{"id":2720,"date":"2011-02-28T22:54:46","date_gmt":"2011-03-01T05:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?page_id=2720"},"modified":"2016-06-29T08:11:42","modified_gmt":"2016-06-29T14:11:42","slug":"le-havre","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/city-guide\/europe-city-guides\/france-city-guides\/le-havre\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Havre, France"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lovely Le Havre<\/h1>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n
\"ebuilt<\/a>

ebuilt following severe bombing in World War II, Le Havre, France is a modern-day marvel. \u00a9 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

Originally founded in 1517 by King Francis I, Le Havre quickly became a popular trading port between the West Indies and France and Europe. Its name in English literally means \u201cthe harbor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Le Havre was almost completely destroyed in September 1944 during World War II, obliterating more than 80 percent of the city center and devastating the port. But the past few last decades have been good to this beautiful port located at the mouth of the Seine.<\/p>\n

In 2005, World heritage organization UNESCO added the historic city center to its prestigious list of protected sites, marking the first time a modern 20th century European city has made the list. This revitalization owes much to Auguste Perret, who rebuilt the city center in the new modernist style, transforming it into a shining example of post-war planning and construction.<\/p>\n

While the city has grown to be an extremely popular port of call for many oceangoing cruise ships, it remains a relatively new port for river cruise vessels, but one which is likely to grow in popularity thanks to its prime location at the mouth of the Seine and with convenient access to historic Normandy.<\/p>\n

Le Havre also has the distinction of being the deepest ocean port in all of France.<\/p>\n

Your River Cruise Ship Docks \u2026<\/h2>\n

Your river cruise ship will tie up at one of two dedicated docking areas: Quai des Antilles or Quai des Marseille, both of which are located in roughly the same area of Le Havre\u2019s Inner Docks.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been to Le Havre before on a more traditional cruise ship, you\u2019ll notice that the larger oceangoing ships must tie up farther away at Pointe de Floride. Instead, river cruise vessels visiting the port are able to tie up near the fashionable new shopping center, Les Docks Vauban<\/a>, right in the heart of Le Havre\u2019s port district.<\/p>\n

Your river cruise ship will call on Le Havre for at least a full day, and some cases, two, three or even six days, leaving you plenty of time to explore this fascinating city.<\/p>\n

When in Le Havre \u2026<\/h2>\n

Le Havre\u2019s old dock area has recently been revitalized, and as you disembark from your river cruise vessel, you can find a multitude of shopping and dining experiences right in the heart of the port itself, including the newly opened shopping center, Les Docks Vauban.<\/p>\n

An information desk for Le Havre Tourism<\/a> can also be found here.<\/p>\n

While the city lost many of its historic buildings to the bombings of World War II, Le Havre still offers some impressive attractions.<\/p>\n