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CRUISING TO NORTHERN FRANCE:


GOING ASHORE

TO PARIS  
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Notre Dame, Paris, France
Paris is one of the world's great cities.  It is important for its history, art, architecture, fashion, and its lifestyle.  It also happens to be the capital of France.  There are a million things to see and do in 
Paris.

Although cruise brochures often list Paris as being on the itinerary.  The cruise ports in Normandy are actually a significant distance from Paris.  It can take from two to over three hours to get to Paris from the coast and the same amount of time to return.  That does not leave much time for actually being in Paris during a typical cruise ship port call.



Batteaux mouche, Paris, France
Nonetheless, one can have a rewarding experience in Paris.  The shore excursions generally take the guests past the city's major landmarks and then focus with stops at one or two such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.  Some will offer a lunch of the Seine on a batteau moche.

Traveling independently to Paris, one should focus on one attraction rather than try to do everything. Keep in mind that the time is limited.  While the ship will wait for a shore excursion to return, it may not wait for individual passengers.

 Trains from Le Harve take two to two and a half hours to get to Paris' St. Lazare station.  The station in Le Harve is a 20 minute walk from the cruise port but since it is a commercial port, it is sometimes necessary to take a taxi.  Direct trains from Cherbourg take about three hours and 15 minutes and also go to Gare St. Lazare.     

A Tour Of Some Parisian Landmarks

Champs Elyees, Paris, France
The following are some of the landmarks and attractions of Paris that can be experienced during a port call. 

Left: Tour buses inevitably drive down the Champs-Elysées.  This broad main avenue of Paris is a product of the 19th 
Century reconstruction of Paris during which the city was transformed from a medieval city with narrow winding streets to one with broad tree-lined avenues and Belle Epoch buildings.  


Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Above: The Arc de Triomphe at the end of the 
Champs-Elysées.  The Arc was begun under 
Napoleon to commemorate the victories of the 
Grand Armee.  Completed in 1836, it has become a 
symbol of the French nation and is the resting 
place of France's unknown soldier.  It is the largest 
triumphal arch in the world
Not all of the open space in Paris is from 
the 19th Century.  The 
Tuileries 
Garden
 (right) began as a royal garden 
dating back to the time of Catherine de 
Medici.  It became a public park after the 
French Revolution.  
Place Vendome, Paris, France
Another large square is the Place de La Concorde at the eastern end of the Champs Elysees.  It is sometimes said to be the center of Paris.  At its center is the Luxor Obelisk, which once stood in front of the Luxor temple in Egypt.  It was at this peaceful place that some of the 
terrors of the French Revolution took place including the guillotining of the king and queen of France.
Tuileries Garden, Paris, France
The Place Vendome (left) is a large square originally built to honor the conquests of Louis XIV.  However, it is more often associated with Napoleon who erected a large column in the middle of the square to mark his victory at Austerlitz.  Today, the Place Vendome is noted for its exclusive luxury shops.
Place de Concorde, Paris, France
Paris Opera, Paris, France
The Palais Garnier (left), popularly known as the Paris Opera was built in the second half of the 19th Century during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III as part of the great reconstruction of Paris.  An accident with its great chandelier was the inspiration for the story "The Phantom of the Opera."   Although still called the Paris Opera by many, the opera company has not called the building home since 1989.     
River Seine, Paris, France
River Seine, Paris, France
Paris lies on both banks of the River Seine.  The north bank is the traditional home of royalty and commerce.  The south bank or Left Bank is traditionally the more bohemian side.

The river is plied by floating restaurants know as batteau moches.  A favorite tourist attraction, these vessels do provide excellent views of many of the city's landmarks.

Grand Palais, Paris, France
Paris is home to numerous art museums.  The 
Grand Palais
 (left), built for thee Paris World's 
Fair of 1900, is now dedicated to contemporary art.  It is the world's largest ironwork and steel structure. 

Of course Paris is also home to the world's largest and most visited art museum, the Louvre.
(See our profile of the Louvre).
Notre Dame, Paris, France
Notre Dame de Pairs is one of the world's most famous churches.  Located on the of the 
Seine on the Isle de la Cite, where the city of Paris started, the cathedral is intertwined with 
French history.  Generals prayed 
here before going to war, kings and queens (including Mary Queen of Scots) were married here; and Napoleon crowned himself emperor here.

Notre Dame is a Gothic cathedral and is one of the first 
to use flying buttresses to support its outside walls.  It was extensively damaged during the French Revolution.  In the 19th Century, it was considered for demolition but the popularity of Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of 
Notre Dame" led to its being restored instead.  Sadly, Notre Dame was again seriously damaged by a fire in 2019.

Notre Dame, Paris, France
La Madeline, Paris, France
Left: Another famous Parisian church is La Madeleine.  It was conceived of by Napoleon as a tribute to the Grand Armee.  
However, after the fall of Napoleon it was decided that it 
was better used as a church dedicated to Mary Magdalene.

The Hôtel des Invalides was built by King Louis XIV (the Sun King) to house injured soldiers.  It is now best known as the last resting place of Napoleon, whose remains were brought to Paris in 1842 from St. Helena in the Atlantic where he died and was initially buried.

In addition to Napoleon's Tomb, the Invaildes houses the Musée de l'Armée, which has an extensive collection of weapons, uniforms and items related to military history.  
Hotel des Invalides, Paris, France
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
The city's most famous landmark is, of course, the Eiffel Tower.  Built for the Paris World's Fair of  1889, the Tower was controversial when it was first constructed.  However, it has now become a symbol of France and light shows and pyrotechnic displays at the Tower celebrate important moments.  The Tower has two restaurants, a buffet and a champagne bar but its most impressive feature is the panoramic views.     
CLICK BELOW TO GO  TO OUR PAGES ON:
NORTHERN FRANCE OVERVIEW
USEFUL LINKS
THE D-DAY BEACHES
GIVERNY 
THE ALABASTER COAST
HONFLEUR, DEAUVILLE AND MONT SAINT MICHEL
BAYEUX
​
ROUEN
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