Bonjour, Paris!

Our ship docks in Le Havre on the coast of Normandy, but we already know where we want to go on this port day—Paris and the Eiffel Tower!

Paris is approximately 2½–3 hours from Le Havre by road, so this will be a long day, but with our extended 7:00 AM–9:00 PM port time, we have an opportunity to experience one of the world's great cities.

And if you've never stood beneath the Eiffel Tower before, this seems like a pretty good time to fix that!

Our Paris wish list:

• Eiffel Tower — This is our #1 priority. Whether we simply take in the views from the Champ de Mars or have enough time to go up the tower will depend on the excursion and ticket options available for our sailing.
• Seine River — If timing allows, a Seine cruise is a wonderful way to see several Paris landmarks without spending the entire day walking from one to another.
• Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées — Two of the city's most recognizable sights and easy additions to a panoramic tour of Paris.
• Notre-Dame Cathedral — One of Paris's most important landmarks and once again open to visitors following its restoration.
• A Little Taste of Paris — Croissants, macarons, crêpes, a café terrace... we're going to France. We need to eat something French!🥐

Good to know: Paris is a significant distance from the cruise port, so this is not a day I would recommend winging it.

Once NCL and our excursion partners release their options, we'll look carefully at transportation, sightseeing time, Eiffel Tower access, and—most importantly—the return-to-ship schedule before deciding on the best plan.

If going inside or up the Eiffel Tower is important to you, don't assume that every “Paris” excursion includes admission. Many tours may stop near the tower for photos without including timed entry.

We'll make sure we know exactly what's included before booking.

Prefer to stay closer to the ship? Le Havre is also a gateway to Normandy. Beautiful Honfleur, the dramatic cliffs of Étretat, and the historic D-Day landing beaches are all possible alternatives for travelers who would rather explore the region than spend several hours traveling to and from Paris.

Kim's pick: No mystery on this one—I'm going to Paris! 😂 The Eiffel Tower is on my list, and with a port day this long, I'm willing to spend the travel time to finally stand underneath it. Once excursions are released, we'll figure out the smartest way to make it happen without stressing about getting back to the ship.