Le Havre (Paris)

Le Havre is France's main cruise port for reaching Paris, which is about 2-2.5 hours away by train from the nearby station. The city itself was almost entirely rebuilt after WWII by architect Auguste Perret, and the concrete apartment blocks and churches earned UNESCO status for their cohesive modernist design. Saint-Joseph Church, with its 107-metre tower, is the standout building. The port area has shuttles running to the city centre. Honfleur, across the Seine estuary, is about 30 minutes by bus and has a picturesque harbour, timber-framed houses, and cobbled streets. The cliffs at Étretat, further along the coast, have dramatic natural arches and are popular for walking. Rouen, about 90 minutes away, has its medieval half-timbered old town and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame that Monet painted repeatedly. For food, try mussels marinières and tarte aux pommes. The currency is the euro.