Paris day trip: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise

See Paris in one day from your cruise ship, with a guide who knows the city's rhythms

A full-day shore excursion from Le Havre to Paris with an English-speaking guide, covering the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Notre-Dame de Paris, and a Seine River Cruise. Pickup starts 30 minutes after your ship arrives. The tour is timed to get you back to the cruise terminal with time to spare. Choose between a guided tour with all stops and a self-guided option if you prefer to explore on your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. 8th Arrondissement30m
2. Eiffel Tower30m
3. Place de la Concordepassing by
4. 4th Arrondissement20m
5. 1st Arrondissement1h · entry included
6. Le Havre Cruise Port3h

Full-day Paris sightseeing tour

• Board coach at Le Havre port
• Travel three hours to Paris
• Meet English-speaking guide in Paris
• Visit Arc de Triomphe
• View Eiffel Tower from Place du Trocadero
• Pass by Place de la Concorde
• Admire Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior
• Enjoy Seine River Cruise
• Return three hours to Le Havre port

The experience

The coach leaves Le Havre and crosses the Norman countryside for three hours before your guide meets you in Paris. That distance is the trade-off for reaching the city's core attractions without the stress of arranging your own transport. The operator has timed the whole day to sync with cruise arrivals and departures, so you board knowing you'll make it back to the ship. The guide joins you once you arrive in the city and stays with you through each stop.

You'll stand at the Arc de Triomphe where twelve avenues radiate outward, then move to Place du Trocadero for the classic view of the Eiffel Tower: the spot where the best photographs happen. From there the route takes you through Place de la Concorde, nestled between the Tuileries Garden and the Champs-Élysées, before you see the exterior of the newly restored Notre-Dame de Paris and its Gothic stonework. The day ends on the Seine River Cruise, where you float past the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Île Saint-Louis, and the Palais Royal from the water. The riverboat is comfortable and the views stack up without walking.

The self-guided option removes the English-speaking guide and the river cruise, leaving you free to move through Paris on your own. The guided version keeps both. Either way, transportation and pickup are included, and the operator has run these excursions for two decades. The timing is built to work with cruise schedules, not against them. Check your email 12 hours before departure for your exact pickup location and time, since the start varies depending on when your ship docks.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at Le Havre cruise terminal.
• comfortable air-conditioned coach for the three-hour drive each way.
• English-speaking guide in Paris (guided option only).
• Seine River Cruise with views of the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower and Palais Royal (guided option only).
• 24/7 customer support.
• guaranteed timely return to your ship.

Options for this experience

3 options

Self-guided ExplorationGuide in English · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:30Lasts 10 hours. Covers transportation only: this tour option does not include a guide, a river cruise, or transportation within Paris. Pickup is included.

Deluxe shore excursion to Paris from Le HavreGuide in English · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:30Includes pickup

Deluxe shore excursion, privateGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 09:30Individual tour, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 09:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by European Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Book the guided tour if you want context and stories as you move through each landmark. Choose self-guided if you prefer to set your own pace through Paris and skip the river cruise. The fixed itinerary and timed return are what make a full Paris day fit inside a single port call without the anxiety of coordinating your own transport back to the ship.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the coach ride from Le Havre to Paris?

The drive takes three hours each way. You'll cross the Norman countryside on the outbound journey, then return to the cruise port after your day in the city ends.

What exactly do I see at the Eiffel Tower?

You visit Place du Trocadero, the viewpoint across from the tower where the most recognizable photographs are taken. This is a viewing and photo spot, not an ascent of the tower itself.

Does the Seine River Cruise come with the self-guided option?

No. The self-guided option includes only transportation and pickup. The guided tour includes both the English-speaking guide throughout Paris and the Seine River Cruise at the end of the day.

What if my ship arrives late? Will the tour still leave on time?

Tours depart 30 minutes after ship arrival, so the timing adjusts to when you dock. Confirm your exact pickup time by checking your email at least 12 hours before the activity. The operator will send the precise location, signage, and time.

Is Notre-Dame open to go inside?

The tour includes viewing the exterior of the newly renovated Notre-Dame de Paris and its restored Gothic stonework and façade. Interior access is not part of this excursion.

Will I have time to eat or shop during the day?

The itinerary is structured to cover all major sites and return you to the ship on schedule. Île Saint-Louis, which you pass on the river cruise, is known for boutique shops and cafes, though food and drinks are not included in the tour price.