Shore Excursions in France: 11 to Choose Between

1.D-Day Beaches Shore Excursion from Le Havre with Packed Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 486 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $119Our pick

Travel from Le Havre to Normandy with an English-speaking guide such as Bertrand, Ash, or Sam. Visit the German Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery, with time to walk, reflect, and eat a homemade baguette lunch. The 10-hour trip returns to the cruise port.

“Great tour, guide was wonderful. If you haven’t been to Normandie, Would recommend. Went to several key places.”

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2.Marseille Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Tour of Marseille

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 321 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $96

This four-hour Marseille shore excursion covers Notre-Dame de la Garde, Palais Longchamp, Abbaye Saint-Victor, Porte d’Aix, Four des Navettes, and the Old Port. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, then get free time in the harbor district. Guides such as Paco, Aziz, Mario, and Mariano have earned especially strong praise.

“Aziz was a great guide. His English was easy to understand. His knowledge of the area and history added a lot to the tour. A good overview of top spots in the city and sense of the city.”

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3.Marseille Shore Excursion: Half Day Tour of Marseille by Electric Bike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 234 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $89Best value

Ride an electric bike through Marseille with guides such as Pauline, Melanie, Gaby, and Eric. In four hours, you visit Notre Dame de la Garde, the Old Port, Palais du Pharo, Vallon des Auffes, Panier, Joliette, and the Corniche Kennedy. Port pickup and return make this a practical cruise-day choice, but you must be comfortable riding near traffic.

“this is the second time we arrived by cruise ship with friends and had another fantastic time! If you have a day in Marseille, this is a great way to enjoy the many wonderful sights. The electric bikes are easy to ride and everyone enjoyed the day. Highly recommended. They added a small coffee shop since our last visit and the coffee was perfect.”

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4.Drive by cabriolet from Marseille cruise port to cassis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 208 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.)

Follow Denis and his team in a classic VW cabriolet from Marseille’s cruise port to Cassis and La Ciotat. You’ll cruise the Corniche, stop at Cap Canaille and the calanques, and have time for lunch or shopping in Cassis. Photos and short video clips are often part of the day, weather permitting.

“What a special and unique experience in Marseille and Cassis. Denis and his daughter Virginia were absolutely the most fun tour guides. So much fun tooling through the winding streets and national park driving your convertible and taking in all the best the south of France has to offer. They took us to such beautiful and panoramic spots. A trip to remember. Thanks Denis and Virginia for giving us such a wonderful day!”

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5.Marseille: Half-Day E-Bike Tour from Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 201 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $93

Meet your guide at the cruise port, ride a shuttle to the bike shop, then set out by e-bike for Marseille’s Old Port, MuCEM, Pharo Palace, Vallon des Auffes, and Notre Dame de la Garde. Guides such as Louis, Raphael, Cindy, and Ann-Sophie lead small groups of up to eight. Expect easy pedaling, city traffic, steep hills, and a port return shuttle.

“Tour was excellent, we came in from a cruise ship and many of the other people who did excursions booked through the cruise ship didn’t see 1/2 of what we did. Our tour guide was awesome, super knowledgeable of all the history which was impressive as he had only lived in France for 8 months”

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6.6-Hour Private French Riviera Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 107 reviews · 6 hours

Meet your multilingual driver-guide at Cannes port for a six-hour private van tour along the French Riviera. See Nice viewpoints, medieval Eze and its Fragonard perfumery, Monaco Cathedral and Palace, Monte Carlo, and part of the Formula 1 circuit. Guides such as David, Jack, Frank, and Yves can adjust the route when traffic gets tight.

“went with wife, and our 3 adult and their spouses. Jack was great! Recommended midevil towns. The places we wanted to go to would have had too much traffic. He was a safe and courteous driver. Made us feel very comfortable all day. Thank you Jack!!!!!”

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7.From Le Havre: D-Day Beaches Shore Trip with Packed Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 101 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $147

Spend 9 to 10 hours touring Normandy’s D-Day sites from Le Havre with an English or French-speaking guide. You’ll visit Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, La Cambe German War Cemetery, and the American Cemetery. Guides such as Sam, Ash, Norman, Bertrand, and Bert are noted for clear storytelling. A baguette lunch, water, port pickup, and return are included.

“Sam was amazing. Easily the most well educated guide I have ever had. His knowledge of the history and the area was excellent. It was a very emotional day for me and his explanations were very appreciated. Posting as Robert’s wife…Thank you!”

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8.From Le Havre: Paris with River Cruise Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 99 reviews · 10 - 11 hours · from $222

Travel from Le Havre to Paris by air-conditioned coach, meet a local guide near the Eiffel Tower, cruise the Seine, and see the Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs-Élysées. Guides such as Amir, Maarten, Martin, Amber, and Karine have earned strong praise for clear, lively commentary. Entry to attractions is not included.

“Very nice bus tour of Paris, with stops for photos at the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triumph. We had a couple of hours free time in the Arch de Triumph area for shopping and dining. Daniel, our guide provided excellent commentary on the sites we were passing.”

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9.The best French Riviera Full-Day from Cannes Small-Group Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $155

Travel from Cannes in an air-conditioned minivan with up to eight people, stopping at Antibes, St-Paul-de-Vence, Èze, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and the Cannes Film Festival Palace. Your guide handles the Riviera roads, explains the sights, and gives you free time to explore. Expect a full, active day with lunch and entrance fees extra.

“See several towns between stops. Driver very knowledgeable. Worth the money to capture key moments on the French Riviera.”

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10.Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Day Trip to Monaco and Eze

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $487

From Cannes port, a private Mercedes minivan takes you to medieval Eze and Monaco. Expect a Fragonard perfume visit, Monte Carlo’s casino district, a drive around the Formula One circuit, and time in Monaco-Ville. Guides such as Laurent, Catherine, Pierre, and Giorgio have earned high marks for flexibility and time management.

“We booked a private tour from Cannes to Monaco and E'ze. Adreienne was our driver and we absolutely LOVED her. She was flexible to make sure we spent time where we wanted, and she even spent some time going up Eze with us. She is happy to give time on your own or spend time with you. She is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with. I felt bad that I wasn't feeling 100% but she made everything comfortable for me. Highly recommend this tour!”

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11.Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Tour of the French Riviera

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Spend about eight hours with a private driver-guide exploring the Riviera from Cannes. Visit Eze and its Fragonard perfume factory, La Turbie, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Cannes. Guides such as Jerome, Ingrid, Rene, Roman and Margarita are praised for flexible routing, local stories and careful port timing.

“Roman was amazing! He was organized friendly and great communication! We were able to see all of the beautiful surroundings with his direction on a relaxed pace. He recommended a local restaurant in Monaco that was magical and delicious! Such a wonderful day!”

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