Le HAVRE
Getting there: P&O Portsmouth operates up to three sailings a day using Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth cruise ferries. Crossing time is 5hrs 30mins in the day, 8hrs 30mins overnight. Fares – five-day return for a car and up to nine passengers from £100. Inside cabins (one way) from £32 per cabin.
Shopping: the town centre revolves around a few semi-pedestrianised streets fanning out towards the port from the Avenue Foch, but there is also a long shopping street about 10mins walk away, along the Rue Reny Cote and Rue Marechal Joffre. A better choice is to head for the nearby Espace Coty commercial centre, which opened in October. Nicolas, a famous Le Havre wine shop, has moved here, and the Boulangerie Paul is well worth a visit. For a real treat visit the adjoining Restaurant Paul. The service and bread is superb. Monoprix supermarket in Espace Coty (Rue Casimir Perrier) has a good choice of Normandy cheese such as Livarot and Camembert. For out-of-town wine and beer shopping, Auchan is the place to go. About 10mins from the town centre, at Mont Gaillard, it has a huge selection of wine at prices from 70p a bottle. There is also a wine and beer company, near the ferry terminal.
Restaurants: Le Havre has more than 250 restaurants, ranging from traditional French fare to Vietnamese, Swiss, Chinese and Mexican. There are also several restaurants that specialise in food from the Antilles. Head to the part bounded by Rue du Faidherbe and Quai de Lamblardie for a big choice in a compact area. A word of warning: very few have menus in English.
Family: Del Arte, Espace Coty shopping centre. Pizza and pasta restaurant with friendly service. Pizzas from £3.90, risotto Toscano, £5.40, child’s menu, £3.70.
Romantic: Le Creole, Rue du Faidherbe. Small menu but cosy surroundings. Starters from £3.50; chicken in curry sauce or pork in Caribbean sauce £6.50.
Speciality: Creperie Bretonne, Rue Jean de la Fontaine. Very popular. Cheese crepes, £1.50, mussels/mushrooms/tomato crepe, £2.70, apple/creme/calvados crepe £2.70, chocolate crepe, £1.50.
Attractions: Musee Malraux, 2 Boulevard Clemenceau. Paintings by Boudin, Monet and Dufy. Entry £2.50 adults, free for under-18s. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Rue de Paris. Dates back to the 16th century. Inside is a recently restored organ presented to the cathedral by Cardinal Richelieu in 1630. Entry free.
Town walks: choice of six 2hr walks looking at Le Havre architecture. Various meeting points. Adults £3; children £2.