Le Havre

Understand

Le Havre, originally le Havre de Grâce (Harbour of Grace), was founded in the early 16th century at the mouth of the Seine as the main harbour for Paris. Goods transferred at Le Havre between ocean-going vessels and barges which went to and from Paris via the Seine.

Le Havre was heavily bombed during the Battle of Normandy in 1944. The reconstruction of the town was undertaken by Auguste Perret using reinforced concrete. This project has led to the city being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Get around

The centre of town is easily covered on foot.

A local bus service runs regularly around town.

The ferry port and train station are a short walk out from the centre of town and buses run on these routes.

Rent a bike for a few euros at the tourist office or at the bus parked along the beach during the season.

See

thumb|right|100px|Maison de l'armateur thumb|right|150px|Church Saint-Vincent The view of the port (bassin du commerce) with its lovely bridge and both the Volcano and steeple of St Joseph's church in the background. Nice both in the day or at night. On the north quay, the casino (gambling, fine restaurants, hotel, spa). St Vincent district is an old district near the beach which didn't suffer too much from the terrible bombings that flattened the city in 1944 and in which 5,000 people died in the ruins in a few hours. The little church and the square around it evoke a village atmosphere in southern France. During the season, painters gather on the square and give an impression of "Montmartre". Take the funiculaire (cable car) for an easy climb to Le Havre's upper plateau. From the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), it’s a 7-minute walk (600 metres) along avenue René Coty to the lower terminal is located on rue Gustave-Flaubert (corner rue du Docteur-Vigné). A one-way ticket costs €0.40. Once at the top, turn right from the upper terminal (heading east), along rue Félix-Faure, another 7-minute walk (500 metres) brings you to a superbly panoramic view of the beautiful city and its harbour. You can return down the Escalier Olivier-Senn, then stroll through narrow historic streets, zig-zagging back to the city center. Returning to the lower terminal takes about 12 minutes, all downhill. thumb|150x150px|Cathedral

Do

Climb the tower of Hotel de Ville for an overview of August Perret's planned city. Enjoy the beach in good weather (restaurants, bars, night life). Relax in the glow of the unique St Joseph's Church. Drive over the River Seine on the gorgeous bridge . Then you will be in Honfleur, one of Normandy's prettiest places. Enjoy a walk in the posh residential area of Ste Adresse overlooking the Le Havre bay and enjoy nice views of the bay and the city Visit the port, whether on a boat or by bike: more information in many languages from the tourist office situated along the beach. Rent a bike at the tourist office for a couple of euros and enjoy the seafront and the city centre at its best. You can also ride to Harfleur (eastern suburb) which is a lovely medieval town! Montivilliers, a few miles away is also worth a visit. Nice abbey and town center. After the beach, enjoy a forest in the middle of the city: . (fort de Sainte Adresse). Lovely walled garden and greenhouse in an old fort overlooking the city and the sea. Nice views! A nice walk on the walls! Football: Le Havre AC were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in Ligue 1, the French top tier. Their home ground is (capacity 25,000) 5 km east of city centre.

Buy

Normandy is famous for its cider and its cheese. Go to (south of the city centre near the pedestrian area and volcano), a covered market where you will find a selection of little shops selling excellent products (vegetables, cheese, meat, bakeries, wine, cider, and a small supermarket). You can buy local products in one of the seasonal sheds along the beach and at the tourist office. Chocolates "la tour" (the tower) (near Espace Coty - Coty Mall). Fresh fish from the fishermen (fish market) Opposite the ferry, in front of "maison de l'armateur" on "quai de l'ile" (island quay).

Eat

Quartier St-François offers a great selections of different restaurants (style, nationality and prices). A lot of "crêperies" (French pancakes).

A selection of fine restaurants is to be found everywhere in the city (the casino is one of the best "Le Havre des sens"). More information at the tourist office.

Drink

Quartier St-François is also home to several bars In the city centre, and the beach.

Sleep

All sorts of hotels are to be found like in another French big city.

Go next

You can reach from Le Havre any part of Normandy in any direction in less than 2 hr, including the famous Mont Saint-Michel.

To the north: Étretat and its exceptional natural site (beautiful white cliffs). (25 km) Fécamp and its "Bénédictine Palace" where the famous liquor is made and also has a nice little town with a long beach and a little port. (40 km) Veules les Roses is a charming village along the shortest river in France. Lovely houses and a nice beach. (65 km) Dieppe is an important fishing port and a lovely seaside resort. (100 km)

To the south: Honfleur is a little 17th century harbour. (25 km) Beuvron en Auge is a lovely picturesque village. (35 km) Lisieux has a cathedral and basilica. (55 km)

To the west: Caen has a World War II memorial (90 km) Bayeux has the medieval tapestry and is near the famous landing beaches (115 km)

To the east: Harfleur and Montivilliers are eastern suburbs suburb of Le Havre. (15 km) Marais Vernier is a village of thatched cottages. (40 km) Pont Audemer is a nice little town with canals. (45 km)