Discover Le Havre

Surprisingly, Le Havre has become a phenomenon, a curiosity since 2005.

The Porte Océane (Ocean Gate) is back in the spotlight again. Filmmakers love its graphic appearance, while tourists can discover its modernity and cultural potential. It’s becoming a trend. And finally, we can see that it’s a great place to be.

Le Havre - architecture classified as World Heritage

Le Havre is a city of builders. Listed in 2005 as a World Heritage Site for the modernity of its reconstruction.

It then saw big names such as Oscar Niemeyer and Jean Nouvel deliver up buildings (Volcan, Bains des Docks Aquatic Centre) which have become iconic. And that’s not the end of it. The reclamation of land formerly connected with port activity offers some great perspectives.

To fully understand this city, you have to start by visiting the Perret show apartment. A jump back in time is guaranteed.

A showcase for the designers of the 50s whose shapes still inspire architects today, this apartment offers highly contemporary rooms and a modern layout, with a surprising amount of light.

You’ll love it!

A panorama of the city

After that, climb up to the 17th floor of the Town Hall tower to better understand the geography of the city. The panorama is breathtaking. You can see the white curves of Niemeyer’s Volcan (theatre and library), Avenue Foch (the Champs Elysées of Le Havre) leading to the twin towers of the Porte Océane and of course the lantern tower of the Church of St Joseph, one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture.

After that, if you want to finish in style and relax, plunge into one of the pools of the Bains des Docks Aquatic Centre (Jean Nouvel) for a truly wonderful surprise.

The MuMa (Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux)

Opposite the port piers, the first museum rebuilt after the war, originally designed as a museum – Maison de la Culture, inaugurated in 1961 by André Malraux, this building still combines elegance and modernity sixty years after its opening. Its Impressionist collections (the result of acquisitions, legacies, gifts and donations) are the second-largest in France after those of the Orsay. Fauvism is also fully represented: Dufy, Friesz, Marquet, Derain, Van Dongen… Needless to say, visiting is a must.

Le Havre, a beach in the city

The beach: at the end of the tram line, it’s a dream, isn’t it? Located 800 metres from the town centre, it comes alive from spring to autumn. It takes on all its colours thanks to the presence of huts and restaurants. You can practise sports from canoe to stand-up paddle, from kite surfing to BMX and skateboard, and can even play boules! It’s a great place to be, lounging in the deckchairs on the terraces, watching a liner head off, marked by the three siren calls of the Port Watch.

Green in all its forms

You don’t have to run off to the country to go green. The City of Le Havre has two green lungs: the Forest of Montgeon (270 hectares), partly laid out for sport and relaxation, and Rouelles Park (160 hectares) for walking and discovering its fauna and flora. Beyond that, there’s exotic green in the Japanese garden, a symbol of the twinning of the ports of Le Havre and Osaka. In terms of history and travel, we have the Hanging Gardens, an old converted military fort, paying tribute to the botanists and explorers and their discoveries. Finally, in the heart of the city, the St Roch, Erignac and Holker Squares bring their own touches of greenery.

Le Havre, a way of life

Le Havre, with its geographical diversity, its wealth of history and heritage, has more than fifteen festivals where literature, music and dance take centre stage.

“Le Goût des Autres” (The Taste of Others) welcomes writers from around the world to share their books and beliefs with the public.

“Le polar à la plage” celebrates noir fiction, “Dixie Days” is all about jazz by the sea, “MoZ’aïque” echoing the port, the crossroads of the worlds, has become a festival of world music, “Ouest Park”, a 100% western feast combining rock, rap, electro … not forgetting the last one, the “festival béton” (concrete festival).

The redeveloped Southampton Quay has become the trendy venue, the beach is the place to be for six months, while the Halles Centrales are the temple of gastronomy and local products.

Practical

Le Havre Etretat Tourisme
186 Boulevard Clemenceau
Le Havre - 02 32 74 04 04