Whatever the age of your children, you can find suitable playgrounds in downtown Le Havre. Here’s our selection to make sure your kids have a great time, and you too.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Playgrounds in Le Havre
Whether you’re visiting this cruise port for the day, or choosing to spend a holiday in Le Havre, we’ve listed the children’s play areas available in downtown Le Havre.
You can find different styles for different ages.
If you go to the forest or other neighborhoods, there’s even more choice.
1. Aire de la Digue Nord (with water jets in summer)
Location
At the southern tip of the beach.
Near esplanade de la Porte Océane / esplanade de la plage.
Behind 195 Bd Clemenceau, 76600 Le Havre
Play equipment / size / floor
It’s a fairly extensive play area, with 3 distinct play zones:
Playground for 3 to 6 year-olds
The area is surrounded by a fence.
The soil is a coarse-grained sand.
There are a dozen or so games suitable for young children: swings, small slides, spring-loaded games…
Playground for the over-6s
The area is not surrounded by a fence.
The ground is covered with small gravels.
The area is quite large, with plenty of play options: several slides, huts and high play areas.
Water jets (in summer)
In summer, there’s also a circular area with water jets that operate during the day.
No information on days and times.
No fence around it.
Practical advice
- There is no protection against rain or sun.
- There are plenty of options for benches and grassy areas, to sit around and watch.
- There are public toilets next to the children’s play area.
- Access free of charge.
- Open 9am to 5pm in winter and 9am to 8pm in winter.
2. Town hall playground (partly covered)
Location
Place de l’hôtel de ville, 76600 Le Havre
Just in front of the town hall tower.
Play equipment / size / floor
The playground is designed for children aged 3 to 6.
The floors are made of shock-absorbing materials to ensure children’s safety.
The playground offers playful, aesthetically pleasing equipment, without height, with small slides, tunnels, bouncing and rotating games.
Practical advice
- Part of the play area is covered by a roof, offering protection from the rain or sun.
- There are benches all around, so you can sit back and watch.
- Access free of charge.
- Open 9am to 5pm in winter and 9am to 8pm in winter.
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3. Mid-beach play area
Location
Along the pebbles is a promenade. In the middle of this promenade is a playground.
Play equipment / size / floor
For children over 6.
No fence around the area.
High play equipment such as climbing and nets.
The soil is made of small gravels.
Practical advice
- There is no protection against rain or sun.
- There are plenty of options for benches and grassy areas, to sit around and watch.
- Bars and restaurants nearby in summer.
- Access free of charge.
4. Kennedy Square playground
Location
Not far from La Catène, a work of art made of colorful containers.
Crossroads of Chaussée John Kennedy and Bd François 1er, 76600 Le Havre
Across the street from the playground with the spider.
Play equipment / size / floor
The playground is suitable for children of different ages, typically from 3 to 6.
You’ll find huts, tunnels, a small slide, spring-loaded games and a mini-run.
The floors are made of shock-absorbing materials to ensure children’s safety.
The area is surrounded by a fence.
Practical advice
- The play area is in the open air, with no protection from rain or sun.
- There are a few benches around to sit and watch.
- Access free of charge.
- 7am to 8pm in summer, 8am to 6pm in winter.
WHERE TO STAY IN Le Havre
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront:
Hilton Hotel with its modern decor and balconies – see prices, photos and availability.
Downtown, in the heart of Perret architecture:
Hôtel Pasino, for ultra-spacious rooms – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Vent d’Ouest, a charming place to stay – See prices, photos and availability
5. Nelson Mandela play area (Spider’s web)
Location
Not far from La Catène, a work of art made of colorful containers.
Esplanade Nelson Mandela, 76600 Le Havre.
Opposite the Kennedy Square playground.
Play equipment / size / floor
This is a playground for older children, aged 8 to 12.
The floors are made of shock-absorbing materials.
There are swings with beautiful amplitudes, and above all a large spider’s web for those who like to climb.
The area is not surrounded by a fence.
Practical advice
- The playground is in the open air, so there’s no protection from the rain or sun. But there is a little shade thanks to the trees.
- There are benches all around to sit and watch.
- Access free of charge.
- 7am to 8pm in summer, 8am to 6pm in winter.
6. Square Saint-Roch playground
Location
Inside Square Saint-Roch, hidden in the trees.
Entrance near the park’s southeastern tip.
Square Saint-Roch is located at 44 Avenue Foch, 76600 Le Havre, France
Play equipment / size / floor
Playground for 3 to 6 year-olds.
The floor is a mixture of earth and shock-absorbing materials.
You’ll find spring-loaded games and a mini-climbing course.
The play area is surrounded by a fence
Practical advice
- The playground is in the open air, so there’s no protection from the rain or sun. But there is a little shade thanks to the trees.
- Public toilets in the park.
- There are a few benches around to sit and watch.
- Access free of charge.
- 7am to 8pm in summer, 8am to 6pm in winter.
7. Beach Skatepark
Location
On the beach esplanade.
Play equipment / size / floor
600 m² de street with inclined planes adapted to all levels.
A 1200 m² bowl with bumps, curbs, snakes and hips
Authorized for skateboards, BMX, rollerblades and scooters.
All ages and levels are welcome.
Concrete floor.
Practical advice
- The play area is in the open air, with no protection from rain or sun.
- Access free of charge.
- Authorized from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Albert René playground
Location
Right next to the Lycée Porte Océane. Opposite 59 rue Richelieu.
Play equipment / size / floor
If you want to teach your children to ride a road bike in complete safety. This park, which is surrounded by a fence, has made representations of roads with traffic circles, stop signs, crosswalks and different situations.
If you have bikes, you can go there to explain the rules and practice.
There are also a few sand games for toddlers.
Practical advice
- The playground is in the open air, so there’s no protection from the rain or sun. But there is a little shade thanks to the trees.
- There are a few benches around to sit and watch.
- Access free of charge.
- 7am to 8pm in summer, 8am to 6pm in winter.
Basketball and soccer pitches
On the waterfront, not far from the Muma Museum, you’ll also find basketball and soccer pitches.
If you have balloons, you can take advantage of them.
Art Sport Café (not downtown)
It’s not in the center of town, but in case of rain or hot weather, we wanted you to know about it.
It’s a pay-per-use indoor play area.
There are adventure courses on 4 levels, slides, a ball pool, a toboggan run, a zip line, monkey bridges, an electric go-kart and motorcycle track, and a climbing tower.
Location: 8 Rue Marcel Toulouzan, 76600 Le Havre
