You’ve planned a visit to Le Havre and are wondering what to do and see in this great port city so special, yet so endearing?
Confusing, for the architecture designed by Auguste Perret after the war. Inspiring, for the skies that so inspired the Impressionists and that you can admire at the MuMa. Surprising, too, for its unusual sites, such as the hanging gardens installed in a former city fort.
In this article, we’ve selected the best things to do in Le Havre, the city of our birth and heart.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Best things to do in Le Havre
Perret architecture
Although its charm may not jump out at you at first glance, the architecture of the city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
To grasp its subtleties, we recommend strolling along Rue de Paris, which leads from the waterfront to the imposing Hôtel de Ville.
Here, there are no scrolls carved into the stone or half-timbered houses, but rather reinforced concrete buildings, the favorite material of Auguste Perret, the great architect of the reconstruction of a city 82% destroyed in September 1944.
In addition to the American-style layout of the city, with its wide avenues that you’ll enjoy strolling along, take time to admire these shades of concrete: brushed, rough, grey, pinkish (a shade obtained by adding powdered Vosges sandstone to the concrete)!
Each building is built on a highly geometric structure with a 6.24 m spacing between each column (6.24 corresponding to the maximum span and having the advantage of being easily divided by 2, 4, 6…). Each column is connected horizontally by a beam. We’re simply talking aboutpost-and-beam architecture!
To find out more about Le Havre’s architecture, visit the Maison du Patrimoine – Atelier Perret – 181 rue de Paris.
The Perret show apartment
The reconstruction of Le Havre lasted almost 20 years, from 1945 to 1964, a period of innovation and changing lifestyles. Perret’s innovative architecture is also reflected in the interiors, which have been redesigned to offer the best of modernity (garbage chutes, bathrooms with bathtubs, centralized forced-air heating…) to the 30,000 people of Le Havre who lost everything in the bombardments.
Our grandparents were among the first to be rehoused in the post-war period, after several years selling their wares in construction site barracks (they were shopkeepers). We were lucky enough to spend a large part of our youth in a very pleasant Perret apartment.
In 2005, the town had the good idea of offering visitors the chance to explore a show apartment. It corresponds in every respect to those presented to Le Havre residents during the city’s reconstruction, with a reconstruction of the furniture and appliances offered at the time. The aim was to convince the people of Le Havre to succumb to the “charm” of reinforced concrete…
The 50-minute tour takes you back to a time when everything was possible again!
Reservations are strongly recommended, as group sizes are very limited!
WHERE TO STAY IN Le Havre
Option 1: seafront
With beautiful views over the horizon, we recommend it:
- Hilton hotel with modern decor and balconies – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 2: downtown
Surrounded by Perret architecture and works of art, we recommend..:
- 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
Option 3: next to the station
For convenient access to all forms of transport, and modern hotels, choose the station. We recommend..:
- Aparthotel Odalys with modern, practical apartments – see prices, photos and availability.
The MuMa
During your stay, the André Malraux Museum is a must-see.
First and foremost for its building, ideally positioned opposite the entrance to the port, with large windows to delicately bring the skies and light of Normandy into the works of the painters on display. A technical and architectural feat that creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
For its rich collections, mainly around Impressionism and Fauvism. Le Havre, a city that has inspired so many artists, played an important role in the history of these 2 major artistic movements. During your visit, you can admire paintings by Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Raoul Dufy…
Find out more in our full article on the MuMa.
Saint-Joseph church
The Church of St. Joseph is a must-see.
Designed by Auguste Perret, it is the symbol of Le Havre’s post-war renaissance. With its 107-metre-high lantern tower, it is the city’s spiritual and secular beacon.
In addition to the use of reinforced concrete, it will surprise you with its luminous ambience emanating from the 12,768 colored mouth-blown tiles that make up its non-figurative stained glass windows. We strongly recommend that you visit at a time when the sun is shining on the church, so that you can make the most of it.
For more information and photos, see our article on Saint Joseph’s church.
Le Havre Beach
Among Le Havre’s favorite activities, the beach is of course an epicenter and a must-do for all visitors!
In fact, the town is blessed with a long seafront that runs for a full 5 km without you having to cross a single road. Ideal for runners like us and a true paradise for all slide fans.
As you approach the sea, however, you’ll need to learn the secrets of pebble walking. At first, you’ll look like a penguin, but we’ve all been there, so there’s no need to feel ashamed!
Explore to the “end of the world ” at the northern end of the beach. You can discover the limestone cliffs characteristic of the Côte d’Albâtre (the most famous being those atEtretat).
Once again, we’ve put together a comprehensive article on everything you need to know about Le Havre beach (aren’t we kind?).
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Le Havre, city of art: from the container catena to Sarah Bernhardt’s manor house
We end this list of must-sees with a walking tour of the works of art that dot our town’s rich cultural past.
The container catena
This sculpture of 21 containers was created by French artist Vincent Ganivet for the 500th anniversary of the city of Le Havre. With its bright colors and natural setting at the intersection of the port and downtown Perret, it has become Le Havre’s “Eiffel Tower”. To be verified, but surely the most Instagrammed place in Le Havre.
Sculpture “Jusqu’au bout du monde” (To the end of the world)
Now located at the end of the 300-meter-long breakwater that protects Le Havre’s marina, this 6.24-meter-high statue by Fabien Mérelle depicts a father with his daughter looking out towards the horizon. Take the time to watch it silhouetted against the sky and the Perret architecture in the background – it’s magical! A must for our many seaside walks.
UP3 statue
We continue up the waterfront, this time with the work of Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann (L/B), a Swiss-American creative tandem. As an extension of the “porte océane” (a group of 2 buildings at the end of avenue Foch, which opens onto the sea), this work, which was intended to be temporary, has in 5 years become an essential part of the town’s heritage.
We love the play of light and shadow, the multi-dimensional setting that lets you watch the setting sun from different angles.
The regatta pier
Continuing along the seafront, a change of artistic era with the famous “estacade” for regattas. We’re right opposite the Palais des Régates, a favorite haunt of Le Havre’s high society since the late 19th century.
Countless painters have depicted it, from Impressionist Claude Monet to the greatest Fauvist painters (Marquet, Raoul Dufy…).
Sarah Bernhardt’s mansion
If you’re not afraid of a few steps and want to immerse yourself in the crazy atmosphere of Le Havre, climb up to the villa of Sarah Bernhardt, one of the most famous actresses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She’d had this beautiful house built as a residence for her transatlantic voyages.
Where’s the Gouzou?
Another leap forward in time, as street artist Jace brings his favorite character, the Gouzou, to life on various city walls. It has become a constant companion for the people of Le Havre. You can find all Jace’s tags on this page and by clicking on them you’ll get the address where they can be seen!
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
2. Walking in Le Havre
With its wide avenues, long waterfront and invigorating sea air, Le Havre is an exceptional place to stroll (just remember to bring a Kway…). And if you’d like to add a bit of nature to your list of things to do, while staying in the city, we’ve got solutions in Le Havre too!
The orientation table and Nice Havrais
To get a good idea of the layout of downtown Le Havre, we invite you to take a step up to theorientation table halfway up boulevard du Président Félix Faure. If you’re brave, you can get there on foot from the seafront, otherwise there’s plenty of parking out front.
You’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the waterfront and Le Havre city center. If the weather is clear, you can also make out the towns of Honfleur, Deauville and even Caen, which lie on the other side of the mouth of the Seine.
As you climb up, you’ll come across a massive neoclassical building, theDufayel building and the Nice-Havrais building. Built at the beginning of the 20th century to accommodate high society vacationing in Sainte-Adresse, Le Havre’s seaside resort. A special feature of the building’s history is that it housed the Belgian government in exile during World War 1 , making this small commune of just a few thousand inhabitants the capital of Belgium!
Hanging gardens
These gardens are located in the former fortress of Sainte-Adresse and magnificently overlook the lower town of Le Havre, offering a beautiful view of the port and the sea.
Over the 17 hectares, you can admire 3,700 species grouped by continent, a veritable ode to travel. Once again, the natural setting and the object seem to respond to each other, enhancing the experience tenfold!
In addition to the rich plant collections that have earned it the “jardin remarquable et botanique” label, two contemporary works of art are on view in spring and summer. A friendly tearoom invites you to take a well-deserved break!
The Montgeon forest
Our shopkeeper grandparents used to come here for Sunday strolls in search of peace and quiet. This 270-hectare forest is truly integrated into the city, and in addition to its lush natural surroundings, it offers a wide range of activities for sports enthusiasts (running, of course, but also cycling, acrobranches…).
Almost entirely returned to pedestrian use over the years, it is now more than ever a protected area, accessible by tramway from the town center.
Saint Roch Square
Change of scale and atmosphere with this small, colorful 2-hectare English-style park in the heart of downtown Le Havre, along the majestic Avenue Foch. Between the small pond, the bandstand and the remarkable tree species, there’s a truly special atmosphere that we love to come and breathe in as the seasons go by.
It is a crossroads for generations of Le Havre residents, with young people preferring the freedom of the lawns and older people the wisdom of the benches…
The 3 dikes promenade
No luxuriant nature this time, but 3 ways to see the sea with this walk that we love:
- The northern breakwater: starting from the end of Le Havre beach, weather permitting, head for the northern breakwater, which protects Le Havre’s outer harbor. To your right, the English Channel, with its sometimes rough seas, and to your left, the marina, whose waters have been calmed by the protection of the sea wall.
- The inner dike: Retracing your steps, continue a little further towards the beach and take the inner dike, which allows you to stroll along the beach, overlooking the beach huts and enjoying the sea.
- The Augustin Normand breakwater: back to the marina with the Augustin Normand breakwater, offering a fine view of Le Havre’s outer harbor and the northern breakwater. At the end of this dike, you can admire the statue “Jusqu’au bout du monde” (“To the end of the world”).
Life in Le Havre
Le Volcan
You can’t miss it when you visit Le Havre. In the heart of downtown, in the extension of the Bassin du Commerce, 2 volcano-shaped buildings, all in white, contrast with the rigorous Perret architecture.
They are the work of the brilliant architect Oscar Niemeyer, responsible for Brazil’s new capital, Brasilia.
Le Volcan not only houses a theater, but also, since 2015, a magnificent library that is the pride of the people of Le Havre. Take the time to explore this space dedicated to culture and open to all. You’ll discover what goes on behind the scenes of these buildings, but also the meticulous decoration that makes the place truly unique and conducive to reading. We love it!!!
Le Havre gourmand
Irrigated both by imports from the port and the rich agricultural production of the surrounding countryside, Le Havre is a great place to eat. We couldn’t fail to mention it in this article on what to do in Le Havre, whatever your scale may think.
The central halls
The Halles centrales, a covered market hall open all day (except Sunday afternoons), is a gourmet stronghold housing 22 top-quality food shops (butchers, fishmongers, fruit and vegetables).
Special mention for the 2 cheese makers, who will help you discover, among other things, the AOPs of Normandy, about which we’ve already written a full article!
Around the halles, opt for the Checa bread from boulangerie Portier, the cocoa-rich chocolates from Maison Auzou (especially their 100%…), and the haute couture cakes from Hautot (which grace all our Sunday meals).
And a special dedication to the spice merchant, who knows how to add depth to all our dishes (did you know there’s such a thing as Breton curry?).
Roasters
If you’re a coffee lover visiting Le Havre, take the time to visit one of our roasters.
The world ‘ s leading coffee-importing port since 1815, and even number one until the 1930s, the city has preserved its roasting expertise.
Take the time to push open the door of the Duchossoy burner, installed in Le Havre since 1950, which offers a wide range of products. You might prefer one of Le Havre’s newest coffee shops, Ombra Coffee Roaster , in the pedestrian streets, which has been serving specialty coffees since 2019. Proof that the world of coffee still has a bright future ahead of it!
The only problem is that once you’ve had a taste, it’s hard to go back.
The restaurants
In a UNESCO-listed city, what could be more logical than to try a gastronomic restaurant, whose benefits have also been listed by UNESCO since 2010!
You can either opt for classic French excellence in the restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Jean Luc Tartarin, who has been offering a top-of-the-range gastronomic experience since 2009.
In a few days’ time, we’ll be bringing you our list of restaurants to eat in Le Havre.
In a different style, but just as delicious, we have a soft spot for the Margote , where chef Gauthier Teissère magnifies local produce in a very warm atmosphere.
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Tearooms
Any city with changeable weather is bound to have a wide range of tea rooms! Although we’re a long way from cities like Amsterdam, we do have a few nuggets.
We’re particularly fond of Calice and Mandibule. A small tea room at the very end of Rue de Paris, near La Catène. A veritable creative living space, where we dare to create the most original recipes, mixing influences to the delight of our taste buds. Gourmet, simple and convivial!
The dockside pool
You want to combine sporting activities with architecture when discovering Le Havre. We recommend that you come and try out the swimming pool at the docks in Le Havre.
Located, as its name suggests, on one of Le Havre’s former docks, this aquatic complex is the work of world-renowned French architect Jean Nouvel.
On the sports side, you can enjoy one of the pool’s 10 pools over an area of 5,000m2, including a beautiful 50-meter Olympic pool.
As for the architecture, you’ll love the mosaics and, above all, the decor of the outdoor pool. Lifting your head between 2 fathoms, admire Le Havre’s changing skyline through the concrete frame that magnifies it. And that’s not even mentioning the pleasures of swimming at sunset…
Oceane Stadium
As we’ve already told you, Le Havre has left its mark on the country’s cultural and sporting history.
As the gateway to Anglo-Saxon sports on the continent, it contributed to the emergence of rugby and soccer in France. Along with Havre Athéltique Club (HAC ), it is one of France’s oldest soccer clubs, fluctuating between the 1st and2nd French divisions.
Since 2012, Le Havre has had an original 25,000-seat stadium, the Stade Océane, recognizable by its blue envelope, the color of HAC!
If you’d like to discover this temple to Le Havre’s sporting culture, you can either come and have lunch there, or let yourself be tempted by one of the 20 rooms in its 4-star hotel.
Religious buildings
In addition to Saint Joseph’s Church, which we’ve already mentioned in our must-see list, we’d like to suggest 3 other very different buildings to see during your stay in Le Havre.
Notre-Dame du Havre Cathedral
Often confused with Saint-Joseph church, Notre-Dame du Havre cathedral is less than 800 m from rue de Paris. This modest edifice (compared to the other Normandy cathedrals featured in this article) blends the architectural styles of the 16th and 17th centuries (from late flamboyant Gothic to early Classicism).
Although battered by the city’s various conflicts over the centuries, it is one of the few buildings that Auguste Perret didn’t completely raze to the ground during Le Havre’s post-war reconstruction.
Perhaps this is why it was elevated to Cathedral status in 1974 by Pope Paul VI. If you’d like to find out more about this building with its rich history, we’ve put together a comprehensive article on the Catéhrale Notre Dame du Havre.
Graville Abbey
Unfairly overlooked, even by the people of Le Havre, Graville Abbey boasts a magnificent Romanesque abbey church whose construction began in the late 11th century. In the nave, look up to see the richly decorated column capitals.
The church is dedicated to Sainte Honorine, who, according to legend, was killed by pagans in Lillebonne (35 km east of Le Havre), thrown into the Seine and washed up at the foot of the abbey.
The cliffside site also features a romantic cemetery and a collection of medieval statuary.
The whole thing is spellbinding, and we really enjoyed the belated discovery of this treasure of our city.
Notre-Dame des flots chapel
Located in the hills above Sainte-Adresse, this adorable little Gothic-style chapel was built in 1859. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, protector of sailors and fishermen.
Witness to this devotion, and anchoring the building in the town’s daily life, numerous plaques, thank-yous, paintings and models implore the Virgin to entrust Le Havre’s sailors to her care.
Maybe it’s because our grandparents lived almost opposite, but we have a special affection for this little building and its adjoining poets’ garden .
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Museums in Le Havre
In addition to the MuMa, which is a must-see, the city has a number of other museums that can be visited depending on your interests.
The Natural History Museum
This neoclassical building was constructed in 1760. It was first used as a courthouse, before being assigned to the Museum of Natural History in 1881.
Like many port cities, Nantes in particular, the port environment is conducive to the development of a high-quality collection.
Here you can admire Charles Alexandre Lesueur‘s naturalistic paintings. You’ll also be fascinated by the fossils in the paleontology collection (the limestone cliffs are quite generous in this respect). And last but not least, explore the part of the museum devoted to zoology, which generally fascinates children with its stuffed animals.
But for that, we’ll have to wait a little: the museum will be closed for 2 years, from October 2022, to return with a more up-to-date museography. We can confirm that it was badly needed. Patience…
Shipowner’s house
We’re in the former home of a wealthy Le Havre merchant, Martin Pierre Foache. It has been entirely reconstructed in 18th and 19th century décor to take you back in time to daily life in the port of Le Havre.
This Louis XVI-style building, erected in 1790, is built on 5 levels around a central octagonal skylight that floods the interior with Le Havre sunshine.
In addition to the reconstructed rooms, it hosts a variety of permanent exhibits, as well as exhibitions on themes related to the city’s port past.
Hotel Dubocage de Bléville
Formerly owned by navigator and merchant Michel Joseph Dubocage, this beautiful 17th-century private property is located in the heart of the Saint François district, Le Havre’s old sailors’ quarter.
The museum features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of Le Havre, as well as temporary exhibitions.
Le Havre Port Center
Aimed at bringing the people of Le Havre closer to their port, this educational and exhibition facility offers a fun way to discover the day-to-day workings of the Port of Le Havre. The world of containers, which has revolutionized the Port of Le Havre, will hold no secrets for you after this visit!
Temporary exhibitions also offer new perspectives on the port, whether through photography or other media.
The Port Center is currently relocating to new premises at the Terminal de la Citadelle, and is due to reopen in 2024. We’ll be sure to update this article.
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Tourist activities in Le Havre
A tour of the port by speedboat
Among the things to do in Le Havre, a visit to the port is an interesting experience. Departing from the marina, opposite the Hilton Hotel, you’ll board a small, 100-seat speedboat for a 1.5-hour tour.
For the first half-hour, you’ll be able to see from the sea the various breakwaters that protect the port of Le Havre, and admire a horizon that might just give you a hankering for the high seas!
You then enter Port 2000, the container port built in the 2000s. It is adapted to the constraints of this type of transport (large storage area) and to the challenges of profitability (capacity to handle very large ships 24/7).
Depending on the rotation of the ships, you may have the chance to admire one of these giants of the seas, as we did.
To round off the tour, we return to Le Havre’s outer harbor to explore the cruise terminal.
Visit Le Havre with the Bee
A small , human-sized panoramic bus (32 seats) takes you on a 50-minute tour of Le Havre’s must-see attractions. The whole thing is audio guided, of course, with 8 languages on offer and a really interesting narrative about the link between generations!
Local shops
Long decried for its architecture and weather, Le Havre has been on trend since the early 2000s. Many businesses have jumped on the bandwagon (normal for a city on the water…) and offer local products, from T-shirts with the LH logo to local beers!
Helicopter flight
Looking for a bit of height? Let yourself be tempted by a helicopter flight from Le Havre’s small airport. 2 possible circuits:
- Seine estuary: you’ll pass close to the city and get a bird’s-eye view of the complex criss-cross of basins that make up the port of Le Havre, as well as the Port 2000 infrastructure.
- Fécamp/Etretat: discover the famous limestone cliffs of the Côte d’Albatre, a fragile and incredible natural spectacle!
What to do when it rains
First of all, you should know that it never rains in Le Havre, it’s just“sunny several times a day“.
Visiting MuMa in bad weather
What could be better than sunbathing in the light of the great masters of Impressionism and warming up in the bright colors of the Fauvist painters who contributed to the artistic fame of the city of Le Havre?
The MuMa is the Le Havre museum to visit if it’s raining, and you’ll be able to take advantage of its view of the sea to see the dawn of hopeful light!
Discover Perret without getting wet
A classic for strolling through Le Havre on a rainy day, you can stroll along the Rue de Paris, entirely in the Perret style, sheltered by these arcades. The architect’s only exception: as you approach the sea, you can admire Le Havre Cathedral, one of the few buildings to have survived the bombings of September 1944.
You can extend your discovery of the Perret style with a visit to theshow apartment, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the post-war era, for want of warm temperatures!
Take a gourmet break under cover
Isn’t it time to put some sunshine on your plate? Head to the Halles Couvertes in Le Havre to discover suppliers of our fine regional produce, while staying out of the rain.
If the weather is really depressing, don’t hesitate to try a Norman fondue: Camembert – Pont-l’Évêque and Livarot, 3 of the 4 Normandy PDO cheeses!
And before you go home, why not enjoy a hot cup of coffee at the Ombra Coffee Roaster (5 minutes from Les Halles) to discover the work of a Le Havre roaster on exceptional coffees.
What to do with children
The dockside pool
Designed by Jean Nouvel, the dockside swimming pool is ideal for family relaxation. 8 of the 10 pools in the swimming pool designed by the brilliant architect Jean Nouvel are covered. They offer a variety of experiences (slide, safe water play area, family spa…) to delight young and old alike.
If you have the same problem with Eugenie as we did, the only difficulty you’ll have is getting them out of the water and back in.
A snack at Calice et mandibule
The owners, themselves young Mums, are happy to welcome children to share one of their delicious and original cakes and juices. Although they may be taken aback by the ingredients, their taste buds will ultimately be delighted by the experience.
The Volcan Library
Completely redesigned in 2015, the “little volcano” designed by star architect Oscar Niemeyer is home to a magnificent library with a decor conducive to reading and seductive to the eye.
They should find plenty to feed their insatiable curiosity among the 116,000 documents available. The icing on the cake is that there’s even an area dedicated to video games!
The beach in summer
In fine weather, the beach is of course a meeting place for families. They may need a little time to get used to walking on pebbles, but once they’re in the water, they’ll soon forget all about it!
