Is Le Havre worth a visit? Planning your next vacation or weekend getaway?
Do you love the sea air, art, walking or cycling along the waterfront and discovering the culinary delights of the Normandy region? You’ll love (re)discovering Le Havre! We can’t get enough of this great port city, so special and so dear to our hearts!
In this article, we give you our 7 reasons for recommending Le Havre, and a few points to keep in mind.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Le Havre worth a visit?
Stunning for its famous Auguste Perret architecture after the 2nd World War, inspiring for its skies that won over the Impressionists, which you can admire at the MuMa… In our eyes, Le Havre is also a must-see destination thanks to its UNESCO-listed architectural heritage, its dynamic cultural scene, its natural spaces and its unusual places, such as the hanging gardens installed in a former city fort. Le Havre, our home town, harmoniously combines history and modernity. It’s sure to surprise you during your stay!
We list the reasons in more detail below, and you can also check out our selection of the city’s best attractions!
Reason 1 – Auguste Perret’s unique, listed architecture
Did you know that the architecture of downtown Le Havre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005? To grasp its subtleties, we recommend a stroll along the Rue de Paris, which leads from the waterfront to the imposing Hôtel de Ville. Here, the buildings were rebuilt after the 2nd World War in reinforced concrete, the material of choice of Auguste Perret, the great architect who rebuilt a city that was largely destroyed in 1944. In addition to Le Havre’s chessboard layout, with its wide avenues reminiscent of an American-style urban organization, you’ll notice the different shades of concrete: brushed, rough, gray and pink.
This period of reconstruction lasted 2 decades, during which Le Havre was rethought in the light of innovations and changing lifestyles. Auguste Perret also recreated interiors that offered the best of modernity (garbage chutes, bathrooms with bathtubs, centralized forced-air heating…) for the 30,000 people of Le Havre who had lost everything in the bombings.
Continue your discovery of this city steeped in history with a stop at the astonishing Église Saint-Joseph, another masterpiece by Auguste Perret. Designed by the architect, it is the symbol of Le Havre’s post-war renaissance. Did you notice that its lantern tower is over 100 m high? Continuing the maritime metaphor, St. Joseph’s Church is the city’s spiritual and secular beacon. Its peaceful interior and the sublime stained-glass windows of its lantern tower, pictured above, are worth the detour alone. We’re amazed every time we return!
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
Reason 2 – A dynamic, historic port city
Le Havre’s geographic location at the entrance to the Seine estuary and the Channel-North Sea shipping route makes it a strategic site. Its seaport is one of the largest in France. Inaugurated in March 2006, Port 2000 welcomes the world’s largest container ships without interruption or tidal constraints. In fact, we loved visiting it from the marina, opposite the Hilton Hotel, aboard a small 100-seat speedboat for an hour and a half. Find out more on the tourist office website here.
During the 1st half-hour, you’ll discover from the sea the various breakwaters that protect the port of Le Havre, and admire the horizon. You’ll then enter Port 2000, where several ships dock regularly. Just like us, you can admire these giants of the seas from the boat!
The Port Center moved to new premises at the Terminal de la Citadelle and reopened its doors in 2024. 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 full program for this place of discovery and encounter dedicated to port culture can be found on the official website here.
Reason 3 – Le Havre, birthplace of Impressionism
Exceptional light at sunrise and sunset, unique seascapes, sky and sea blending into shades of blue… Did you know that our hometown, Le Havre, has inspired such Impressionist masters as Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Francisco Pizarro and Raoul Dufy? The vivid colors of these painters’ canvases contributed to the city’s artistic renown. For us, the MuMa, Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux, is one of the most captivating and fascinating museums in Normandy.
Facing the sea, this art gallery offers a dialogue between the works of painters and the incomparable beauty of the Normandy skies and lights that so inspired the Impressionists. It’s also a great place to visit when it’s raining, as you can take advantage of the sea view to see the light that brings hope!
Take the time to observe these unique canvases by Impressionist artists, depicting the famous Le Havre regatta pier, for example. This emblematic element of the maritime landscape has often been painted in works of art. Raoul Dufy, for example, isolated the boom motif in several of his paintings, underlining its visual and symbolic importance for Le Havre.
Also known as the estacade in Sainte-Adresse, a commune bordering Le Havre, it has been depicted by countless painters, from impressionist Claude Monet to the greatest Fauvist painters (Marquet, Raoul Dufy…). If you take a stroll along the beaches of Le Havre and Sainte-Adresse, you’re bound to see it and many of its painted representations set up along the seafront.
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.
Reason 4 – A city of art, an open-air museum
As we’ve already seen, Le Havre is a city of art, with its unique Auguste Perret architecture, modern and original buildings such as Jean Nouvel’s Piscine des Docks and Oscar Niemeyer’s Le Volcan, the city’s national multidisciplinary cultural stage. And let’s not forget the MuMa‘s remarkable Impressionist collection! But that’s not all! Embark on a walking tour to discover the works of art that dot our city’s rich cultural past.
From the Catène des conteneurs by French artist Vincent Ganivet to the sculpture Jusqu’au bout du monde by Fabien Mérelle and the abstract UP3 by Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, take time to observe all these outdoor works! Produced and installed to mark the 500th anniversary of the city of Le Havre in 2017, the “Un été au Havre” event (see here), they have been preserved and blend subtly with the maritime and urban landscape! Don’t you think that with the sky, the sea in the background or the Perret architecture buildings, depending on the angle, these views are magical?
Reason 5 – A prime location in Normandy
Choosing Le Havre to organize your getaway is also an excellent idea, as it’s a great base for visiting the surrounding area.
Less than 40 minutes away by car, you can choose between 2 emblematic Normandy towns for 1 day trip: Honfleur and Étretat.
With its unique harbor, half-timbered houses, wooden church and restaurants on every corner, Honfleur is well worth a visit!
This charming Norman town offers a picturesque old port, historic architecture and a rich artistic heritage. Its beauty has inspired many Impressionist painters, and we’re equally captivated by its relaxed, historic atmosphere. Discover all our ideas for things to do in Honfleur.
In our opinion, Étretat is also one of the jewels of Normandy, less than a 40min drive from Le Havre. Its huge white cliffs have inspired many painters and photographers, as have its unique gardens, which should inspire you too. If you don’t have enough time to visit both, read our tips for choosing between Étretat and Honfleur here.
Want to visit Honfleur and Étretat in 1 day from Le Havre without having to drive and at your own pace? Book your private tour now!
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Reason 6 – Le Havre’s culinary scene
Irrigated both by imports from the port and by the rich agricultural production of the surrounding countryside, Le Havre is a great place to eat. In our opinion, this is just one of the reasons to visit this unique city! As the culinary experience is an integral part of the journey and the discovery of the destination, let yourself be surprised by the halles gourmandes and their 22 food shops, roasters, tea rooms and delicious restaurants!
Our favorites include:
- Jean-Luc Tartarin’s Michelin-starred gourmet table
- creative cuisine based on Normandy produce at Restaurant Le Margote
- Restaurant Le Grand Large, a Le Havre institution with a 180° sea view
Reason 7 – Its green spaces and waterfront
With its wide avenues, waterfront and invigorating sea air, the city of Le Havre is ideal for a stroll (just remember to bring a Kway…). Start by taking in the sights at the orientation table near boulevard du Président Félix Faure. If you’re brave, you can walk to it from the seafront, otherwise park nearby. You’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the waterfront and the city center. If the weather is clear, you can also make out the towns of Honfleur, Deauville and even Caen across the mouth of the Seine.
Le Havre is also famous for its 17-hectare hanging gardens, located in the former fort of Sainte-Adresse. These unparalleled green spaces have been awarded the “jardin remarquable et botanique” label, and are home to 3,700 species of plants per continent. They magnificently overlook the lower town of Le Havre, with a view of the port and the sea.
If you like long walks in the forest, in the heart of green parks or along the sea, we also suggest these 3 places that are well worth a visit:
- The peaceful 270-hectare Montgeon forest, where our merchant grandparents used to come for Sunday walks in search of peace and quiet.
- Square Saint-Roch, a 2-hectare English-style park with 1,000 colors in the city center.
- The 3 dykes walk offers 3 ways to observe the sea, from the north dyke to the sculpture Jusqu’au bout du monde.
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Some disadvantages of a trip to Le Havre
The tourist influx
Que ce soit pour un week-end au Havre ou un séjour plus long, ce n’est pas un haut lieu du tourisme. Mais avec le regain d’intérêt pour la ville et les nombreux bateaux de croisière qui s’enchaînent en été, nous vous recommandons de réserver:
- your visit to the Perret show apartment here
- your visit to the port of Le Havre here
- your accommodation as soon as possible
- your restaurants – see the list of the best restaurants in Le Havre (coming soon)
Le Havre is one of our weekend ideas in Normandy!
Unpredictable weather?
It’s customary in Le Havre to say that the weather is fine “several times a day”. Bordered by the English Channel, the city is often subject to westerly winds with their share of showers. However, contrary to popular belief, the city doesn’t get that much rain, and is far behind the big cities of Rhône Alpes (Lyon, Grenoble…) or south-west France (Bayonne, Pau). Legends can be tenacious…
Nevertheless, we advise you to bring rain gear and avoid umbrellas. With the wind, they’ll turn inside out and won’t be of any help!
Traffic and parking
Le Havre is one of the world’s most walkable cities. We owe this to the city’s reconstruction, which left the streets wide and square. This makes it easy to get around on foot, on a scooter (self-service rental service), by bike or by car.
If you’re driving, we recommend parking on the seafront, where there are plenty of spaces available, or on the outskirts of the city center, where parking is free (see the city’s official website here). Last but not least, the public transport network is quite dense, with a tramway line that irrigates the city and a quality bus network (see here).
How to get to Le Havre
Le Havre is located in the north-west of France, in the Normandy region. To get there, the 2 most practical options in our opinion are:
- by car: Le Havre can be reached by the A13 freeway from Paris, then the A131 in 2h30, or the A29 freeway from the Hauts-de-France region. Find out all our tips for renting a car in France and at Roissy CDG and Paris-Orly airports.
- by train: direct rail services link Paris from Gare Saint-Lazare to Le Havre in just under 2h30. You can book your train tickets on the official SNCF website here. Le Havre station is about a 20-minute walk from the city center and a 30-minute walk from the waterfront.
It’s also possible to get there by ferry from certain destinations, or by bus, but you’ll be less free to move around on the spot.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
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Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
