Are you visiting the Cité Océane with your children? Le Havre, with its unique Perret architecture, seafront and green spaces, is a great family destination. Whether you’re looking for cultural discoveries, outdoor activities or relaxation, the city offers a multitude of options for young and old alike. In this article, we’ve explored 10 kid-friendly activities for visiting Le Havre with children, not forgetting our tips and photos. Follow us as we explore these fun, family-friendly experiences!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Visiting Le Havre with children: a good idea?
Yes, visiting Le Havre with children is a great idea! With its playgrounds, art venues such as MuMa, themed gardens and seaside walks, the town offers a wide range of fun and educational activities for the very young. Something for the whole family!
1. Outdoor play (playgrounds and play areas)
Why visit with children?
In Le Havre, we love the many playgrounds for children of all ages. Among our favorites: the Digue Nord area, located at the southern tip of the beach, is divided into separate play areas for 3-6 year olds and over-6s. You’ll even find water jets in summer! Also in the town center, the Hôtel de Ville playground, partly covered, is ideal for all weather conditions. Looking for a greener setting? We’ve got just what you need, heading for the Square Saint-Roch playground, a small English-style park with a secure area for children.
See more photos of Le Havre’s playgrounds in our dedicated article here.
Practical advice
- Duration: 1 hour to 1 half-day according to your wishes
- No particular difficulties, areas accessible to baby carriages, note that some play areas are not enclosed by barriers.
- Access: Le Havre city center at various locations (see dedicated article for details)
- Price: free admission to playgrounds and skatepark
2. Awaken your creativity at the MuMa Museum
Why visit with children?
The MuMa, located opposite the port, is a gateway to modern art for children, particularly through its painting and comic strip workshops (book in advance). The museum’s human scale and the accessibility of its works, particularly those of the Impressionists, make it a good introduction to the world of art.
We found the interaction between art and the seascape particularly inspiring for younger visitors. What’s more, the large windows with sea views add a poetic touch to this kid-friendly space. A fun and educational experience!
Find out more about our visit to the MuMa Museum.
Practical advice
- Located in downtown Le Havre, at the southern tip of the waterfront
- Duration: 1h to 1h30 depending on your interest and that of your children
- Difficulties: museum on a gentle slope but accessible to PRM, slightly bumpy ground
- Access: by streetcar (Hôtel de Ville stop – then 15min walk), by bus (line 7 – MUMA stop), free outdoor public parking nearby or parking lot at 105 Bd Clémenceau
- Price: full adult fare 10€; free child fare under 26; special family fare 6€.
- Opening hours: open all year round, Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 7pm, closed on Mondays and January 1st, May 1st, November 11th, December 25th (see official website for updates ).
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
3. Escape to the Plage du Havre: waterside leisure activities
Why visit with children?
You’ll see that Le Havre’s pebble beach offers much more than just a place to swim! From playgrounds and water sports to pleasant strolls along the seafront, there’s something for everyone. We love strolling along the waterfront and discovering safe areas where children can play in peace. And why not share the fun of building a sandcastle with them? A perfect moment to savour the beauty of the coastline!
See more photos in our dedicated article here.
Practical advice
- Located on the seafront to the west of the city
- Duration: 1 hour to 1 half-day, or even the whole day, depending on your wishes!
- Difficulties: pebbles at high tide, then sand at low tide, equipment provided free of charge by the town for people with disabilities (see details here).
- Access: by streetcar (line A – La Plage station), by bus (line 16 – La Plage stop), free parking on the seafront, 3 parking lots in addition to the spaces along the beach (near the streetcar stop, the CNH swimming pool car park, and the marina car park near the gas station, a 10-minute walk away).
- Price: free access to the beach, activities and water sports for a fee
- Opening hours: open during the season from May 1 to May 31 from 10 am to 6 pm, from June 1 to August 31 from 10 am to 7 pm and from September 1 to 15 from 10 am to 6 pm (see official website for updates ).
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4. Take a tour of Le Volcan, scène nationale culturelle
Why visit with children?
You can’t miss it when you visit Le Havre. Right in the heart of the city center, you’ll see 2 volcano-like buildings, all dressed in white, contrasting with the rigorous architecture of Auguste Perret. They are the work of the brilliant architect Oscar Niemeyer, who designed 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 your time to explore this space dedicated to culture and open to all. Here you’ll discover what goes on behind the scenes of these buildings, as well as the meticulous layout that makes the place truly special and conducive to reading. We love it!
Its media library offers dedicated children’s areas with books, games and activities. This is one of our top ideas for things to do in Le Havre!
Practical advice
- In the heart of downtown, in the extension of the Bassin du Commerce
- Duration: 1h to 1 day according to your tastes and desires
- Challenges: accessible space with equipment, audiodescription shows
- Access: by streetcar (lines A and B, Hôtel de Ville stop a 5-minute walk away), by bus (lines C3 and C4, Hôtel de Ville stop a 5-minute walk away)
- Price: free access to media library, workshops and shows at extra charge – see program here
- Opening hours: during the season (excluding school vacations) Tuesday to Friday from 1:30 to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 2:00 to 5:30 pm, then closed on Sundays; Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 to 5:30 pm; closed on Saturdays and Sundays (see official website for updates ).
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.
5. Open-air art that captivates young and old alike
Why visit with children?
Le Havre’s outdoor artworks transform the city into an open-air museum, where colors and shapes intermingle to delight the eye. Sculptures such as the Catène de Containers and street art paintings amaze children and adults alike. We had fun exploring these installations, while playing at guessing their meaning. One of our favorite works? The sculpture Jusqu’au bout du monde is impressive and poetic, with a man carrying his daughter on his shoulders and looking out to the horizon. An original way to discover the Cité Océane…
Practical advice
- Works located throughout the city
- Duration: 1h to 2h30 depending on the sculptures you see along the way
- No particular difficulties, ideal for walking, flat sidewalks and ground, windy conditions possible (take good shoes and rain gear).
- Access: ideally on foot, free, 24/7
6. Visit the Port of Le Havre by Seine boat
Why visit with children?
Fancy a boat trip to explore one of Europe’s largest ports? It’s sure to be an exciting adventure for kids! This can be a fun and original family outing. You’ll discover the city’s heritage from a different angle, with a different perspective. Passing through the marina and observing the many sailing boats, spotting the imposing statues that adorn the town, such as Jusqu’au bout du monde or la Catène, or admiring the huge ships and containers from the small speedboat… These moments can be both impressive and educational.
Find out more about our Seine boat trip in the Port of Le Havre!
Practical advice
- Departure from the town’s marina opposite the Hilton Hotel, along Bd Clémenceau, on the Charles Olsen dike.
- Duration: approx. 1h30 on board the launch
- Difficulties: access to the launch by crossing the quay (level path), gently sloping gangway with no obstacles, boat exit accessible for wheelchair users, boat interior heated and sheltered, please ensure the safety of your children on board the boat by respecting the measures indicated by the crew.
- Access: parking available along Bd Clémenceau or in the adjacent alleyways, by bus (line C1, La Plage stop), by tramway (lines A and B, La Plage stop about a 10-minute walk away).
- Price: full adult rate €16, children aged 4 to 17 €12, free for under-4s
- Times: depending on the day of the week and the weather, departure at 11am or 2.30pm or 3pm
- Last boarding 15min before departure (see official website for updates ).
7. Understanding and learning at the Maison du Patrimoine
Why visit with children?
Located on Place Perret, the Maison du Patrimoine takes you on a journey through the town’s past. This family outing will immerse children in the fascinating history of Le Havre. We found the presentations simple and captivating, ideal for stimulating the curiosity of younger children. Explanations of the WW2 bombings and the reconstruction of the city, transformed into a veritable open-air museum, will help them better understand Le Havre’s unique architecture. Did you know that it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005? A great introduction to exploring the Cité Océane and awakening their interest in its history! Children can also take part in fun workshops explaining Le Havre’s architecture.
Practical advice
- Located downtown Rue de Paris near Hôtel de Ville
- Duration: 1h to 1h30 depending on your interest
- Difficulties: no stairs to enter, access at the same level as the sidewalk
- Access: by streetcar (lines A and B, Hôtel de Ville stop), by bus (line C4, George V stop), paid parking (15min walk from Le Havre René Coty, PMR accessible)
- Price: full adult price €7, free for under-26s
- Opening hours: end of September to end of March, open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 5pm; Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and during school vacations (all zones) open from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm; early closures at 4pm on December 24th and 31st, closed on December 25th and January 1st, exceptional closures on November 18th, 25th and 26th (see any updates on the official website here).
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8. Marvel at the thousands of stained glass windows in St. Joseph’s Church
Why visit with children?
Not to be confused with the city’s cathedral, Église Saint-Joseph immersed us in a unique atmosphere. Did you know that its tower is 107m high? It’s almost half the size of the Eiffel Tower.
You can point out to your children that it looks like a lighthouse with its beautiful colored windows – impressive, isn’t it?
Have fun looking up to admire its 12,768 stained-glass windows. There’s no denying that the diversity of colors and shapes in the stained-glass windows fascinates young and old alike! We particularly enjoyed watching the light change throughout the day, creating an enchanting atmosphere lulled by hymn singing.
See our article about Saint-Joseph Church
Practical advice
- In the city center near Bd François 1er
- Duration: approx. 30min
- Difficulties: handicapped-accessible, relatively flat ground
- Access: no dedicated parking, pay parking in nearby streets
- Price: free admission and tour
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except for ceremonies (see official website for updates ).
9. Discover plants from around the world at the Hanging Gardens
Why visit with children?
Le Havre is also famous for its 17-hectare hanging gardens, located in the former fort of Sainte-Adresse, which borders the Cité Océane. These unparalleled green spaces have been awarded the “jardin remarquable et botanique” label and are home to 3,700 species organized by continent. They overlook the lower town of Le Havre, with views of the port and the sea. A unique setting for families! Stroll through themed areas such as the Garden of Explorers, discover tropical greenhouses and access tunnels. We appreciated the sensory areas that awaken the sense of smell and curiosity in the little ones. A soothing, educational walk for the whole family!
Practical advice
- Located to the north-west of Le Havre, towards the neighboring town of Sainte-Adresse
- Duration: 1 hour to 1 full day – there’s so much to see!
- Difficulties: uphill access on foot, free outdoor parking in Rue Parmentier (10-minute walk), public toilets within the gardens.
- Access: by bus (routes C3, C4 and C5), 2 entrances (south side Rue du Fort, north side Rue Albert Copieux)
- Price: free admission, adult admission to greenhouses 2*, free for children under 12 (included with Museum Pass – see details here)
- Opening hours: open from April to October, 9am to 8pm, and from November to March, 9am to 5pm (see official website for updates ).
10. Surveying the Montgeon Forest
Why visit with children?
If you like long forest walks in the heart of lush green parks, the peaceful Forêt de Montgeon is well worth a visit. In this 270-hectare green space, our merchant grandparents used to come for Sunday strolls in search of peace and quiet. The green lung of Le Havre, you can stroll around the lakes, watch ducks, geese and pigeons, and discover the wooden playgrounds for children… During the summer season, you can also take advantage of the accrobranche (tree climbing), petanque courts and pedal boats.
A perfect place to have space and play outdoors with your toddlers!
Practical advice
- Located in the northeast of the city, 20 minutes by car from the town hall and 1 hour on foot.
- Duration: 1h to 1 full day according to your wishes
- Difficulties: PRM-friendly walk, easy for baby carriages, cycle path, picnic area.
- Access: parking on Avenue Raoul Mail less than 10min from the entrance to the forest park, by streetcar (line B, Frileuse stop less than 15min walk), by bus (line C1, Hallates stop).
- Price: free access
- Opening hours: open from April 1st to October 31st from 7am to 8pm, from November 1st to March 31st from 8am to 6pm (vehicle access from 5.30am to 10pm) – see official website for updates here.
Other theme parks and leisure activities
Other museums to see with children
- Appartement témoin PerretImmerse yourself in the interiors redesigned by the Le Havre architect and visionary of the same name in post-war Le Havre, with a tour designed for young visitors (contact the Tourist Office here).
- Muséum d’Histoire naturelle: naturalist paintings by Charles Alexandre Lesueur, as well as a fine collection of Palaeolithic fossils and the zoology section (currently closed for renovations – see details here).
- Maison de l’armateur: former home of Martin Pierre Foache, a wealthy Le Havre merchant, the Maison de l’armateur recreates 18th- and 19th-century interiors, immersing you in the port life of the time through permanent and temporary exhibitions on themes linked to Le Havre’s maritime past (closed until January 2026 – see here for updates).
- Port Center du Havre: an educational and exhibition venue dedicated to port culture, offering a fun way to discover the day-to-day workings of the Port of Le Havre (program on the official website here).
Other castles to see with children
- Château de Grosmenil: just a 35-minute drive from Le Havre, a place steeped in history in the heart of a 25-hectare park with century-old trees, an arboretum and several events such as the Fête du Cirque (see official website here).
- Château de BoutemontChâteau Boutemont: about 1 hour’s drive from Le Havre, an estate combining charm and tradition for a bucolic interlude in its lush gardens.
Other theme parks in Le Havre
- Parc Otopia: immersive activity center in the city, with escape game, quiz game, karaoke and game bar – see details here.
- Gulli Parc: indoor amusement park (ages 1 to 12) with fun activities (adventure course, inflatables, mini-karting, arcade games) – see details here.
- Art Sport Café: outside the city center, ideal for rain or shine, with adventure course, slides, ball pool, zip line, go-kart track – see details here
Other green spaces and nature in Le Havre
- 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.
- The seafront with a stroll to Sainte-Adresse, on the outskirts of Le Havre
Vacations in Le Havre: other places
Here are a few other places you might like to visit, depending on your children’s interests:
- Rue de Paris, with its covered passages for window shopping
- Notre-Dame du Havre Cathedral
- Les Halles Centrales, a covered market
- Municipal swimming pools (see the city’s official website here)
- Climbing gyms like The Roof – Maison de l’Escalade (more info here)
See our article on our favorite activities in Le Havre and all our tips for getting around the city.
Things to do when it rains
It’s customary in Le Havre to say that the weather is fine “several times a day”. When it’s raining in the Cité Océane, don’t bring an umbrella, it won’t help! There are several options for keeping your children occupied:
- explore the MuMa with its art workshops
- discover the Volcan media library
- take part in fun activities at the Maison du Patrimoine
- have fun with indoor games at Art Sport Café
To get moving, head for a partially covered playground like the one at Hôtel de Ville!
Practical advice
Getting around Le Havre with children
- Located in the north-west of France in the Normandy region
- Easy access to the city by train
- From Paris to Le Havre = 2h30 by car
- Rouen to Le Havre = 1h15min by car
- From Deauville to Le Havre = 1 hour by car
- From Étretat to Le Havre = 35min by car
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
Where to stay in Le Havre with children?
If you’re wondering, yes, it’s worth spending a night in Le Havre! It’s not the most typical of French towns, but it has a lot to offer, and many visitors fall under its spell.
You are welcome to stay:
- by the sea
- in the city center
- near the station
Discover our best places to stay in Le Havre!
Where to eat in Le Havre with children
Eating well on vacation is important! You’ll find that Le Havre’s culinary scene is wide-ranging and popular, with a choice to suit you and your children’s tastes.
Our kid-friendly addresses in Le Havre:
- Restaurant Calice et Mandibule, our favorite cantine with weekend brunch
- Restaurant Crêperie “Au petit Breton”, open on Sundays
- Restaurant La Taverne Paillette, a Le Havre institution
- Restaurant Le Grand Quai, by the sea
See all our suggestions for good restaurants in Le Havre in our dedicated article.
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
- The most beautiful charming 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
