Enjoy the sea air, art in the city, strolls or bike rides along the waterfront and culinary discoveries around the Normandy terroir… That’s what awaits you if you plan to spend 1 day in Le Havre. Close to our hearts, this port city boasts surprising post-war architecture designed by Auguste Perret. With the skies that inspired the Impressionists to discover them at the MuMa Museum, and its surprisingly unusual places, Le Havre is sure to satisfy your desires!
In this article, discover our ideal itinerary for visiting Le Havre in 1 day. Find out more about our practical advice and alternatives to suit your tastes and our photos to make up your own mind about this destination.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Practical tips for visiting Le Havre in 1 day
What can you see in Le Havre in 1 day? Is it long enough?
In just 1 day, you can visit the city’s main attractions and soak up its unique atmosphere, combining modern architecture and maritime serenity. You’ll discover the rigorous urban planning of UNESCO-listed architect Auguste Perret, alongside the gentle charm of the seafront, between dynamism and calm. It’s a city where architecture blends harmoniously with the ocean horizon, as at the MuMa museum of modern art, where Impressionist canvases converse with the beauty of Normandy skies. Le Havre offers a good balance between culture and relaxation. One day allows you to see the essentials, but you won’t have time to explore everything.
Getting around Le Havre
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. A small panoramic bus called the Bee takes you on a 50-minute audio tour (in 8 languages) of Le Havre’s must-see sites.
If you’re driving, we recommend parking on the seafront, with plenty of spaces available, or on the outskirts of the city center, as it’s free (see the city’s official website here). Last but not least, the public transport network is fairly dense, with a tramway line that irrigates the city and a high-quality bus network (see here).
Where to stay in Le Havre
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
Our ideal itinerary: 1 day in Le Havre
Morning – 9-10am: Diving into post-war architecture
Well arrived in Le Havre? Its charm may not jump out at you at first glance, but did you know that the architecture of the city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005? Here, the buildings were rebuilt after World War II 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, grey, pink. Start your day’s visit at the Hôtel de Ville, then head for the Maison du Patrimoine, just a 10-minute walk away, if you’d like to learn more about the architecture of the Cité Océane.
Morning – 10.15am-11am: Marvel at the masterpiece of St. Joseph’s Church
TheChurch of St. Joseph is a must-see. From the Maison du Patrimoine, walk along Rue Bernardin de Saint-Pierre or Rue Louis Brindeau to reach the church in less than 10 minutes. Designed by Auguste Perret, this imposing building is the symbol of Le Havre’s post-war renaissance. With its 107m-high lantern tower, it is the city’s spiritual and secular beacon. In addition to its use of reinforced concrete, it will impress 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 this place of worship, so that you can enjoy it to the full, and access is free.
Morning – 11.15am-12.15pm: Discover the contemporary cultural scene at Le Volcan and the Oscar Niemeyer Library
You can’t miss it when you visit Le Havre. In the heart of downtown, retrace your steps after visiting the church in the Bassin du Commerce extension. 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 the 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 decoration that makes the place truly special and conducive to reading. We love it!
Noon – 12:15-13:00: Stroll along Rue de Paris to the cathedral
From the Volcan, head down Rue de Paris, which leads from the imposing Hôtel de Ville to the waterfront. Stroll through the covered passages, window-shop and catch a glimpse of the cathedral. Often confused with Église Saint-Joseph, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Havre is less than 800m from Rue de Paris. This modest edifice (compared with other Norman cathedrals) 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, this is one of the few buildings that Auguste Perret didn’t completely raze to the ground during Le Havre’s post-war reconstruction.
Noon – 1.15pm-2.30pm: Lunch on the trail
Time to sit down to dinner! You’re at the end of Rue de Paris, a lively district with good restaurants to suit all tastes. Here are our nearby recommendations:
- Restaurant Calice et Mandibule: Claire and Manu’s canteen, with a menu that blends local Normandy produce with Senegalese and Moroccan flavors (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
- Restaurant Les Fauves: the MuMa Museum’s restaurant offers a breathtaking view of the sea and revisits classic bistro cuisine (closed on Mondays).
You can also check out our selection of the best restaurants in Le Havre for more options.
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Afternoon – 14h45-15h15: Admire the Catène de Containeurs, nicknamed the “Eiffel Tower” of Le Havre
We continue this list of must-sees, with a tour that will take you on a discovery of the works of art that dot our city’s rich cultural past. We start with La Catène. 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.
Afternoon – 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Immerse yourself in Impressionist paintings and their light at MuMa
Continue along the waterfront to the right, and you’re just a 10-minute walk from the Musée André Malraux (MuMa), another of the city’s must-see attractions. 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. The vivid colors of these painters’ canvases contributed to the city’s artistic renown. For us, the MuMa is one of the most captivating and fascinating museums in Normandy. During your visit, you can admire paintings by Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Raoul Dufy… It’s also a place to visit in case of rain, when you can take advantage of its view of the sea to see the dawn of hopeful light! Please note that it is closed on Mondays and certain public holidays.
Evening – 17h45-19h: Stroll along the waterfront to the Estacade du Havre
Leaving the MuMa, stroll along Boulevard Clémenceau. Take the time to listen to the sound of the waves, the song of the seagulls, the smell of iodine… And admire the outdoor artworks that adorn the city! Created and installed for Le Havre’s 500th anniversary in 2017 (see here), they have been preserved and blend subtly with the maritime and urban landscape. You can take the path leading to the famous sculpture Jusqu’au bout du monde by Fabien Mérelle on the dike. Isn’t it impressive, with the man carrying his daughter on his shoulders and looking out to the horizon?
Then retrace your steps to pass the marina and continue towards the Plage du Havre, where you’ll see the abstract UP#3 by Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann on the shore. Let the sea air carry you away and walk for as long as you like! After a 30-minute walk, you’ll reach the famous Estacade des Régates du Havre. This emblematic element of the seascape has often been depicted in works by artists such as Raoul Dufy. Many of his paintings have been installed by the sea.
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.
Alternative 1: with more museums
In addition to the famous MuMa, Le Havre is home to several museums that enrich its cultural scene. These places of art and history invited us to take a complementary look at the town’s heritage. Here are the other museums you can visit during your day in Le Havre:
- Muséum d’Histoire naturelle: housed in a neoclassical building dating from the 18th century and formerly the Palais de Justice, this museum exhibits the naturalist paintings of Charles Alexandre Lesueur, as well as a fine collection of Paleolithic fossils and the zoology section (currently closed for renovation – see details here).
- Maison de l’Armateur: the former home of Martin Pierre Foache, a wealthy Le Havre merchant, features reconstructed interiors from the 18th and 19th centuries, 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)
- Hôtel Dubocage de Bléville: a beautiful 17th-century private property in the heart of the Saint François district, Le Havre’s old seafarers’ quarter, this museum features a permanent exhibition devoted to the history of Le Havre, as well as temporary exhibitions (currently under construction – see official website here).
- Port Center du Havre: moved into new premises at Terminal de la Citadelle and reopened in 2024. Aimed at bringing the people of Le Havre closer to their port, this educational and exhibition venue dedicated to port culture offers a fun way to discover the day-to-day workings of the Port of Le Havre (program on the official website here).
- Appartement témoin Perret: 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, central forced-air heating…) to the 30,000 residents of Le Havre who lost everything in the bombardments. In 2005, the city of Le Havre had the good idea of offering visitors the chance to explore a model apartment that corresponds in every way to those presented to Le Havre residents during the city’s reconstruction, with a reconstruction of the furniture and appliances available at the time (reservation highly recommended here).
Alternative 2: Forest, parks and gardens
With its wide avenues, waterfront and invigorating sea air, Le Havre is an ideal place for a stroll (just remember to bring a Kway…). 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.
Alternative 3: art in the city
As we have already seen, Le Havre is a city of the arts, with its Auguste Perret architecture, modern and original buildings such as Jean Nouvel’s Piscine des Docks and Oscar Niemeyer’s Volcan, the city’s national multidisciplinary cultural stage. And don’t forget MuMa‘s remarkable Impressionist collection! But that’s not all! If you’d like to see all the wonders the city has to offer, embark on a walking tour to discover the works of art that dot this city with its rich cultural past. From the Catène de containers 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 a tour of all these outdoor works. Designed to mark the 500th anniversary of the city of Le Havre during the “Un été au Havre” event, they have found a permanent home in the Cité Océane. 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?
A new artistic leap forward in time, with street-artist Jace bringing 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 of Jace’s tags here and by clicking on them, you’ll get the address where they can be seen!
Alternative 4: Maritime exploration in the Port of Le Havre
Le Havre’s geographic location at the entrance to the Seine estuary and the Channel-North Sea shipping route makes it a strategic site. Did you know that 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 charming marina opposite the Hilton Hotel, aboard a small 100-seater 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!
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What you need to know for your day in Le Havre
The weather in Le Havre
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 be turned inside out and won’t be of any help to you!
Attendance in Le Havre
Whether you’re in Le Havre for a day, a weekend or a longer stay, it’s not a tourist mecca. But with renewed interest in the city and the many cruise ships that come and go in summer, we recommend you make a reservation:
- your visit to the Perret show apartment here
- your visit to the port of Le Havre here
- Your accommodation as soon as possible in the center if you decide to extend your stay.
- your restaurants – see the list of the best restaurants in Le Havre here
Le Havre is one of our weekend ideas in Normandy if you’re planning more than one day there!
Adapt your itinerary when it rains
First of all, you should know that it never rains in Le Havre, it’s just “sunny several times a day”… Le Havre is not as humid as other parts of Normandy, but the city is located in the north of France, by the sea, and therefore receives frequent showers. If it doesn’t rain much, we recommend wearing a good poncho and still enjoying the sunny day’s program. And you never know, the rain might stop.
The main areas you can still enjoy on a rainy day:
- The underground of the Volcano and its library
- Rue de Paris, with its covered passages for window-shopping and the cathedral
- The MuMa Museum
- Les Halles Centrales, a covered market
Frequently asked questions
Things to do with children in Le Havre in 1 day
If you’re visiting Le Havre with children, they should love it:
- the Container Catena: colorful, huge and surprising
- the beach
- downtown playgrounds for different ages, listed in this article, with addresses and types of activities
- The Docks swimming pool
- A snack at Restaurant Calice et Mandibule among our top addresses
- The Volcan’s Oscar Niemeyer Library and its crater-shaped architecture
Where and when to shop in Le Havre?
Whether you’re visiting this cruise port for 1 day, or choosing to spend a day in Le Havre, remember that this is a provincial town:
- Almost all stores are closed on Sundays. Some food stores are open on Sunday mornings
- And many stores remain closed on Mondays too
Would you like to go shopping as a souvenir of your stay in Le Havre? Irrigated both by imports from the port and by the rich agricultural production of the surrounding countryside, delicious local products and souvenirs of all kinds are sure to please. You’ll find plenty of stores, markets and delicatessens in this beautiful port city. Don’t forget to stop off at the concept store to shop like a local. Read all our tips in our dedicated article here.
Visit Le Havre in 1 day or take an excursion?
The choice between 1 day in Le Havre and a day trip from Le Havre depends on your interests:
- Le Havre: UNESCO-listed modern architecture, art collections, waterfront. It’s very easy to explore but not typical of what you imagine France to be.
- On the other, excursions to well-known places like Honfleur, Étretat and the D-Day landing beaches. But be aware that you’ll need to spend some time in transit
Find our tips and ideas for excursions from Le Havre here.
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
Best of
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
