An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Le Havre

Last Updated on 1st July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Le Havre is literally translated into English as ‘the haven’, and that is exactly what this place is. A vibrant major port city on the coast of France, known worldwide for its ultra modernist architecture, picturesque marina and stretch of beaches. Le Havre is a unique concrete city, buzzing with things to explore and filled with unconventional buildings!

Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Le Havre, as well as travel tips and where to stay when visiting.

Where is Le Havre?

Le Havre is nestled on the north coast in the Normandy region of France, situated at the mouth of the River Seine on the English Channel. Nearby towns of note include the picturesque fishing port of Honfleur (around thirty minutes away) and Étretat, which is also around thirty minutes away.

Why is Le Havre so famous?

Le Havre is known for its world class architecture and use of concrete. In fact, in 2005 the city was declared a World Heritage Site which considering its modernity is quite unusual (it’s one of two modern cities with this status), only emphasising what a true wonder the city is and testament to the evolution of architecture and manmade structures.

Known as “Grand Port Maritime du Havre”, because of its strategical position and sheer size, Le Havre’s port has been a public institution and of great importance for maritime and trade activities since as far back as the 16th century.

It’s also seen as the birthplace of ‘Impressionism‘, the city where famous painter Claude Monet grew up, he depicted Le Havre in his dreamy painterly style in many of his earlier works.

Rewarding all those who visit, Le Havre definitely offers a different experience!

A brief history

Nothing like Monet’s paintings of 19th century classic architecture lining the harbour filled with grand sailing ships, Le Havre has changed drastically from what it once was.

Largely destroyed by bombs in the second world war, the city had to rebuild itself quite literally to be back on the map. The design team was headed by the famous architects Auguste Perret and Oscar Niemeyer, who have built a city that exudes urban form and almost feels dystopian to how precise and organised it is.

Upon visiting Le Havre nowadays, visitors can get a real feel for the maritime importance and history while marvel at colourful, artistic modernity and resilience of the city that has resulted post-war.

Is Le Havre worth visiting?

Unfortunately, Le Havre has gained somewhat of a negative reputation among the French and international tourists alike as somewhere which isn’t really worth the visit. Many say that it’s too ugly and not really worth the stop over.

And while it’s true that Le Havre is probably not as aesthetically pleasing as some other quaint Normandy towns in the region, there’s plenty of attractions to keep even the most discerning of travellers occupied.

Best things to do in Le Havre

Abundant with different things to see and explore, read on to uncover the best of what Le Havre has to offer! There’s something for everyone in this quirky seaside city.

Museum of Modern Art André Malraux

Opened in 1845, this is Le Havre’s first museum and it’s home to one of the most extensive collections of impressionist works, this is a must-see for lovers of art!

In September 1944, as mentioned previously, the museum wad completely destroyed by bombings and many works were lost, in fact, only the paintings (some of 1,500) were moved off site for safekeeping during the war, survived.

The museum itself is not too far away from the beach, offering sweeping views of the sea and boats resting on the harbour front, it makes for a tranquil and romantic setting to view the beautiful artworks on display.

Named after the minister of culture, André Malraux, today visitors can visit its huge collection of arts. Open to the public every day except Monday. Find out more about ticket prices and opening times here.

St Joseph’s Church

This striking Roman Catholic church was designed by the chief architect and head of design, Perret, built between 1951 and 1958. Stretching high into the sky at 107 meters, this iconic landmark is often referred to as the “lighthouse at the heart of the city”, holding on to its maritime past while representing the rebirth of the city!

Some have compared it to a similar style of that of New York skyscrapers, a vertical thrust of concrete thats angular in dimension and shape. However, its facade is only the beginning of this impressive structure, inside vistors can marvel at the 12,768 multicoloured hand-blown stained-glass windows that line its walls.

Situated in downtown Le Havre, this dominates the city’s skyline and acts as a beacon to those arriving by boat into Le Havre’s port.

Enjoy the sunset

There’s nothing more dreamy and atmospheric than watching the sunset melt into the sea like a little lava-like-blob, and the city of Le Havre is no exception!

Strolling along Le Havre Beach while the warming hues of pinks and orange bounce off of the glossy sand truly makes for an enchanting evening when visiting. Another great spot to watch the sunset is from The Hanging Gardens perched on the heights of Le Havre.

Covered market hall

Imagine all the traditional delicious French delicacies and fresh produce you can think of and you’ll find it at Le Havre’s market.

Situated in Place des Halles Centrales, the covered market is open daily and visitors can explore the mouthwatering delights that vendors are offering. You can also visit one of the many small cosy cafes that are inside, the perfect spot to grab a quick snack or caffeine fix!

On Sunday morning’s there’s another market which lines the outside of the market hall, abundant with even more treasures of the region.

Visit the beach

A stretch of sandy pebble beaches border Le Havre, and all the beaches make for fabulous destinations, especially during the summer months, and are especially romantic spots to catch the sunset!

You can enjoy the beauty of the beach all year round, however as Le Havre is a destination that feels the full force of all four seasons, it’s most likely you will only want to brave the English Channel during the hotter months of July and August.

Offering stunning views of the city skyline and its striking architecture, the beach makes for the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, either lounging on the sand, eating and drinking at one of the waterfront bars or taking a fresh-water dip in the sea!

Top tip: as the beaches are both sand and pebbles, we definitely recommend bringing some kind of beach footwear like flip-flops or water shoes, just as it can be quite uncomfortable to walk on!

There are also a few other beaches in the area, a favourite has to be Etretat Beach, but all are worth the visit:

• Sainte-Adresse Beach: just along the coastline it begins at the Regatta Promenade, because of its location there’s more wind, making more waves that are ideal for water sports like kite-surfing
• Saint-Jouin Bruneval Beach: situated in the litttle seaside village not far from Le Harve, this beach is a little off the beaten track, and offers a special and tranquil vibe
• Tilleul Beach: another off the beaten track, you’ll have to walk 1.5km to make it to this beach that’s situated at the bottom of the Antifer Valley
• Etretat Beach: nestled between the Aval and Avont cliffs, this seaside gem is absolutely stunning and at low tide you can even venture through the man-made tunnel “trou à l’homme”

Le Havre Port de Plaisance

Located just a step away from the beach and a short distance from the art museum is the Port de Plaisance, one of the only French marinas that never sleeps, it’s accessible 24 hours of the day.

The main port accommodates 1,200 berths, and is in fact the second largest port in all of France!

This beautiful port is a spectacular way to delve into the importance and history of Le Havre’s maritime activities, and you can even take a leisurely guided boat ride along the coast of Le Havre! Find a guided tour here.

Le Perret architecture

Auguste Perret was a modern architect with a big vision, he was also one of the world’s pioneers in employing the use of concrete, believing he could achieve new effects with this cheap and versatile material, and that he did!

Bold, grand and minimalist, Perret and his team of designers transformed Le Havre into the first modern city of France, it’s become a popular destination for lovers of design and these fabulous works can be admired and marvelled at throughout the city.

The Auguste Perret show flat

An absolute must-see is the ‘Show Flat’, an example of one of the apartments that has been furnished as it would have been in the 1950s. Reminiscent of classic Scandinavian design, this has been kept to showcase the initial vision Perret had for housing Le Havre’s residents post-war.

Le Volcan

Situated in the city centre’s former port, this interesting structure was given its name after a volcano, because of its two atypical chimneys.

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Le Volcan is a cultural area around the Place Gambetta. Hailed as one of the most prestigious pieces of architecture in the city, it’s a shopping complex and venue for entertainment, housing a cinema, theatre and even a library!

Le Havre Cathedral

The oldest and one of the few surviving buildings of Le Havre before the war. While possibly not seen as impressive as St Joseph’s church, this 16th century Baroque and Gothic styled cathedral is an important piece of history and not one to be missed while visiting Le Havre.

Enjoy dinner on the boardwalk

French food is always a yes, and being situated on the coastline you are more than guaranteed to have the freshest and most delicious seafood options.

Dining with a view in this cosy seaside city is an absolute must! Le Havre is a haven for traditional Normandy food. Here are just a few restaurants that we recommend:

• Le Grignot, one of the most famous brasseries of the city, opposite the volcano area of Le Havre
• La Taverne Paillette, specialising in seafood this brasserie even has a heated terrace!
• Les Régates, situated right on the edge of the marina, offering gourmet and refined French cuisine

La Havre is also home to Michelin starred restaurant, Jean-Luc Tartarin, for any foodies looking for the ultimate experience of indulgence, this is the place to treat yourself!

Vincent Ganivet’s Catene de Containers

This larger than life installation designed by artist Vincent Ganivet is situated just along the waterfront and is made entirely out of colourful shipping containers.

The sculpture was installed in 2017 and has since become one of Le Havre’s beloved landmarks, definitely giving visitors the wow-factor, it has even been dubbed as Le Havre’s very own Eiffel Tower!

The two monumental arches curve over one another and the bold bright colours act as a huge contrast to the neutral hues and straight lines of the modern buildings that sit behind them. A visual spectacle, this work of art only adds to Le Havre’s architectural wonder and it’s a must-see monument!

Hanging Gardens

One of the more hidden gems of Le Havre that’s worth checking out is the Hanging Gardens. This green oasis is set atop a former 19th century fort and boasts of exceptional panoramic views of the Seine estuary and the city!

Visitors can escape the city and venture into the botanical wonders that reside on this hilltop, home to a collection of greenhouses and well kept gardens, the Hanging Gardens make for a great place to spend the afternoon. Be sure to visit The Orangeraie while there, a beautiful cafe where you can grab a freshly squeezed fruit juice and admire the views in tranquility.

Walk along the seafront

Ice-cream in hand, a leisurely afternoon activity is simply just walking along the seafront. Le Havre’s promenade stretches over 5 kilometres, lined with bars and restaurants there’s plenty to see as you stroll along.

The Alabaster Coast makes has some stunning coastal routes situated along the cliffs, making for the perfect way to enjoy the views of the sea while also venturing further out of the city!

Look at street art

A haven for art and design! It’s not just the very building that make up the city that make for an impressive sight. Le Havre is littered with artworks, from huge looming sculptures to beautiful wall murals.

Renowned internationally as the cradle for street artists, you can spot works by the likes of:

• Gouzou: hides a little orange character in various different situations, in all corners of the city
• Teuthis: decorates Le Havre with geometric shapes that compliment the modernity of the city
• David Karsenty: revisits cult characters and transforms them using his own imaginative style

There’s no end to the masterpieces and small decorative artworks in the city, and simply wandering through and getting lost will allow you to be pleasantly surprised!

Where to stay in Le Havre

Hôtel et Spa Vent d’Ouest: Conveniently located close to the heart of town, this four-star hotel boasts amenities such as a spa, restaurant and bar onsite, and parking for an extra charge. Check prices and availability here.

Hilton Garden Inn Le Havre Centre: This comfortable and modern four-star hotel offers free parking, a bar, and baggage storage. Check prices and availability here.

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