If you are not someone who likes or wants to climb stairs, this article is not for you. On the other hand, if you like a physical challenge, read on. The city of Le Havre is built partially at sea-level and partially on top of the cliffs that adjoin the sea. In the old days […]

Le Havre used to be a busy ferry station, with two ferry operators going to the UK and Ireland. But that has been reduced to one operator going to Portsmouth in the UK. Which is strange, since Le Havre lies geographically the closest to Paris, the main motorway (A13) and the ferry station lies almost […]

Continuing its 500 year celebrations in style, and using the latest technology, the city of Le Havre has installed its first two 360° VR (Virtual Reality) terminals for the visiting public. Le Havre is the second city (after Paris) to use these high-tech visitor tools supplied by upstart TimeScope.   The terminals look like they […]

The recently (in 1974) appointed cathedral of Le Havre, the “Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Havre“, is nothing to write home about. Outside it is interesting, but inside it’s pretty drab. Its only saving grace is that it has an incredibly beautiful and imposing organ. It is also the oldest structure in Le Havre that survived (more or less) […]

If you’re not that much into big museums but prefer to see old-fashion houses, the “Maison de l’Armateur” is a great visit (and it’s also a museum). The house, built in 1790, was owned by a ship owner (although he did not commission the building of the house). After having served as a house, a […]

The Le Havre Villa Maritime has a colourful past. Built in 1890 for a wealthy woman, the Villa was sold and taken over several times.   The Villa is located alongside the Le Havre Beach, accessible by the beach road and above. During World War II, the Germans took over the Villa and used it […]

Despite the heavy bombings during WWII, Le Havre still has one of its beautiful castles mostly intact; the Gadelles castle.   The “Chateau des Gadelles” is also known as “Porte de Burgos” after the 14th century “Arco de Santa Maria” castle in Burgos, Spain which it was modelled on. In 1874 the original architect of the […]

Every two years, the epic yacht race from Le Havre to South America is held. Called the Transat Jacques Vabre, the first ever race was held in 1993. The race is also called the “Route du Cafe”, since it joins Le Havre with the historical coffee growing places in South America. The main sponsor of the race, […]

The modern art (take the word “modern” lightly) museum of Le Havre, the Andre Malraux museum also known as the MuMa, is France’s 2nd largest museum of impressionist paintings.   The museum was named after the former Minister of Culture, Andre Malraux, who opened the museum in 1961. This museum was the first major museum […]

Le Havre, although not a world capital, counts one 2-star Michelin restaurant (3 stars is the very top); Jean-Luc Tartarin.   The Michelin guide regularly tests these rated restaurants (anonymously) to ensure that the restaurant is as it should be. And when you have 2 Michelin stars, you are at the top of your profession (in […]

The Jardins Suspendu, in English the Hanging Gardens is a vast garden on the heights of Le Havre overlooking the city.   The whole garden area is built on an old fort. The building of the Fort de St. Adresse started in 1854. Although not directly involved during the First World War (it eventually became a […]

Le Havre, founded in 1517 by King Francois I, is a coastal city on the west of France, in the Normandy region. It is France’s 2nd largest harbour (after Marseilles) and Europe’s 5th biggest in terms of container ship movements.   Apart from the container ships, there are many oil and gas tankers, cruise ships […]

The harbour of Le Havre is France’s second largest, second after Marseilles, and the biggest in France for containers (and Europe’s 5th largest). Every day you can see many big cargo ships arrive or depart from this port.   In fact, there are two main harbours; the “historical one” and “Port 2000“. The first one […]

  Transport Getting there Ferry: From Southampton and Portsmouth direct to Le Havre, or from Newhaven to Dieppe and then the A29 to Le Havre. Air: There is an airport, but there are no scheduled flights anymore, just charters. Within Le Havre Within Le Havre, there is a good public transportation system, including a modern […]

The beach of Le Havre is the prime destination of the city’s inhabitants and for many who come from as far away as Paris. As is the case with most of Upper Normandy, the beach is made out of pebbles, not sand. But in the summer months it gets very busy, thanks to the fact […]

Of all the things to see in Le Havre, this is probably the number one item. Le Havre is not a touristy city with a lot of monuments, but the Saint-Joseph church is special, very special.   The St. Joseph church is first of all the most noticeable landmark of the city, to be seen miles […]