LE HAVRE© Ludovic MAISANT
Le Havre, UNESCO World Heritage Site, birthplace of Impressionism, major port and seaside resort, lies across the Channel on Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. Boasting architecture, culture and a lively social scene, this modern city has top restaurants and hotels, and is the perfect base for exploring nearby Honfleur, Étretat and Rouen.
5 WAYS TO #FEELLEHAVRE
Taste
Le Havre’s answer to the Orient Express
Enjoy afternoon tea or dinner and an architectural tour of the city in the elegant ‘Bee Le Havre’ restaurant bus! Over two hours, passengers learn about and see for themselves Le Havre’s famous UNESCO World Heritage quarter, all while enjoying some quality Norman cuisine.
Sight
Panoramic views of the city
Throughout 2018, the 17th floor of Le Havre Town Hall will be open to the public on weekends and bank holidays, offering 180° views of the sea and Seine estuary, as well as a bird’s eye view of architect Perret’s UNESCO-listed town planning.
Smell
Fresh off the fishing boat
Not just a major port, Le Havre is a fishing hub, with boats leaving the harbour every day (weather permitting) to catch fresh fish which is then sold to local restaurants and at the fish market in the Saint-François neighbourhood. Be sure to visit the market during your stay!
Touch
Feel the sand between your toes
Le Havre is a city by the sea, so after getting your fix of world heritage and Norman cuisine, why not enjoy a relaxing walk barefoot in the sea? Or get inspired after a visit to the modern art museum and sculpt your own masterpiece in the sand!
www.lehavretourisme.com/en/discover/most-famous/beach-city
Hear
Port of call
The sound of ocean liners docking in the old port, and clanking machinery in its busy shipping container counterpart (Port 2000), is a daily testament to Le Havre’s maritime identity. A tour of the ports is a must if you want to absorb the city’s heritage.
NEED TO KNOW
Visitors from the UK travelling to Le Havre can catch a direct ferry from Portsmouth, fly from London Stansted to Deauville-Normandie (40 minutes from Le Havre) or travel from London by train via Paris.
A LOCAL’S TOP TIP
Museums in Le Havre are open all year round excluding bank holidays and Mondays, with free entry on the first Saturday of the month and for visitors under 26.
FOR THE DIARY
Born of foam and dreams exhibition at the André Malraux Modern Art Museum, which features seascapes from the 19th and 20th centuries – 5 May-9 September www.muma-lehavre.fr/en/exhibitions/born-foam-and-dreams
MoZ’aïque World Music Festival at the Hanging Gardens, featuring more than 200 international musicians playing jazz, blues, classical, reggae and more – 18-22 July www.lehavre.fr/agenda/mozaique
Le Havre, alongside eight other French cities, will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 at the new Stade Océane – 7 June-7 July www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/index.html
Start of the three-week, four-stage race Solitaire Urgo le Figaro from Le Havre, which will finish in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie on the Atlantic Coast – 26 August www.lasolitaire-urgo.com/en
Le Havre’s annual music festival Ouest Park will return to the Fort de Tourneville, featuring an eclectic mix of musicians, performers, DJs and genres – October (dates TBC) www.festicket.com/festivals/ouest-park-festival/2018
LE HAVRE © Ludovic MAISANT
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