Le Havre is a large port city located in the Seine-Maritime department within the Normandy region of northern France. It lies on the right bank of the Seine River estuary on the English Channel, southwest of the Pays de Caux, near the Prime Meridian. Le Havre is the busiest port along the northern French coast and the largest container port in France. It is the second-largest city in the Normandy region, with the population of the greater Le Havre area being smaller than that of Rouen. It is also the second-largest subprefecture in France, after Reims. The name "Le Havre" means "the harbor" or "the port." People who live in Le Havre are called Havrais or Havraises.

The city and port were established by King Francis I in 1517. During the early modern period, economic growth was slowed by religious wars, conflicts with England, diseases, and storms. Starting in the late 18th century, Le Havre began to grow, with the port expanding through the slave trade and later international trade. After the 1944 bombings, the firm of Auguste Perret rebuilt the city using concrete. The oil, chemical, and automotive industries thrived during the postwar boom, but the 1970s marked the end of the golden age of ocean liners and the start of an economic decline. Population numbers dropped, unemployment rose, and high unemployment continues today.

Between 1990 and 2000, the right-wing party won municipal elections and led the city toward economic change, focusing on developing the service sector and new industries such as aeronautics and wind turbines. The Port 2000 project expanded container capacity to compete with northern European ports, transformed southern areas of the city, and brought ocean liners back. Modern Le Havre remains strongly connected to its history of employment and maritime traditions. Its port is the second-largest in France by total traffic, after Marseille, and the largest French container port.

In 2005, UNESCO recognized the central area of Le Havre as a World Heritage Site due to its unique post-World War II reconstruction and architecture. The André Malraux Modern Art Museum holds the second-largest collection of impressionist paintings in France. The city has received two flower awards from the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of Cities and Villages in Bloom.

Toponym

The name of the town was recorded in 1489, even before it was officially founded by François I. At that time, it was called "le Hable de Grace" and later "Ville de Grace" in 1516, two years before its official founding. Another name, "Franciscopolis," was used briefly to honor King François I but was not kept. A later name, "Havre Marat," was linked to Jean-Paul Marat during the French Revolution but was not officially used. This explains why the part of the name "-de-Grace" was not restored. This part of the name likely referred to the Chapel of Notre Dame, which was located at the site of the cathedral of the same name. The chapel faced the Chapel of Notre Dame de Grace in Honfleur across the estuary. The word "havre," meaning "port," was no longer used by the end of the 18th or early 19th centuries but remains in the phrase "havre de paix," which means "safe haven." The word "havre" is generally believed to have come from Middle Dutch in the 12th century. A Germanic origin might explain the missing "h" sound at the beginning of the word. The town Havre de Grace, Maryland, in the United States, still uses the "-de Grace" part from colonial times.

New research shows that the term was used as early as the 12th century in Norman texts in forms like "Hable," "hafne," "havene," "havne," and "haule," which makes a Dutch origin less likely. Instead, a Scandinavian origin seems more plausible, as the old Scandinavian word "höfn" (or "hafn") meant "natural harbor" or "haven." The word "étrave," which is clearly of Scandinavian origin, also appears in similar forms like "estable" and likely comes from the ancient Scandinavian word "stafn."

History

When the city was founded in 1517, it was named Franciscopolis after Francis I of France. Later, it was renamed Le Havre-de-Grâce, which means "Harbor of Grace" (this name is also used for Havre de Grace, Maryland). The city was built to replace older harbors at Honfleur and Harfleur, which had become less useful because of sediment buildup.

The city’s history is closely connected to its harbor. In the 18th century, as trade from the West Indies joined trade with France and Europe, Le Havre began to grow. On November 19, 1793, the city was renamed Hâvre de Marat, and later Hâvre-Marat, to honor Jean-Paul Marat, a man seen as a martyr of the French Revolution. However, by early 1795, Marat’s memory was less respected, and the city changed its name again to simply Le Havre, its current name.

During the 19th century, Le Havre became an industrial center. In the early 1800s, it was the most important port for cotton, supplying France, Switzerland, and Germany with imported cotton. Jules Siegfried was part of a family of cotton printers in Le Havre. Jules Lecesne was a well-known cotton importer from the city. After World War I ended, Le Havre played a major role as a port used to manage the war’s aftermath.

The city was heavily damaged during the Battle of Normandy, when 5,000 people were killed and 12,000 homes were completely destroyed before the city was captured during Operation Astonia. Between 1945 and the 1960s, the city center was rebuilt using modernist designs created by Auguste Perret.

Geography

Le Havre is located 50 kilometres (31 miles) west of Rouen on the shore of the English Channel and at the mouth of the Seine. Many roads connect to Le Havre, with the main routes being the A29 autoroute from Amiens and the A13 autoroute from Paris, which links to the A131 autoroute.

Administratively, Le Havre is a commune in the Normandy region, in the western part of the Seine-Maritime department. The urban area of Le Havre is part of the Agglomeration community of Le Havre (CODAH), which includes 17 communes and 250,000 people. It is located at the southwestern tip of the natural region of Pays de Caux, where it is the largest city. Le Havre lies between the coast of the English Channel, stretching from the southwest to the northwest, and the Seine estuary to the south.

Le Havre is part of the Paris Basin, a geological area formed during the Mesozoic period. This region is made up of sedimentary rocks. The commune of Le Havre has two areas separated by a natural cliff. One area is in the southern part of the town, including the harbor, city center, and suburbs. This area was built on land that was once marshes and mudflats, which were drained in the 16th century. The soil here contains several meters of alluvium or silt deposited by the Seine. The city center was rebuilt after World War II using a layer of flattened rubble as a foundation.

The northern part of the town is on the Cauchois plateau. The highest point in this area is the Dollemard neighborhood, which is between 90 and 115 meters (295 and 377 feet) above sea level. The plateau has a layer of flinty clay and fertile silt. Beneath the surface, the bedrock is made of chalk that can be up to 200 meters (656 feet) thick. The slope of the coast makes it vulnerable to landslides.

Because of its location on the English Channel, Le Havre has a temperate oceanic climate. Wind is common, and maritime influences are present throughout the year. According to records from the Cap de la Heve meteorological station (1961–1990), temperatures drop below 0°C (32°F) on 24.9 days per year and rise above 25°C (77°F) on 11.3 days per year. The average annual sunshine is 1,785.8 hours.

Precipitation occurs throughout the year, with the most rain in autumn and winter. June and July often have thunderstorms for about two days each month. Temperatures in the region vary greatly, even within a single day. Strong winds usually come from the southwest, while lighter breezes blow from the north-northeast. Snowstorms are common in winter, especially in January and February.

The highest recorded wind speed at Le Havre–Cap de la Heve was 180 kilometers per hour (112 miles per hour) on 16 October 1987.

Natural risks in Le Havre include floods, storms, and storm surges. The lower town is affected by rising groundwater levels. The lack of rivers within the commune prevents flooding from overflowing waterways. Le Havre’s beach may occasionally flood due to strong winds, high waves, and large tidal ranges.

A study by Aphekom compared ten large French cities and found that Le Havre is the least polluted city in France. It is also the third-best city in France with more than 100,000 residents for air quality. In 2009, a carbon accounting study showed the city released 32,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually. In 2011, sulfur dioxide emissions from industry ranged from three micrograms per cubic meter in the city center to twelve micrograms per cubic meter in the Caucriauville district.

Le Havre aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 3% each year. Solar panels have been installed on several municipal buildings, such as the city hall and hanging gardens. Since 2008, Le Havre has been part of the Energy Cities network, following the Agenda 21 plan and an environmental approach to urban planning. The city has won multiple eco-label awards, including the Energy of the Future label (2009–2011) and the Sustainable Earth label (2009). Since 1998, Le Havre’s beach has received the Blue Flag award yearly for its facilities, which cover 30,000 meters.

Le Havre has many green spaces (750 hectares or 41 square meters per person), including Montgeon Forest and Rouelles Park in the upper town. The Priory of Graville gardens and hanging gardens offer views of the lower city. In the city center, Saint-Roch Square and the City Hall Gardens provide recreational areas. The Beach Gardens and Hauser Park (caves) contain diverse ecosystems. The Dollemard Plateau was designated a "Sensitive Natural Area" in 2001 to protect its landscape and ecosystems. The city’s streets are lined with 13,000 trees of 150 different varieties.

Layout

The city was mostly destroyed by the Allies during World War II. It was rebuilt between 1945 and 1964 according to the plans of architect Auguste Perret. Only the City Hall and the Church of Saint Joseph (107 meters high) were designed personally by Auguste Perret. In 2005, UNESCO listed Le Havre as a World Heritage Site because of its reconstruction work. This area, covering 133 hectares, is one of the few modern sites in Europe recognized for its architecture. The buildings use precast concrete in a system with a 6.24-meter modular frame and straight lines.

A famous building in the city center is the House of Culture, built in 1982 by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. It is nicknamed "the Volcano" because of its shape. From 2012, the building was renovated both inside and outside with changes approved by the architect, including more open spaces toward the plaza.

The Notre Dame and Perrey neighborhoods are mainly residential. Les Halles is a major shopping area in the city. The Saint Francis neighborhood was rebuilt starting in 1950 with a different style: brick buildings and sloped slate roofs. This area is known for its restaurants and fish market.

To the east and north of the rebuilt city center are older neighborhoods (Danton, Saint-Vincent, Graville, Massillon, etc.) that survived World War II bombings. These buildings, usually made of brick, date from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Shops are concentrated along major roads in the Rond-Point neighborhood. During the 1990s and 2000s, these areas saw major improvements, including better housing, public facilities, and business development.

Near the railway station, the area has changed greatly since the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The station is a key entry point to the city, with main roads intersecting there. New buildings, such as the University of Le Havre, the conservatory, and offices for SPB, CMA CGM, Novotel, Matmut, and CCI, have been built. Some were designed by famous architects. The bus station, certified in 2005, was also renovated. North of the station, a new project on the old Turgot-Magellan island will open in 2013. It includes 12,500 square meters of office space and an eight-story hotel with shops on the ground floor.

The southern parts of Le Havre are used for industrial and port activities. These areas have 19th-century brick buildings, large developments (Chicago, Les Neiges), worker housing, small businesses, warehouses, docks, and transport systems.

In recent years, European funding has helped change the southern districts. Old areas once focused on industry and ports are now being developed for services like shopping and events. The docks have been turned into sports and entertainment areas (Dock Océane), a mall (Docks Vauban), and an exhibition hall (Docks Café). Les Bains Des Docks was designed by architect Jean Nouvel. In 2012, new buildings for Sciences-Po Europe Asia and INSA were added near ISEL and the future ENSM. A new medical area around the Clinic des Ormeaux includes homes to encourage a mix of people. The City of the Sea and Sustainable Development (Odyssey 21) will center around a 100-meter metal tower by Jean Nouvel. This project was paused in 2007 but is expected to start in 2013. The city aims to attract 300,000 visitors yearly.

The upper part of Le Havre has three areas: the "coast," suburban districts on the plateau, and large housing estates on the edges.

The "coast" neighborhoods (Dead Cliff) are mostly residential. Western areas like Les Ormeaux and Rue Felix Faure are wealthier, while eastern areas like St. Cecilia and Aplemont are more modest. The Jenner tunnel runs under the coast, connecting the upper and lower parts of the city. Two forts (Sainte-Adresse and Tourneville) and the main cemetery (Sainte-Marie) are also on the coast. As the city’s military role ended, the forts are being repurposed. Fort Sainte-Adresse now has a garden, and Fort Tourneville hosted a music project in 2013.

North of the coast, suburban areas like Rouelles, Sainte-Cecile, la Mare au Clerc, Sanvic, Bleville, and Dollemard were developed in the early 19th century. Between Bleville and Octeville Airport, a new area called "Les Hauts de Bleville" is being built. This eco-district includes homes, a school, and a development zone with 1,000 housing units.

After World War II, the outer parts of Le Havre grew with large housing estates in areas like Caucriauville, Bois de Bleville, Mont-Gaillard, and Mare-rouge. These areas have many people living in difficult conditions. In 2004, the National Agency for Urban Renewal (ANRU) signed an agreement with the city to improve these neighborhoods. Over 340 million euros was provided to rebuild homes in northern areas where about 41,000 people live. This funding supports the Grand Projet de Ville (GPV) and includes plans to demolish and rebuild over 1,700 homes.

Transport

For many years, Le Havre has used the advantages of its coastal location but has also faced challenges because of its isolation. To improve access to the city, the harbor highway A131 (E05) was built. This highway connects Le Havre to the A13 motorway over Tancarville Bridge. The city is about one hour from Rouen and one and a half hours from Île-de-France. More recently, the A29 motorway (E44) was built to connect Le Havre to northern France. This highway crosses the Normandy Bridge, making Amiens (in the northeast) about two hours away and Caen (in the southwest) about one hour away.

The TER train network was updated with the creation of the LER line in 2001 and direct train service to Fécamp in 2005. Thirteen Corail trains on the Paris–Le Havre line connect Le Havre station to Bréauté-Beuzeville, Yvetot, Rouen, and Paris Saint-Lazare station. Additionally, a TGV train service runs daily to Le Havre, connecting the city to Marseille since December 2004. This service stops at Rouen, Mantes-la-Jolie, Versailles, Massy, Lyon, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Saint Charles station in Marseille. There are also local train services from Le Havre station to Rolleville and Fécamp. Le Havre-Graville station, located in the eastern part of the city, is served by trains to Rolleville.

There is no direct rail link between Le Havre and Caen. However, plans called the "Southwest Line" were studied in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to connect Le Havre to the left bank of the Seine near the river’s estuary. These plans were never completed. For public transport, people must travel to Rouen by train or bus (using the No. 20 Green Bus). A Gray Coach service connects Le Havre to Étretat and Fécamp, and VTNI provides inter-urban services to destinations in the Seine valley and Rouen on behalf of the Seine-Maritime Department. AirPlus also offers a shuttle service to railway stations and airports in Paris.

Le Havre Octeville Airport is located 5 km (3 miles) north of Le Havre in the town of Octeville-sur-Mer and is managed by CODAH. However, the airport does not currently have scheduled flights to or from Le Havre. Air travel is served by Caen–Carpiquet Airport, which is about 54 km away from Le Havre.

The main travel destination is the transport hub in Lyon. Each year, local travel agencies offer holiday trips to places like Tunisia, the Balearic Islands, Portugal, Greece, and Bulgaria by chartering aircraft. The Flying Club Jean Maridor also operates at the airport.

Maritime links between Le Havre and Portsmouth, England, were operated by P&O Ferries until September 30, 2005. These services were later taken over by LD Lines, which changed the route configuration. Two daily services to Portsmouth ran from the Terminal de la Citadelle until operations ceased in 2014. The route is now operated by Brittany Ferries. The link to Ireland was moved to the port of Cherbourg. Travel times to Portsmouth range from five hours and thirty minutes to eight hours. Alternative routes include Newhaven to Dieppe and Poole to Cherbourg.

Le Havre and its surrounding area have a dense transportation network that connects the lower town and upper town through long boulevards, winding roads, stairs, a funicular, and the Jenner tunnel.

The CODAH transport network, called Lia, is operated by the Ocean Port Transport company (CTPO), a subsidiary of Veolia Transport. A bus network overhaul in 2008 improved services for all towns in the metropolitan area. CTPO operates 19 regular urban bus routes and six evening routes called the "Midnight Bus." The Le Havre urban area has 165 vehicles and 41 regular bus routes, carrying about 100,000 passengers daily. Since January 2011, a shuttle service has been added for the Industrial Zone and Port of Le Havre, supplementing the cross-estuary service of VTNI. Since 1890, the funicular has connected the upper town and lower town in four minutes using a cable car.

Le Havre had a tramway system from 1894 until it closed in 1957. A new tramway system, with 23 stations and 13 km (8 miles) of track, was built and opened on December 12, 2012. The first part of the line connects the beach to the station, climbing to the upper town through a new tunnel near the Jenner tunnel. The line then splits into two: one heading to Mont-Gaillard and the other to Caucriauville.

Since 2001, the Le Havre agglomeration has operated the LER, a TER line connecting Le Havre station to Rolleville and passing through five other SNCF railway stations in the urban area.

From 2005, efforts to build segregated cycle paths have increased, including a connection to the Greenway, which is expected to become an important network. Between 2007 and 2011, the total length of cycle paths doubled to 46 km (29 miles). Bicycles can be rented through Océane bus agencies or from the town hall (Vel-H). There are also 140 taxis in Le Havre that serve 25 stations.

Politics and administration

Le Havre is one of two sub-prefectures in the Seine-Maritime department and the second largest sub-prefecture in France after Reims. It is the capital of the Arrondissement of Le Havre, which includes 168 communes. It is also the largest member of the Le Havre Seine Métropole.

Since 2015, the city of Le Havre has been divided into six Cantons, some of which include neighboring communes. For parliamentary elections, Le Havre is part of two constituencies: the seventh (former cantons I, V, VI, and VII) and the eighth (former cantons II, III, IV, VIII, IX).

Several politicians lived in Le Havre at some point in their lives. Jules Lecesne (1818–1878), Jules Siegfried (1837–1922), and Félix Faure (1841–1899) served as city council members and members of parliament. A pool, a shopping center, and a street in Le Havre are named after René Coty, who was President of the French Republic from 1954 to 1959. Christine Lagarde, born in 1956, attended high school in Le Havre before becoming Minister of the Economy and Director-General of the International Monetary Fund in 2011.

Since October 23, 2010, the mayor of Le Havre has been Édouard Philippe (UMP). He also leads the CODAH and has served in the National Assembly for the 7th district of Seine-Maritime since 2012. He replaced Antoine Rufenacht (UMP), who was mayor for fifteen years before resigning. The Communist Party of France influenced Le Havre strongly from 1956 to 1995. In the 7th electoral district (city center and western areas), voters tend to support right-wing candidates, while in the 8th electoral district (eastern areas), voters often support left-wing candidates. For example, in the 2007 presidential election, 55.05% of voters in the 7th district chose Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP) over Ségolène Royal (PS), while 55.02% of voters in the 8th district supported the Socialist candidate. In the 2012 election, the Socialist candidate won both districts, with a smaller margin in the 7th district (51.71% for Hollande) than in the 8th (64.21% for Hollande).

The population of Le Havre is between 150,000 and 199,999, so the city has 59 council members. The mayor, 41 aldermen, and 17 deputies make up the council, which was elected in 2008. The council meets once a month at the town hall, and most meetings are open to the public.

Le Havre has grown by adding neighboring communes over time:
– 1852: Ingouville and parts of Graville-l'Eure and Sanvic
– 1919: All of Graville-Sainte-Honorine
– 1953: Bleville
– 1955: All of Sanvic
– 1971: Part of Harfleur (a district of Caucriauville)
– 1973: Rouelles (with the status of an associated commune, 3,184 residents in 2006)

The Le Havre Palace of Justice is located on Boulevard de Strasbourg. It includes a high court, a juvenile court, and a commercial court. The city also has a Labour Court and District Court. Services available include legal aid and penalty enforcement. Le Havre is part of the Court of Appeal of Rouen. The old prison, built during the Second Empire, was destroyed in 2012. A new prison, completed in 2010 in Saint-Aubin-Routot, has an area of 32,000 square meters and can hold 690 people.

The Hospital Group of Havre is a public health facility managed by a board chaired by the mayor of Le Havre. Its main parts include Flaubert Hospital (the oldest, located downtown), Monod Hospital (in Montivilliers), Pierre Janet Hospital (psychiatry), a facility for adolescents, day hospitals, and senior residences. It is the largest employer in the CODAH. Jacques Monod Hospital, built in 1987, provides full medical care in fields such as medicine, surgery, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, rehabilitation, and public health.

Private clinics in Le Havre include the Estuary Clinic, which combines the old Petit Colmoulins and François I clinics, and the Ormeaux Clinic, located in the Eure neighborhood.

During the first half of the 20th century, the 129th Infantry Regiment of the Line was stationed in Le Havre and left a lasting impact on the city, leading to a street being named after them. The 74th Infantry Regiment of Commandos was stationed there from 1963 to 1976. Le Havre is also the godmother city for BPC Mistral. The ceremony took place at the City Hall on November 15, 2009, during a stop at the building.

For elections to the National Assembly, Le Havre is divided between the 7th and 8th constituencies of Seine-Maritime. These districts are currently represented by Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo and Jean-Paul Lecoq.

Demographics

Le Havre had a large increase in population during the second half of the 19th century. Later, the population loss caused by World War I was made up by adding the town of Graville, which increased Le Havre’s population by 27,215 people between 1911 and 1921. During World War II, the population dropped sharply, with a loss of 57,149 people between 1936 and 1946 because of people leaving the area and bombings. After the war, the population grew until 1975. Since then, the population has decreased again, especially between 1975 and 1982, when an industrial crisis caused a drop of 18,494 people. The trend continued in the 1980s but at a slower rate. Today, the city’s goal is to build new homes to attract more people and reach a population of over 200,000, a number that was achieved in the 1960s. In 1999, Le Havre had 191,000 people, making it the 12th most populous city in France and the most populous in Normandy. In 2022, the population of Le Havre was 166,462 people. The urban area had 232,052 people, and the metropolitan area had 335,499 people.

Between 2012 and 2017, the birth rate was 14.3 per 1,000 people, and the death rate was 10.4 per 1,000 people. Although the natural increase rate was positive, it could not balance the negative net migration rate of -0.7%. In 2017, 19% of Le Havre’s population was under 15 years old, and 39% were under 30, which was higher than the average for France. About 24% of men and 26% of women were over 60 years old. The most crowded areas were the city center, Sanvic, Caucriauville, Anatole France/Danton, and Côte Ouest/Ormeaux. In 2009, about 8,525 people living in Le Havre were foreign-born, or 4.8% of the population. About 12,148 immigrants lived in the city, or 6.8% of the urban population. Most were from North Africa (5,060 people) or Africa (3,114 people).

Economic changes in the city have greatly affected the types of jobs and professions since the 1980s. Between 1982 and 1999, the number of workers dropped by about one-third (−10,593 people), and their share of the working population went from 16% in 1982 to 12.5% in 1999. Workers are mostly found in the southern suburbs near the port and industrial areas. At the same time, the number of executives and intellectual workers increased by 24.5%, partly because of the University of Le Havre. In 2017, Le Havre had fewer managers and intellectual workers than the national average (14.4% compared to 18.1%). However, the share of workers (22.5%) was higher than the national average (19.9%). Between 2007 and 2017, the unemployment rate increased from 16.7% to 21.7%, remaining higher than the national average (13.9%). More people in Le Havre worked short-term jobs (CDD and interim work) than the national average. From 2007 to 2017, the percentage of people in Le Havre with a higher education degree rose from 17.3% to 23.2%, compared to 29.9% for all of France.

Economy

The local economy of Le Havre is well developed and has many different industries. However, it depends a lot on large factories, international companies, and smaller businesses that work for these companies. Le Havre is far from important decision-making centers, which are mostly in Paris and other major European cities. Because of this, few large company headquarters are located in Le Havre, except for a few successful local businesses, such as the Sidel Group (now part of Tetra Pak), which sells furniture, and the ship company Delmas, which was recently bought by CMA CGM.

In 2011, the port of Le Havre handled 68.6 million tons of cargo, making it the second-largest seaport in France by trade volume, behind Marseille. It is also the 50th-largest port in the world. The port handles 60% of all container traffic in France, with nearly 2.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2011. In Europe, it ranks eighth in container traffic and sixth in total traffic. The port also receives many oil tankers, which transported 27.5 million tons of crude oil and 11.7 million tons of refined oil products in 2011. In 2010, 340,500 vehicles passed through the port’s roll-on/roll-off terminal. The port connects to 500 ports worldwide through 75 regular shipping lines. Asia is the port’s largest trading partner, accounting for 58% of container imports and 39.6% of container exports. Most other trade goes to Europe and the Americas.

Le Havre is located on the northern side of the Seine River estuary on the English Channel. This location is helpful because it is on the busiest waterway in the world and is the first and last port in the North Sea region of European ports, which handles a quarter of all global maritime trade. As a deepwater port, it can be accessed by all types of ships, regardless of size, at any time. Le Havre is 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Île-de-France, the most populous and wealthiest region in France. Founded in 1517 by King François I, the city has grown to cover 27 kilometers (17 miles) from east to west and about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from north to south, with an area of 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres). A major project called Port 2000 increased the port’s ability to handle containers.

The port provides 16,000 direct jobs in the Le Havre region. Additional jobs are created in industries and transportation. In 2006, about 3,000 people worked in distribution and warehousing, followed by 2,420 in road transport and 2,319 in cargo handling.

In 2011, 715,279 passengers passed through the port, and 95 cruise ships brought 185,000 passengers. The port expects 110 cruise ship visits in 2012. The leisure boat harbor, established in 1934, is the largest in the English Channel and can hold 1,160 boats. There is also a small fishing port in the Saint-François district and a Hawker center.

Most industries are located in the industrial-port area north of the Seine estuary and east of Le Havre. The largest employer in the region is the Renault public company in Sandouville, which employs 2,400 people. The second-largest industry is petrochemicals, with the Le Havre region holding more than a third of France’s refining capacity. It produces about 50% of basic plastics and 80% of additives and oils, supported by over 3,500 researchers in private and public labs. Major chemical companies are located in Le Havre (Millenium Chemicals), Montivilliers (TotalEnergies, Yara, Chevron Oronite SA, Lanxess), and Sandouville (Goodyear Chemicals Europe). In total, 28 industrial plants in the Le Havre area produce plastics, many of which are classified as SECESO.

The aerospace industry includes SAFRAN Nacelles, which makes parts for jet engines and is located in Harfleur, employing 1,200 people from Le Havre. Dresser-Rand SA, which makes equipment for oil and gas, employs about 700 people. In energy, the EDF thermal power plant in Le Havre has a capacity of 1,450 megawatts and uses coal, with 357 employees. AREVA plans to open a wind turbine factory in the port, which could create 1,800 jobs for offshore wind projects in Brittany, the UK, and Normandy.

Other industries are spread throughout the Le Havre area, including the Brûlerie du Havre, which roasts coffee, and Sidel, which makes machines for plastic bottles.

The two largest employers in the service sector are the Groupe Hospitalier du Havre (4,384 staff) and the City of Le Havre (3,467 permanent employees). Many service companies in Le Havre are related to port operations, such as ship-owning and marine insurance companies. Recently, Delmas (1,200 employees) and SPB (500 employees) moved their headquarters near the city. Groupama Transport (300 employees) also has a headquarters there.

Transport is the largest economic sector in Le Havre, accounting for 15.5% of jobs. Logistics is a major part of the economy, and the ISEL trains engineers in this field. Since 2007, the ICC has hosted students from the Europe-Asia campus of the Institute of Political Studies of Paris. Higher education is provided by the University of Le Havre, which employs 399 professors and 850 lecturers, as well as engineering companies like Auxitec and SERO.

The tourism industry has many opportunities, including a UNESCO World Heritage designation, a "Blue Flag" rating for clean beaches, and the "French Towns and Lands of Art and History" label. Cruise ship development and projects like the "City of the Sea" also support tourism. In 2020, the city had 26 hotels with 1,428 rooms.

Le Havre is the location of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Le Havre and manages the Le Havre Octeville Airport.

Culture

Le Havre has many festivals throughout the year. In spring, a new festival for children's books was created. In May, the Fest Yves, a Breton festival, takes place in the Saint-François district. In June, a jazz festival called Dixie Days happens on the beaches of Le Havre and Sainte-Adresse. In July, the Polar room at the Beach hosts events about detective novels, organized by The Black Anchors. During the summer, Z'Estivales includes street art shows, and the MoZaïques festival, which features world music, is held at the fort of Sainte-Adresse in August since 2010. In mid-August, a Flower parade moves through the central streets of the city.

In the first weekend of September, the Festival of the Sea celebrates the ocean with a race between Le Havre and Bahia, Brazil. In November, a fair is held at the Docks Café. The Autumn Festival in Normandy, organized by the departments of Seine-Maritime and Eure and the Region of Normandy, runs from September to November. It includes concerts, theater, and dance performances across the region. In late October, since 2009, a rock music festival has taken place at the fort of Tourneville. The West Park Festival, which started in 2004, is held in the park of the town hall of Harfleur.

Since June 2006, a Biennale of contemporary Art has been organized by the group Partouche.

Many buildings in Le Havre are classified as "historical monuments." The city was given the label "City of Art and History" in 2001 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The oldest building still standing is the Graville Abbey. Another medieval building is the Chapel of Saint-Michel of Ingouville. Because of bombing in 1944, few modern-era buildings remain. Examples include the Le Havre Cathedral, the Church of Saint Francis, the Museum of the Hotel Dubocage of Bleville, the House of the ship-owner, and the old palace of justice (now the Natural History Museum), which are located in the Notre-Dame and Saint-François areas.

Buildings from the 19th century show the city’s maritime and military history, such as the Hanging Gardens, the Fort of Tourneville, Vauban docks, and the Maritime Villa. The architecture from the 1950s and 1960s, designed by Auguste Perret’s workshop, includes the Church of Saint Francis and the Town Hall. The curved design of the "Volcano," created by Oscar Niemeyer, contrasts with the rebuilt city center. The reconstruction of many districts highlights 21st-century architecture. Notable buildings include the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (designed by René and Phine Weeke Dottelond) and Les Bains Des Docks (designed by Jean Nouvel).

• Le Havre Cathedral: Construction began in 1536. It is the seat of the Bishop of Le Havre.
• Church of Saint Joseph: One of the city’s most famous landmarks. Its belltower is one of the tallest in France, standing 107 meters high. It was designed by Auguste Perret.
• Church of Saint Michel
• Church of Saint Vincent
• Church of Saint François
• Church of St. Anne
• Church of Saint Marie
• Chapel of Saint Michel d'Ingouville (15th century)
• Graville Abbey: A monastery dedicated to Sainte Honorine, located on the northern bank of the Seine River.
• Presbyterian Reform Church (Église Réformée): Built in 1857, it was damaged in 1941. The roof and ceiling were rebuilt in 1953 by architects from Auguste Perret’s office.

Five museums in Le Havre are recognized as Musées de France, a label for high-quality museums. These include:

The Museum Malraux, built in 1955 and opened in 1961 by André Malraux, displays art from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century. It has one of France’s largest impressionist painting collections, second only to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. It houses works by artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Raoul Dufy, and Edgar Degas.

A museum dedicated to Le Havre’s history includes objects from the Ancien Régime and the 19th century, such as furniture, maps, statues, and paintings.

The Museum of Natural History, founded in 1881, was damaged during World War II. It is located in the former law courts, built in the 18th century. The museum includes departments of mineralogy, zoology, ornithology, palaeontology, and prehistory, along with 8,000 paintings from the collection of Charles-Alexandre Lesueur. It was destroyed during Allied bombings in 1944, and many of its collections were lost.

The Museum of Old Havre, from the 18th century, focuses on Le Havre’s history and includes relics from the Ancien Régime, furniture, maps, statues, and paintings.

The Museum at the Priory of Graville displays religious art, including statues and religious objects, many of which are protected by the Ministry of Culture. It also houses the Gosselin collection of 206 model houses created by Jules Gosselin in the 19th century.

Other museums reflect Le Havre’s history and maritime connections. The Apartment-Temoine, a standard apartment from the 1950s, shows daily life in that era. The maritime museum displays items related to the sea and port. The city also hosts exhibitions at places like SPOT, a contemporary art center, art galleries, and Le Portique, a contemporary art space opened in 2008. The municipal library of Le Havre regularly hosts exhibitions.

Other attractions include:
• The former tribunal (18th century)
• The Town Hall: A modern belfry now used for offices
• The "Volcan" cultural center, designed by Oscar Niemeyer
• Square St. Roch
• Japanese Garden

Le Havre has two

Education

Le Havre is located in the Academy of Rouen. The city has 55 kindergartens (254 classes) and 49 communal primary schools (402 classes). The department manages 16 colleges, and the Normandy region manages 9 schools. The Jules Valles college in Caucriauville is classified as a sensitive institution, and eleven colleges are in a priority education zone (ZEP). A special boarding school, the Claude Bernard college, opened in 2011. The first college in Le Havre dates to the 16th century. The high school François I was founded during the Second Empire and is the oldest in Le Havre. The philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) and Raymond Aron (1905–1983) taught there. The writer Armand Salacrou (1899–1899) studied in this institution.

• Collège du Sacré Cœur
• Collège Saint-Joseph
• Collège Les Ormeaux
• Collège Montesquieu

• Lycée Claude Monet
• Lycée général et technologique Porte-Océane
• Lycée François I
• Lycée général et technologique Robert Schuman
• Lycée Jules Siegfried

• Lycée Saint-Joseph

• Lycée technique et professionnel Françoise de Grâce
• Lycée professionnel Jules Lecesne (Hotel trades and services)
• Lycée professionnel Jules Siegfried (Electronic and Mechanical trades)
• Lycée professionnel Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier (Transport and Logistics – Metallic structures – automobiles)
• Lycée professionnel Auguste Perret (Housing trades)
• Lycée professionnel Claude Monet (Accounting – Secretarial)
• Lycée professionnel Porte Océane (Accounting – Secretarial)
• Lycée professionnel Robert Schuman (Industry)

• Lycée professionnel Germaine Coty
• Lycée professionnel Saint Vincent de Paul
• Lycée professionnel Jeanne d'Arc

In 2011, there were about 12,000 students in all subjects in Le Havre. The University of Le Havre opened in 1986 and is a recent, medium-sized institution located near the city center, close to train and tram stations. The campus includes a library (opened in 2006), a gym, dining halls, student housing, a building with a theater, an orientation service, and student groups. In 2010–2011, 6,914 students were enrolled, including 5,071 undergraduates, 1,651 Masters students, and 192 postgraduate students. The university also trains 317 engineering students, including those at the Logistical Studies Higher Education Institute (ISEL). It offers 120 state-approved diplomas from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of International Affairs, and Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Many courses focus on port operations, logistics, industry, and sustainable development. Twelve languages are taught, and 17% of students are from other countries. The university is also a research center with nine laboratories. It partners with other institutions (INSA Rouen, IEP, IUFM, and Normandy University). The University Institutes of Technology of Le Havre have two main locations: one in the Caucriauville-Rouelles district (opened in 1967) and another in the Eure district (opened in 2011). The IUT has 1,881 students across ten departments preparing for the DUT. There is also a branch of the teacher training institute of Rouen (IUFM) for two courses (CAPET of technology and CRPE school teacher).

In addition, there are many specialized higher education institutions covering various fields. Founded in 1871, the École Supérieure de Commerce du Havre, one of the oldest in France, merged with Sup Europe and l'IPER to form the Normandy Business School in 2006. This school had over 2,800 students across five campuses (Le Havre, Caen, Deauville, Oxford, and Paris) in 2015. Since 2007, the Institute of Political Studies of Paris has offered a Euro-Asia program in Le Havre. The National School of the Merchant Marine trains officers for the Merchant Marine and will move to the Bassin Vauban in 2015. The National Higher School of Petrol and Motors (ENSPM) trains petroleum engineers, petrochemists, and engine makers. The ITIP (National Institute for International Transportation and Ports) prepares students for careers in transport and port work. The National Institute of Applied Sciences of Rouen (INSA) opened a branch in Le Havre in 2008 with a civil engineering and sustainable construction department. The SPI (Axis of Science for the Engineer) is expected to reopen in 2012 in a new building in the Eure district.

In the arts, the Conservatory of Departmental Radiance Arthur Honegger has 1,680 students (music, dance, and drama). The Graduate School of Art of Le Havre (ESAH) offers degrees and prepares students for competitions. Approximately 800 people study in paramedical and social schools, mostly at the IFSI (Institute of Training in Nursing), which has about 600 students.

Sports

The city of Le Havre is home to some of the oldest sports clubs in France. These include the Le Havre Rowing Society (founded in 1838), the Regatta Society of Le Havre (founded in 1838), and the Le Havre Athletic Club (founded in 1872), which is one of the most important football and rugby clubs in France.

Le Havre also hosted sailing events for the 1900 and 1924 Summer Olympics.

The city is known for three major professional sports teams. The first is the Le Havre AC football team, which was moved down a level in 2009 but returned to the top league in 2023. Its training center has produced many French international players, such as Vikash Dhorasoo, Julien Faubert, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Lassana Diarra, and Steve Mandanda. The second is Saint Thomas Basketball, which plays in the LNB Pro A league. The third is the HAC women’s team, which plays in the top division and has many international players. This team won the Coupe de France for women’s handball in 2006. The Le Havre Rugby Athletic Club plays in Fédérale 3, which is the fifth division in France. The Hockey Club of Le Havre played in the national fourth division during the 2008–2009 season and is nicknamed the "Dock's du Havre."

Le Havre has a long tradition of water sports. On July 29, 1840, the first French pleasure boat regatta was held. Today, the city is known as a water sports and seaside resort. Its marina can host large ships at any time and in any weather. Built during the Interwar period, it is now the largest in Seine-Maritime with about 1,300 moorings. Additional moorings were added in the Vauban basin between 2011 and 2012. The Havraise Rowing Society has trained many successful rowers, including Thierry Renault. The Club Nautique Le Havrais (CNH) focuses on swimming, synchronized swimming, and men’s water polo. The Centre Nautique Paul Vatine is the fifth-largest club in France for the number of sports licenses it holds and ranks second in the Division 1 of the Championship France for Catamaran Clubs.

Many famous athletes began their careers in Le Havre. Hugues Duboscq, an Olympic medalist, was a swimmer from the city. In judo, two members of the French team are from Le Havre: Dimitri Dragin and Baptiste Leroy. Jerome Le Banner, a world-level kickboxer, also comes from Le Havre and competes in the K-1 championship. Paul Vatine, a navigator who disappeared at sea in 1999, won the Transat Jacques Vabre race multiple times.

Le Havre has 99 sports facilities, including 46 gymnasiums, 23 sports fields, and 5 swimming pools. The Stade Océane, opened in July 2012, replaced the older Stade Jules Deschaseaux. With 25,000 seats, it hosts football matches and other events. Basketball and handball games are played at the Dock Océane hall (3,600 seats), while ice hockey is played at the ice rink (900 seats). Two of the city’s five swimming pools are operated by the local government: the CNH, which has an Olympic-sized pool for competitions, and Les Bains Des Docks, designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Le Havre has the largest free outdoor skatepark in France, covering about 7,000 square meters. The port supports activities like sailing, fishing, canoeing, and rowing. The beach is popular for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing.

Le Havre has hosted many major sports events. The Tour de France has passed through the city multiple times, with the last stage in 2015. Sailing events are regularly held, and the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race has taken place every two years since 1993, connecting Le Havre to Latin America. The Solitaire du Figaro sailing race included part of its course in Le Havre in 2010. Since 2006, weekends of freestyle board sports, such as skateboarding, rollerblading, and kiteboarding, have been popular. Rollerblade events are held every two weeks during the summer. The first International Triathlon took place in 2012. Runners can participate in the 10-kilometer race in Le Havre or the Montgeon Strides.

Media

Five newspapers cover the Le Havre area: the daily newspapers Le Havre libre, Le Havre Presse, Paris Normandie (in its Le Havre edition, produced with Le Havre Presse), and Liberté-Dimanche (a Sunday edition for the local community) are part of the Hersant group, which is currently facing money problems and seeking a buyer. A free weekly newspaper called Le Havre Infos (published by the PubliHebdo group) has been released every Wednesday since 2010 and is available in many locations across the city.

Several magazines provide local information: LH Océanes (a magazine published by the local government) and Terres d'Agglo (a magazine for the area) are joined by free publications such as Aux Arts (focused on cultural events in the Basse-Normandie region), Bazart (covering cultural events in Le Havre and across Normandy), and HAC Magazine (focusing on news about HAC). Additional newspapers are available online, including Infocéane and Le Havre on the Internet.

A local television program, France 3 Baie de Seine, is broadcast every evening and repeated on France 3 Haute Normandie. Other radio stations include Radio Albatros (based in Sanvic du Havre, broadcasting on FM 88.2), Radio Vallée de la Lézarde (based in Épouville), RESONANCE (on FM 98.9), and RCF Le Havre. The journalist and television host Laurent Ruquier, born in Le Havre in 1963, began his career at local radio stations in the city. Additional radio coverage includes local news on France Bleu Haute Normandie, a local relay on Virgin Radio Normandie (FM 101.8) from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and local news on NRJ Le Havre (FM 92.5) from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Local groups such as LHnouslanuit and Only-Hit have created alternative radio stations that highlight cultural and community activities.

At the request of Monsigneur André Mulch, Archbishop of Rouen, Pope Paul VI established the diocese of Le Havre on July 6, 1974, through the papal bull Quae Sacrosanctum ("Port of Grace" in Latin). The diocese was formed from parts of the Archdiocese of Rouen west of a line connecting Norville to Sassetot-le-Mauconduit. Monsigneur Michel Saudreau became the first bishop of the diocese on September 22, 1974. The church of Notre Dame was designated as the Cathedral Notre Dame du Havre. Today, the city of Le Havre is divided into eight parishes and 24 places of worship, including churches and chapels. The oldest chapel is Saint-Michel d'Ingouville, dating to the 11th century. The Church of Saint Joseph du Havre, designed by Auguste Perret, is a prominent landmark with a 107-meter-high spire. Other religious sites include monastic communities such as the Carmel of the Transfiguration, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Protestant Church of Le Havre, built in the city center in 1862, was damaged during a bombing in 1941, losing its pediment, bell tower, and roof. It was rebuilt in 1953 by architects Jacques Lamy and Gérard Dupasquier, who worked in the office of Auguste Perret. This building is unique because it combines 19th-century architecture with the style of the Perret school. The city also has seven evangelical Protestant churches: Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, Apostolic Church, Assembly of God, Baptist Church, Good News Church, and the Church of Le Havre, as well as several Protestant churches from African communities.

Le Havre has seven Muslim places of worship, including the En-Nour Mosque on Rue Paul Claudel, El Fath Mosque on Rue Victor Hugo, and Bellevue Mosque on Rue Gustavus Brindeau. Three additional prayer rooms are located on Rue Audran, Boulevard Jules Durant, and Rue Lodi. The synagogue, located in the rebuilt central area of the city, was visited by President Jacques Chirac in April 2002. It is the home of the consistoriale israélite du Havre association, led by President Victor Elgressy.

Notable people

Le Havre was the birthplace of:

• Georges de Scudéry (1601–1667), writer, playwright, and poet.
• Madeleine de Scudéry (1607–1701), writer.
• Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (1737–1814), writer and botanist.
• Charles Alexandre Lesueur (1778–1846), naturalist, artist, and explorer.
• Ivan Đaja (1884–1957), biologist, physiologist, author, and philosopher.
• Casimir Delavigne (1793–1843), poet and playwright.
• Jacques-François Ancelot (1794–1854), playwright and writer.
• Frédérick Lemaître (1800–1876), actor and playwright.
• Eleanor Mary Dennistoun Sellar (1829–1918), Scottish memoirist.
• Léon Gautier (1832–1897), literary historian.
• Gabriel Monod (1844–1912), historian.
• Alfred-Louis Brunet-Debaines (1845–c. 1935), artist.
• Juliette Heuzey (1865–1952), writer.
• Louis Bachelier (1870–1946), mathematician.
• Raoul Dufy (1877–1953), painter.
• André Caplet (1878–1925), composer and conductor.
• René Coty (1882–1962), French president (1954–1959).
• Suzanne Balguerie (1888–1973), French soprano.
• Arthur Honegger (1892–1955), composer and member of Les Six.
• Thomas Roberts (1893–1976), Roman Catholic archbishop.

• Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985), artist.
• Jean Mallon (1904–1982), palaeographer.
• Raymond Queneau (1903–1976), poet and novelist.
• Jacques Leguerney (1906–1997), composer.
• Bénédicte Pesle (1927–2018), arts patron.
• Jacqueline Danno (1931–2021), actress and singer.
• Tristan Murail (born 1947), composer.
• Elvire Murail (born 1958), children’s book writer.
• Laurent Ruquier (born 1963), journalist.
• govy (1981–2023), artist.

• Paul Frère (1917–2008), Belgian racing driver.
• Wilfried Nancy (born 1977), football manager.
• Jérôme Le Banner (born 1972), kickboxer and K-1 fighter.
• Vikash Dhorasoo (born 1973), international footballer.
• Olivier Davidas (born 1981), footballer.
• Dimitri Dragin (born 1984), judoka.
• Julien Faubert (born 1983), footballer.
• Kevin Anin (born 1986), footballer.
• Gueïda Fofana (born 1991), footballer.
• Jaylen Hoard (born 1999), French-American basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
• Dan Delaunay (born 1995), professional footballer.

• Rex Cherryman (1896–1928), American actor who died in Le Havre.
• Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980), philosopher who taught at the Lycée François-Ier.
• Patrick Demarchelier (1943–2022), fashion photographer who spent his childhood in Le Havre.
• Christine Lagarde (born 1956), IMF managing director who grew up in Le Havre.
• René Viénet (born 1944), sinologist.
• Suzzane Fontaine (1894–1979), paternal grandmother of Pope Leo XIV.