Guides › France › Le Havre
City guide

Le Havre

Le Havre is a major port city in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the river Seine on the English Channel southwest of the Pays de Caux, very close to the Prime Meridian.

Type City

Why go

  • City in Normandy, France.
  • Served by Le Havre-Octeville Airport (LEH).

History

Le Havre is a major port city in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the river Seine on the English Channel southwest of the Pays de Caux, very close to the Prime Meridian. Le Havre is the busiest port on the northern French Coast and largest container port in France. it is the second largest city in the Normandy region of France with total population of the greater Le Havre conurbation being smaller than that of Rouen. It is also the second largest subprefecture in France, after only Reims. The name Le Havre means 'the harbour' or 'the port'. Its inhabitants are known as Havrais (masculine) or Havraises (feminine).

Airports

Deauville Normandie airport (DOL) 16 km to the centre
Deauville, NOR, FR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Air France, CityJet) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. London (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 1 direct destination
  • Air France AF (F50) · 1 route: London*
  • CityJet WX (F50) · 1 route: London

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Le Havre-Octeville Airport (LEH) 5.3 km to the centre
Le Havre, NOR, FR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Twin Jet) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Lyon (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
  • Twin Jet T7 (BEH) · 1 route: Lyon

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Havre-Saint-Romain-de-Colbosc Airfield 16 km to the centre
Gommerville, NOR, FR
Outdoor
Berville sur Mer Airfield 17 km to the centre
NOR, FR
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Terminal de la Citadelle
Ferry terminal · 3.7 km from the centre · Brittany ferries
Outdoor
Terminal de Grande-Bretagne
Ferry terminal · 3.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Cruise Terminal
Ferry terminal · 4.3 km from the centre
Outdoor
Visite du Port
Ferry terminal · 4.5 km from the centre
Outdoor
Le Bac de Trouville
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre
Outdoor
Portsmouth (UK) - Le Havre (F)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Portsmouth - Le Havre
Ferry route · LD Lines
Outdoor
Rosslare (IRL) - Le Havre (F)
Ferry route · Brittany Ferries
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Le Havre-Octeville Airport (LEH); 2 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: LEH has direct flights to 1 destination on 1 airline (incl. Lyon). By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Terminal de la Citadelle, 3.7 km); routes include Portsmouth (UK) - Le Havre (F), Portsmouth - Le Havre, Rosslare (IRL) - Le Havre (F).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Le Havre. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing