Le Havre Attractions

Le Havre, France's largest port after Marseilles, situated on the estuary of the Seine, here 9km/6mi wide, suffered heavy destruction during the Second World War and had to be almost completely rebuilt. The modern aspect of the city is due primarily to the architect Auguste Perret. The Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840- 1926) lived and worked in Le Havre, and the writer Raymond Queneau (1903-1976), author of "Zazie dans le Métro" and "Pierrot mon Ami", was born here.

The town was founded in 1517 and, on the orders of Francis I, was provided with a harbor which was ready to receive the first warship in the following year. Later Le Havre developed into an important commercial port, mainly involved in the North American traffic.

After the American War of Independence Le Havre became the main center for the import of colonial products like coffee, tobacco, cotton, sugar and exotic woods.

The rebuilt city center offers interesting examples of modern architecture, like the spacious Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville with its functional tower blocks. From here the wide Avenue Foch runs west to the Porte Océane.

Another interesting feature is the 160 m/175yd long escalator from Rue Aristide-Briand to the upper town (which can also be reached from the Cours de la République through the Jenner Tunnel).

In Place Gambetta, built partly underground, is the Oskar Niemeyer Cultural Center, which bears the name of its architect.