Le Havre from Rouen

Bombed in September 1944, the centre of Le Havre was rebuilt between 1944 and 1964 by Auguste Perret and his team. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List on 15 July 2005. Wide avenues, crafted concrete, vistas towards the sea: the city reads like an architect's plan.

To understand the project, start with the Perret show flat. Furniture, fabrics, lamps and everyday objects take you back to a 1950s home. Then head to the Saint-Joseph church, with its 107 m tower and its 12,768 pieces of coloured glass.

The MuMa, facing the harbour piers, shows a large Impressionist collection. The beach is 800 m from the centre, at the end of the tram line. The architecture carries on after Perret, with Oscar Niemeyer's Volcan and Jean Nouvel's Bains des Docks.

Perret show flat

A 1950s home furnished to Perret's plans, on a 50 min guided tour, booking compulsory. €7 (reduced €5), free for under-26s and for everyone on the 1st Saturday of the month.

“Le Havre, World Heritage” tour

A 2 h guided tour combining the show flat and the Saint-Joseph church. €7 (reduced €5).

Saint-Joseph church

The flagship monument of the rebuilding, with its 107 m lantern tower pierced with stained glass on all eight sides. Free entry.

MuMa, André Malraux Modern Art Museum

On the waterfront, an Impressionist and Fauvist collection in a building opened by André Malraux. €10 (reduced €6) during the “André Malraux and modern art” exhibition, free for under-26s and for everyone on the 1st Saturday of the month.

Viewpoint on the 17th floor of the Hôtel de Ville

A 360° view over the rebuilt city, open only on scheduled guided tours on certain dates.

The beach

800 m from the centre, at the end of the tram line, lively from spring to autumn. Free access.

Le Havre on the map

Tap a point to see its name. Base map © OpenStreetMap, Protomaps.

Getting there from Rouen

By train

Direct Nomad train from Rouen to Le Havre: 45 min on the fastest service, 23 trains a day, first departure around 6:07 and last around 23:05.

Train tip

The Pass Normandie Découverte covers 2 people for unlimited travel over 2 days by Nomad train or coach in Normandy: €20 at the weekend, €35 for 2 consecutive weekdays. Under-26s get 50% off their tickets.

Then once there

The centre is easy on foot. To go further (to the beach, for example), take the LiA tram or bus: €1.80 for a 1-hour ticket, €4.50 for a 24-hour ticket.

Prices and opening hours

Prices

The city is free to explore. Show flat: €7 (reduced €5). Saint-Joseph church: free. MuMa: €10 (reduced €6) during the “André Malraux and modern art” exhibition. Free for under-26s, and for everyone on the 1st Saturday of the month, in the City's museums.

Opening hours

The city is open all year round. Saint-Joseph church: every day 10:00 to 18:00, except during services. MuMa: Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday until 19:00, closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May, 11 November and 25 December. Show flat: time slots between 10:00 and 16:30 according to the calendar, more of them at weekends and during the school holidays.

Prices and times can change: check the official website before you go.

Top tips

• Book the show flat online before you go: booking is compulsory and you meet 15 min before, at the Maison du patrimoine, 181 rue de Paris.
• The flat is on the 1st floor with no lift (around forty steps) and the visit isn't suitable for under-7s.
• Aim for the 1st Saturday of the month: the MuMa and the show flat are free for everyone that day.
• Avoid Mondays if you want to see the MuMa: it's closed.

Flying into Beauvais airport?

The Busmandy shuttle, official partner of Beauvais airport, takes you to Rouen by direct coach, in 1 h 40, from €23.90. You arrive at the Busmandy stop, halte de Champlain (see on Google Maps), about 10 min walk from the centre: base yourself in Rouen and visit Le Havre as a day trip.

Frequently asked questions