Le Havre

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Le Havre is a city in Normandy, northern France, on the English Channel, at the mouth of the Seine.

Population of the city (commune) at the 1999 census was 190,905 inhabitants (186,700 inhabitants as of February 2004 estimates). Population of the whole metropolitan area (aire urbaine) at the 1999 census was 296,773 inhabitants.

It was the port-of-call for French ocean liners making the Transatlantic crossing (cf Cruise ship). Le Havre is known as "La Porte Océane". It is the second largest city in Normandy after Rouen. It is the second largest export port in France.

Le Havre has been classified as a World Heritage Site since July 2005. The city has one university and a strong sporting heritage, with “Le HAC”, the oldest professional association football club in France.

1 Administration
2 Geography
3 History
4 Points of interest
5 Transportation
6 Miscellaneous
- 6.1 Twin towns
- 6.2 Births
7 External links

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Administration

Le Havre is a commune and a sous-préfecture of the Seine-Maritime département. The current mayor of Le Havre is Antoine Rufenacht.

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Geography

Le Havre is bordered by the towns of Montivilliers, Harfleur, Gonfreville-l'Orcher. The Seine River separates Le Havre from Honfleur. To the east lies the Pont de Normandie.

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History

The city was founded in 1517, when it was named Franciscopolis after Francis I of France, and subsequently named Le Havre-de-Grâce ("Heaven of Grace"; hence Havre de Grace, Maryland). Le Havre simply means the harbour or the port. Its construction was ordered to replace the ancient harbours of Honfleur and Harfleur whose utility had decreased due to silting. The history of the city is inextricably linked to its harbour. In the 18th century, as trade from the West Indies was added to that of France and Europe, Le Havre began to grow. During the 19th century, it became an industrial center.

The city was devastated during the Battle of Normandy: 5,000 people were killed and 12,000 homes were totally destroyed. The center was rebuilt in modernist style by Auguste Perret. It was designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.

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Points of interest

Le Havre was heavily bombed during the Second World War. Many historic buildings were lost as a result.

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Churches

Cathedral : the first stone of the building was laid in 1536. It is the seat of the Bishop of Le Havre.
Church of St. Joseph : it is one the most recognized symbols of the city. The belltower is one of the tallest in France, rising to a height of 106 metres. It was designed by Auguste Perret.
Church of St. Michel
Church of St. Vincent
Church of St. François
Church of St. Anne
Church of St. Marie
St. Michel d'Ingouville chapel (15th century)
Graville Abbey is a monastery dedicated to Sainte Honorine, set in grounds on the northern bank of the Seine River.

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Museums

Musée des Beaux-Arts André Malraux : this museum houses a collection of art spanning the past five centuries. There are paintings by Claude Monet and other artists who lived and worked in Normandy. Some of the paintings are from Eugène Delacroix, Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat, Raoul Dufy, Alfred Sisley. One of the museum's latest purchases is Vague, par temps d'orage by Gustave Courbet. The collection of Olivier Senn (1864-1959), given to the museum in 2004, contains more than 205 paintings.
Musée du Vieux Havre
Musée d'histoire natuelle (Museum of Natural History)

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Others

The Shipowner home (18th century)
The former tribunal (18th century)
Le Havre town Hall : the modern belfry contains offices
The "Volcan", cultural center built by Oscar Niemeyer
Square St. Roch
Japanese Garden
Villa Maritime

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Transportation

Le Havre has well developed national road, rail and air links (Octeville airport) and is two hours by train from Paris. Local transport is based primarily on an extensive bus network. The city has plans for a tram network. A ferry service to Portsmouth in the United Kingdom runs from the Terminal de la Citadelle. The service is operated by LD Lines.

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