Le Havre Marina

To your left stretches Le Havre’s vast marina, made up of the Anse de Joinville and the Anse des Régates. With space for 1,200 boats, it’s just steps from the city centre and the beach.

It’s also one of the few deep-water marinas in Europe, and its state-of-the-art facilities make it one of the most modern on the continent. It’s the perfect place to pause and take in a bit of history. Le Havre’s story has always been tied to its port, which recently celebrated its 500th anniversary.

It all began with King Francis I, who ordered a new port to be built at the mouth of the Seine to replace the aging harbour of Harfleur. By 1523, the new port was up and running, and it quickly grew into one of France’s largest commercial and military hubs. As maritime trade expanded, so did the port.

After the Second World War, it was fully modernised and earned the nickname “Industrial Venice” due to its network of basins linked by footbridges. Today, it’s the world’s leading port for wines and spirits, the top French container port for international trade, France’s second-largest port for crude oil imports, and the fifth-biggest port in Northern Europe.

Le Havre and its port are inseparable, the city’s global reputation owes everything to it. Beyond the stats, it’s simply a great place for a stroll by the water!