Le Havre ‘Runseeing’ Tour

Le Havre is France’s largest port city after Marseille. Largely destroyed in WWII, the city is a UNESCO site for its post-war urban architecture, with a master plan designed & built by the architect Auguste Perret. We’ve put together a terrific ‘runseeing’ tour of Le Havre, showcasing the seafront promenade, paths around the port, and a jaunt through the city center, passing by the Le Havre Cathedral & large Hôtel de Ville square.

Start at the Tourism office, and run for 1 km north along the Plage de Havre (pebble beach, not runnable). Retrace your steps. Then, continue south along the water, passing the Marina, Jusqu’au Bout du Monde statue, Museum of Modern Art, & other sites. There are nice views of the water.

• Two Piers Option: There are two, long runnable piers that are scenic add-ons: Digue Nord (1.4 km out & back) & Digue Augustin Normand (1 km out & back).

At the Esplanade Nelson Mandela (modern sculptures), LEFT turning inland on Rue de Paris, passing the impressive, Perret-restored Le Havre Cathedral (worth a visit!). Do a loop around the Bassin de Comnmerce, and then continue for a loop around the large Hôtel de Ville square. Then, take Ave. Foch back toward the water, with a detour into Square St.-Roch — a nice green space.

Shorter Option: The lighthouse/seafront promenade is ~7 km out and back.

Longer Option: Two piers and additional paths around the port.