As the largest city in Normandy, Le Havre’s extraordinary architecture, harbour atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle make it an irresistible place to visit. With a vibrant economy and a rich cultural heritage, it was ranked among the top 20 cities to live in in France in 2023.
City living and quality of life
Top 5 reasons to move to Le Havre
01
Big, but not too big
With a population of 165,000, Le Havre is the largest city in Normandy but doesn’t feel like a huge metropolis
02
A feast for the eyes
A listed city centre, facilities designed by the greatest architects, works of contemporary art: living in Le Havre is like living in a work of art.
03
Next stop: the beach!
Here, bus route A takes you straight to the sea. Just a 5-minute walk from the centre, you’ll find 2 km of beach, lively bars and cafés and all sorts of water sports.
04
Take the stress out of getting around
Le Havre is known for being one of the least congested cities in France. It also has 2 tram lines (with 2 more planned for 2027), buses, 160 km of cycle paths… and even a funicular railway!
05
Nature in the city centre
With 750 hectares of green areas and a host of parks and gardens (Parc de Montgeon, Parc de Rouelles, Japanese garden, hanging gardens), Le Havre can breathe easy – as will you!
Pack your bags without a second thought
Are you ready to leave your old life behind, for a new one in Le Havre?
The Seine Estuaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers people who have found a job in the region the F.A.R.E. programme (Family, Support, Network, Estuary), to benefit from tailor-made support.
What not to miss in Le Havre
And also…
Montgeon Forest
A wide, green expanse of 270 hectares, this forest park is home to lakes, an aviary, a tropical greenhouse and a botanical garden. It’s the perfect place to cool off in summer or go for a run in winter.
Espace Oscar Niemeyer
Named after its Brazilian architect, this square features an enormous fountain, the grand Volcan (a nationally-recognised theatre) and the petit Volcan. This “little volcano” houses a library which is considered to be one of the most original in France.
Working in Le Havre: a choice of jobs
Think that Le Havre might be the place for you? With a large pool of jobs in port and logistics operations, industry and services, the ocean city is sure to have the perfect job for you! In 2023, it recorded almost 9,000 recruitment proposals from local companies.
The top sectors and companies recruiting
The port and maritime industry
Le Havre is one of France’s largest ports, with 31,000 jobs and 1,200 establishments within its perimeter. It is home to some of the biggest names in shipping, including CMA-CGM, Maersk and Kuehne+Nagel, as well as port-related small businesses such as SOGET.
Logistics
The port is a hub for a large number of logistics and service companies, including several international groups (XPO Logistics, Daher international and GEODIS). The sector is currently experiencing a boom in recruitment (HGV drivers, forklift operators, logistics managers, etc.).
Manufacturing
Le Havre benefits from a strong manufacturing sector based around petrochemicals (Total and Exxon refineries, and fertiliser producers such as Yara). The automobile, mechanical engineering and aeronautics industries are also well established (Renault, Safran Nacelles, Air Liquide). Meanwhile, the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine factory has given marine renewables a boost.
Services
If you want to have large companies, you’re going to need client support! Some groups have chosen Le Havre as the location for their customer service centres (1,300 jobs in the area). They include EDF, Harmonie Mutuelle and even the state health service (Assurance Maladie). Whether you work in banking, insurance or telemarketing, there are opportunities for you in Le Havre!
Studying at Le Havre means choosing an innovative campus
Le Havre is a university town that attracts over 13,000 students every year. The Le Havre Normandie campus, located in the city centre, is home to a number of renowned institutions (University, Grandes Ecoles, Higher Institute for Logistics Studies) and offers more than 200 higher education courses.
Le Havre ranked 35th in the list of best towns to study in
Studying in Le Havre also means enjoying cultural offerings (Muma, Le Carré des Docks, etc.), sports and leisure facilities and a lively atmosphere worthy of the biggest major cities.
In terms of student accommodation, rents in the city are very reasonable (€11 per square metre on average). The Normandy CROUS has 8 halls of residence (550 student accommodation units). So it’s no wonder that in 2023, Le Havre was ranked 35th in the league table of the best cities to study in!
Academic establishments in Le Havre
What’s on in Le Havre
- Un été au Havre (summer in Le Havre)
Summer
Every summer, this contemporary art event hosts an open-air exhibition, with works to be discovered around the city. It’s a great opportunity to rediscover the city from another perspective. - The Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre transatlantic boat race
October
The Transat Jacques Vabre, the most famous of the two-handed transatlantic races, has been setting sail from Le Havre since its creation in 1993. Ten days of celebrations and events await the sailors as they get ready to set sail! - Le Goût des Autres
January
Debates, concerts, lectures, performances: the Goût des Autres literary festival brings together authors and artists around the city, focusing on a common theme. Over the past 10 years, the event has established itself as one of Europe’s leading literary events. - Ouest Park festival
October
With almost 15,000 attendees and some forty concerts, this festival has become an unmissable part of Le Havre’s cultural life. Its eclectic line-up is what sets it apart.
Useful information in Le Havre
Top stories in Le Havre
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