By all accounts the old port of Le Havre was an attractive town, albeit without any outstanding individual buildings. Of that, none now remains, the town having been almost totally destroyed during WWII. Rebuilding, as in most of northern France, has been functional rather than distinguished, but nevertheless it’s a lively place with spacious tree-lined streets, rather Latin American in feel, with presidential style squares and obscure statues, while to seaward there is an attractive waterfront. For the yachtsman it has the timeless allure of deep water access and plenty of space for visitors.

Approaching from the north you pass the huge commercial port at Cap d’Antifer about halfway between Fécamp and Le Havre (watch for traffic entering or leaving) and when close to Le Havre you will see the shipping lane marked by buoys. Follow it in just outside the port hand buoys and once inside the breakwater turn to port for the two large marinas. For access from the Seine or Deauville / Trouville to the south, the safe option is to move out to deeper water before heading north to meet the entry channel into Le Havre (study your chart).

Once inside, visitors may berth on the outside of the outermost pontoon in the Anse de Joinville which is reached first, or alongside the dividing breakwater in the Anse de Régates. Both basins share the same management and capitainerie which is on the dividing breakwater. If there’s no space, find a vacant berth and report.

All facilities are available but shops that you might actually need, like a boulangerie, are some distance inland from the waterfront (for the nearest turn left along Boulevard Clemenceau and then left up Rue de la Mailleraye). One of the best restaurants is La Petite Auberge (32 r. Ste-Adresse, T 02 35 46 27 32) though it’s a bit of a walk and not that easy to find, despite the assistance of various locals offering knowing endorsements and voluble encouragement. Jean-Luc Tartarin (73 av. Foch, T02 35 45 46 20) is also highly rated by Michelin.

© 2008 Yachtpilot