According to many people, Le Havre is not synonymous with green, and yet it is one the greener cities in France.
The forest of Montgeon, the city's green lung covers more 270 hectares (667 acres) in the city centre. A place where everyone can relax and stroll, it provides fitness and hiking trails, lakes where you can hire small boats, a petting zoo …
As for the Parc de Rouelles, it attracts strollers on 160 hectares or so (395 acres). Between woods, meadows and ponds, the setting is idyllic. The Manoir de la Bouteillerie, a 17th century manor house and its dovecote represent the typical architecture of the Pays de Caux.
In the port, a green area is located not far from the new rehabilitated docklands. It is hardly visible yet it holds a beautiful Japanese garden covering 2,000 m² (21,528 ft²), a gift from the port of Osaka to the port of Le Havre for their twinning. After booking at the Tourist Information Centre, explore this gem, which will take you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
In the hills above the city, the Hanging Gardens also take you on a trip around the world... Located in a former military fort, these gardens take you on a journey across the five continents and cover about 10 hectares (24 acres). There is an exceptional view over the sea and the city.
You can also go for a pleasant walk around the Town Hall. The alleys planted with flowers, the lawns, the fountains and the flowerbeds combine to create a harmonious scenery. Not far from there, the Square Saint Roch is very romantic with all its flowers and species of trees covering 2 hectares (4 acres).
There are many other parks hidden throughout the city including the gardens of Graville Abbey, the beach gardens, the Jardin Fluvial (river garden) near the docklands, the Hauser Park and other green areas located in the upper part of the town.