Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre
Le Havre, France
Auguste Perret’s concrete church with a 107 m lantern tower lit by thousands of coloured glass panes. It is the centrepiece of the rebuilt city centre, listed by UNESCO in 2005.
The church of Saint-Joseph in Le Havre was built after bombs destroyed its neo-Gothic predecessor in 1944. Auguste Perret designed the new church; he died in 1954, before it was finished, and his associates completed it in 1957. The high altar was consecrated in 1964. The octagonal lantern tower is 107 m high (other sources give 106 m). Its light comes from 12,768 pieces of coloured glass designed by Marguerite Huré. The church commemorates the victims of the Allied bombing raids of September 1944 and serves as a landmark for sailors.
The interior is plain, with exposed concrete. Walk into the nave and look up; the light changes with the time of day. Le Havre's rebuilt city centre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 15 July 2005. Check opening times beforehand; you will need about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Nearest town
- Le Havre, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 49.4908, 0.1003
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping Du PhareCampsite12 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le HavreTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping du Chant des OiseauxCampsite13 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le HavreTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Aire Camping-Car Park La Rivière-Saint-SauveurMotorhome stopover15 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre · 20 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Aire Camping-cars Villers-sur-MerMotorhome stopover19 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre · 14 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Les BruyèresCampsite22 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le HavreTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping AbijuneCampsite23 km from Saint Joseph’s Church, Le HavreTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre?
Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre is in Le Havre, France, at GPS 49.4908, 0.1003. It is about 12 km from Honfleur.
Can you camp near Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire de camping-car du Havre, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre?
Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Alabaster Coast: Dieppe to Le Havre.
What is there to see near Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre?
Places worth a stop nearby: Pont de Normandie (14 km), Falaises d'Étretat (25 km), Holy Trinity abbey church, Fécamp (36 km) and Pegasus Bridge (39 km).
When is the best time to visit Saint Joseph’s Church, Le Havre?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)