Le Havre, city in northwestern France, in Seine-Maritime Department, on the English Channel, at the mouth of the Seine River, in Normandy (Normandie). The city is a major seaport of France; its harbor has extensive facilities for transatlantic and transchannel shipping. It also is a commercial and manufacturing center; products include ships, machinery, textiles, and processed food. Although badly damaged in World War II (1939-1945), Le Havre retains several old buildings, some restored since the war. Points of interest in the city include the Church of Notre Dame (16th-17th century), and the modern church of Saint Joseph, as well as the André Malraux Museum of Fine Arts.
Long a small fishing village, Le Havre was developed into a port in 1517 by Francis I of France. In 1562, during the religious strife in France, the Protestant Huguenots turned the town over to the control of the English, who were driven out the following year. Modernization of the port was begun (17th century) by Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister of Louis XIII, and later was substantially advanced by Napoleon. In World War I (1914 -1918) the American and British expeditionary forces used Le Havre as a disembarkation and supply base. From 1940 to 1944, during World War II, the city was occupied by German troops. Population (1999) 190,905.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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