Le Havre, the start city for 30 years

Le Havre, home port of the Coffee Route

The largest city in Normandy, Le Havre or "LH", for short, is located only 2 hours from Paris. Strong perspectives, modernist decor, dimensions which are both human and aesthetic, Le Havre is a city of water and light which stimulates a strong artistic imagination.

Founded by François I and magnified by Claude Monet, Le Havre is more than ever an inspiring area. After the horrors of the Second World War, the city recovered and rebuilt itself. This represents a renaissance which has earned the city center a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

For 30 years, Le Havre has been the host city of the longest transatlantic race which now associates its name with it: the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre.

By bus, scooter or bike, focus on soft mobility

With a view to sustainably reducing its carbon footprint, the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie le Havre, in close collaboration with the city of Le Havre and the Normandy region, wants to encourage the public to use public transport and other more sustainable modes of  transport to come to the village. To do this, it has established partnerships with several transport companies (SNCF, Nomad, Transdev and Lime). An initiative for the planet which will be rewarded by the award of a green ticket to visitors who play the game (see box).
 

A 360° commitment

Concerned about its environmental and societal impact, the Transat Jacques Vabre association has established a 360° action plan for this 2023 edition:

- increased soft mobility thanks to the green ticket

- reinforced infrastructure for people with reduced mobility

- welcoming schoolchildren to the village and publishing an educational kit

- optimization and revaluation of waste

In the village, the le pavillon des initiatives positives will be a space for expression and activities which will promote the environmental and social themes promoted by the teams and their associations, the race partners and local associations, in Le Havre and in Martinique.

It will be the meeting place for skippers' conferences, experts round tables, film screenings, activities... All centered around the defense of our oceans and biodiversity, the 2023 cause supported by the Transat Jacques Vabre.

The Transat Jacques Vabre pavilion

This year, the official pavilion displayed a decor dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Coffee Route. Large visuals will help celebrate this anniversary but also look back on 30 years of transformation in the host city. The city of Le Havre, the Normandy region, the Martinique Tourism Committee as well as the Jacques Vabre brand will be represented there. Located just opposite the Paul Vatine basin, it will allow you to admire the boats during the ten days of opening.