The Road to Diamond, Day 324: Part I- Le Havre’s New Legacy

October 17, 2025, Portsmouth, England- The earnest young man, a maintenance worker for the City of Dieppe, told me that the route to the ferry terminal was “not long” and was “visible straightaway from around the corner to the left.” I followed his directions, met a couple who were out walking on a delightful Friday afternoon and got more complete directions. Twenty-five minutes later, I walked into the Ferry Terminal.

Taking on the road involves just this sort of time allowance, and patience with people whose own understanding of routes and systems is not as complete as they fancy it to be. It also involves workarounds for spotty WiFi and being a quicker study for technological innovations than has ever been the case. That alone, to me, is a cure for dementia. (Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I just know how it feels to be adapting to a savvier world.)

The day started with a fine breakfast at JOST Hostel. Before checking out, I did a walkabout to Le Havre’s waterfront and back. Here are some scenes:

Le Havre Palais de Justice
Le Havre City Hall
Monument to Resistance Fighters of World War II
Seine River, approaching the English Channel (La Manche)
Monument aux Morts, Le Havre
Alta Tower, with fluid geometry; created by Auguste Perret
Twin Rainbow Arches, Le Havre Port. This was in celebration of Le Havre’s 500th anniversary and was also designed by Auguste Perret. It is made of 36 shipping containers, welded together.
Sea gate, with approaching ferry ship.
“The Signal”, by Henri-Georges Adam, at Malraux Museum of Modern Art
Auguste Perret’s Show Apartment
Notre Dame de Le Havre (Cathedral)
Interior of Notre Dame de Le Havre
Pipe Organ, Notre Dame de Le Havre
Stained glass, at Le Havre Central Train Station

With my walkabout complete, I headed on the train bound for Rouen, then transferred to another train to Dieppe.

2 thoughts on “The Road to Diamond, Day 324: Part I- Le Havre’s New Legacy

  1. Some 70 years ago, we landed inLe Havre and took a train to Paris,. When we arrived in Paris, we moved ino a taxi to take us across he Seine Rive to out hotel — as we crossed the river, the full moon was sitting between the towers of the Cathedral de Notre Dame — what a great way to be introduced to Paris!

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