Monuments to visit Seine-Maritime

The foundation stone of the Normandy Bridge was laid in March 1988 and the structure was inaugurated on 22 January 1995. Its two pylons overlook the Seine at 204 m. Their foundations are supported by 28 piles for each pylon, these piles can measure 54 m. The access viaduct, on both banks, consists of concrete segments. The central deck consists of 96 and 116 m concrete decks and in the centre of a 624 m long metal deck with 32 segments. The central span of the bridge is therefore 856 m, the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world when it is commissioned. The guy wires consist of 184 cables. The mouth of the Seine being frequently hit by winds of 180 km/h, the Normandy bridge was built to withstand winds of 300 km/h. The visit is very easy to do without a guide, starting from the Engineers' Garden, at the foot of the bridge.

Overlooking its high stature and the oil port, Antifer's lighthouse is also the guardian of the city of Le Havre and that of the sea. He has been guiding the sailors since 1894. The current building, up to 37 meters above sea level, was built in 1949, replacing the first building destroyed by the German army in September 1944. Every twenty seconds, its light beam illuminates the horizon and warns the boats. The peaceful nature in the surrounding area remains impassive to the ballet of these marine monsters.

It was for a long time the castle of Harfleur, built in the 17th century by Pierre Coste, lord of Saint-Supplix, adviser to the parliament of Normandy. It passes from hand to hand and before being bought by the municipality. The industrialist Charles Schneider established one of his residences there. The building is special: completed in 1653, it is both Louis XIII style, with the use of ashlar and brick, and neo-classical style with its ringed and fluted columns on the main façade, topped by Corinthian capitals. They are not without reminding us of the columns of the main porch of the Saint-Martin d'Harfleur church and the Notre-Dame du Havre cathedral. The facade that now overlooks the gardens, however, uses the region's black flint, which is very popular in stately homes. It is surrounded by an English-style park, with a pond and free access.

The building comes from a distance! A victim of a major fire in February 2004, the castle was completely restored. The operation was worth it because this Renaissance book, erected in the sixteenth century by Baron Charles de Boissay, is actually a copy of a Loire Castle. Classified as a historic monument, it opens the map of the cards, the gallery of the deer and the noble chapel as well as the park and aviaries. Today the castle houses the college and horticultural and forestry college of Saint Joseph institution.