Founded in 1517 by King Francois the 1st who wanted a port that could trade with certain other countries. Hailed today as the cradle of Impressionism, Le Havre was the port used by emigrants going to the United States. A capital for ocean going liners, it was largely rebuilt after the Second World War. France's second port and 21st city, it looks unattractive at first site. Anyone just passing through, skirts the old industrial areas and factories. In the centre and more northern suburbs though, there are attractive areas. It has a population of just over 190,000 inhabitants.
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