Place Perret

Place Perret

The Le Havre audio-guided tour leads you to Place Perret, which pays tribute to the architect who rebuilt the city after the war. Born in Belgium in 1874, Auguste Perret was one of the first great masters of reinforced concrete, a material that revolutionised construction techniques in the 20th century.

The master of reinforced concrete

With demanding craftsmanship, Auguste Perret made reinforced concrete, until then reserved for engineers, a true material of architecture. He incorporated nuances of colour and effects of texture, giving his buildings a sober elegance. In charge of the reconstruction of Le Havre after 1945, he designed a coherent and luminous city centre, which has become a manifesto of 20th-century urban planning.

What there is to see

Place Perret is part of the rebuilt centre, where the reinforced-concrete buildings, aligned in a regular grid, form a unique urban landscape. Nearby, the Perret show flat and the Heritage House allow you to discover the interior and the architectural thinking of the master. The square recalls the scale of the work that earned Le Havre its UNESCO listing.

Practical information

Place Perret can be seen freely, in the open air, in the rebuilt centre of Le Havre. It is accessible at any time. The Perret show flat and the Heritage House, nearby, have their own hours and prices; it is best to check with the tourist office before visiting.

Who was Auguste Perret ?

An architect born in 1874, a master of reinforced concrete, in charge of the reconstruction of Le Havre after the Second World War.

What to see around Place Perret ?

The reinforced-concrete buildings of the rebuilt centre, the Perret show flat and the Heritage House.