Montgeon Forest
About Montgeon Forest
Montgeon Forest is the largest green space in Le Havre, covering 270 hectares of beautiful urban woodland that serves as the city's 'green lung.' This rare urban forest features ancient beech, hornbeam, and oak trees, with archaeological remains dating back to prehistoric times including Neolithic artifacts and a Roman necropolis. The park offers diverse activities including a free animal park, children's playgrounds, a lake with rowboat rentals, an arboretum showcasing 115 conifer species, and LH Aventures tree climbing park. During World War II, the forest housed a German munitions depot and later became Camp Herbert Tareyton, an American transit camp, before serving as emergency housing for 6,000 families displaced by bombing. Visitors can explore 7.5 km of hiking trails, enjoy cycling paths, or simply relax in one of France's most remarkable urban forests. The forest has seasonal hours: 7 AM to 8 PM from April to October, and 8 AM to 6 PM from November to March.
Interesting Facts
The forest is home to the Lucanus cervus (stag beetle), Europe's largest beetle reaching up to 85mm in length. Males have impressive mandibles resembling deer antlers, and their larvae spend 5-8 years developing in decomposing oak stumps. This protected species is an indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem and is listed in the European Habitats Directive.
The American transit camp in the forest was named 'Camp Herbert Tareyton' after a cigarette brand - part of a deliberate US military strategy during WWII. All transit camps were given cigarette brand names (like Lucky Strike and Chesterfield) to confuse enemies and avoid revealing actual locations in communications.
After the Americans departed in 1946, the camp transformed into a complete temporary city housing 6,000 displaced families until 1964. This makeshift settlement had its own schools, a cinema called 'Le Kursaal,' an auxiliary town hall, the St Christophe de la Forêt church, shops, and dedicated bus lines - essentially a self-contained community within the forest.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Avenue Jacques Anquetil, 76610 Le Havre, France
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
