The restructuring project of the Youri Gagarine sports complex represents a major axis of the Le Havre metropolitan area’s investment policy, notably supported by the Le Havre en Forme program launched in 2016. Begun in 2019, these works have transformed the 10-hectare site into a center of excellence for ball sports.
The complex is organized into two main zones: to the west, the football (soccer) hub, featuring natural and synthetic fields, a 700-seat stand, and the Katherine Johnson clubhouse; to the east, the rugby hub, with four fields, a 550-seat stand, and the Edmée Chandon clubhouse.
The development also stands out for its strong landscape and environmental dimension:
- Nearly 300 trees (elms, lindens, oaks, maples, etc.) and more than 2,600 shrubs have been planted to recreate a wooded park that supports biodiversity and enhances the site’s ecological quality.
- Ecological stormwater management, through swales and basins planted with perennials and grasses, strengthens the site’s ecological resilience.
- The stands are eco-responsible, featuring low-carbon materials, a wood-fired boiler, and optimized energy performance.
The project prioritizes inclusion and accessibility, featuring adapted pathways, secure lanes, connections to soft mobility, and 180 parking spaces. Architecturally, it emphasizes clarity, orientation, and integration with the landscape, with fields aligned north-south along the east-west axis.
