Bassin du commerce, Body of water in Le Havre, France
Bassin du Commerce is a rectangular water basin in Le Havre connected to the Seine River through a lock system, featuring long quays along its sides. The enclosed waterway is surrounded by port infrastructure and provides access points along the shoreline for different uses.
The basin was built during the 19th century as part of Le Havre's port expansion to handle larger commercial vessels and increase maritime trade. The lock system was designed to manage water levels and connect safely to the Seine.
The basin has long served as a gathering place where sailors, traders, and locals share stories of the sea and maritime life. Today, it remains a hub where people connect with the water and the city's relationship to navigation and commerce.
The water here offers good conditions for diving and snorkeling with depths reaching about 13 feet (4 meters). Several diving centers nearby rent equipment and provide guided outings suitable for both beginners and experienced swimmers.
The basin functions as an enclosed saltwater system with its own marine ecosystem, acting like a miniature natural environment within the port. Divers and snorkelers can observe local fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants that would be unusual to see in such shallow depths.
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