Dock Océane

The ground sits in the shadow of quays and cargo cranes, a box of steel and concrete wedged into the old port. What makes it different from any other hall in the city is that it is the only indoor arena in Le Havre; the sea comes to its doorstep and the wind cuts straight through the district. The roof is flat and low, the same dull grey as the pavement outside, while the terraces rise in simple concrete blocks.

It opened in 2000, when the docklands were still trying to find a new life after the ships stopped calling. STB Le Havre have played their basketball matches here ever since, and the women's handball team from HAC have also felt the pressure of the crowds. The capacity is 3,598, a number that gets rounded up to 3,600 when the announcers want to sound bigger.

The venue has hosted concerts, too. A lighting bridge collapsed during preparations for a Black M concert in November 2017, and the arena closed for over a month while inspectors checked the structure. That incident made headlines across France.

The name has never changed. It is Dock Océane, sometimes called Salle des Docks Océane, but the locals just say "les Docks." The building belongs to the city council, and the council pays for the repairs. There are no luxury boxes or VIP lounges — just concrete steps and metal railings.