In Le Havre, a player's turn consists of two parts: first, newly delivered goods are distributed among the offering spaces, and then an action is performed. As an action, players can choose to either take all goods of one type from an offering space, or use one of the available buildings. Building actions allow players to upgrade goods, sell them or use them to build their own buildings and ships. Buildings are both an investment opportunity and a source of income, as players must pay an entrance fee to use buildings they do not own. Ships, on the other hand, are mainly used to deliver the food needed to feed the workers.

After seven turns, the round ends: players' livestock and grain can multiply through a Harvest, and players must feed their workers. After a fixed number of rounds, each player may perform one final action, after which the game ends. Players add the value of their buildings and ships to their cash reserves. The player who has amassed the greatest fortune is the winner.