We continue our discovery of Normandy by taking you to visit Honfleur. This charming little port town has many assets that it is imperative to discover! Located between Le Havre and Deauville, Honfleur is an essential stopover during your stay in Normandy. In this article, we will answer these questions: what to do and what to visit in Honfleur?
Summary:- Presentation of Honfleur
- Visit Honfleur: what to do?
- What to do around Honfleur?
- Practical information for your visit
- My opinion on this visit
Presentation of Honfleur
Honfleur is now a charming town that welcomes several thousand visitors each year. Renowned for its perfectly preserved historic center or its Vieux Bassin in the heart of the enchanting city, visiting Honfleur means taking the time to enjoy this calm, this atmosphere and this magical place! Honfleur is for me an essential step if you visit Normandy.
But Honfleur was not always the quiet, touristy little town as we know it today. Here is a brief overview of the history of Honfleur over the centuries.
The beginnings
The oldest testimony to the city of Honfleur dates back to the XNUMXth century. It is the Duke of Normandy Richard III, who mentions the city in his writings.
Moreover, it turns out that Honfleur was an important port where transited goods in the direction of England.
Due to its strategic geographical location, Honfleur played an important role during the Hundred Years War. Indeed, located at the mouth of the Seine, Honfleur was an important defense post.
An important harbor
After these times of war, Honfleur was able to continue its development. Having become a very important trading port thanks to its ideal location between the sea and the Seine, Honfleur has also seen many expeditions set out to conquer the Americas, for example.
In 1608, the port of Honfleur took part in the voyage of the famous Samuel de Champlain, himself who founded the city of Quebec.
But it was during the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries that the port of Honfleur experienced its best years in terms of commercial activity. Whether with Canada, Louisiana or the African coasts, business was booming.
Appearance of the Old Basin
The current charm of Honfleur is undoubtedly its Vieux Bassin. In the heart of the city, surrounded by a quay accessible to pedestrians and lined with restaurants, bars, … this Vieux Bassin has not always existed.
It was during the XNUMXth century that the fortifications built at the time were destroyed to make way for a wet dock. These orders were given by Colbert in person. It is to him that we owe the Vieux Bassin and the Salt Granaries, which we will discuss a little later in this article.
Honfleur, a city of artists
In the early 1800s, many artists came to meet this city and fell under the spell of this place and the play of light they could observe. It's the beginning of good years for Honfleur: big names pass by and children of the country make themselves known thanks to their representations of the city. Eugène Boudin is probably the most famous painter born in Honfleur. Claude Monet and Charles Baudelaire were also charmed by this seductive and elegant city.
Visit Honfleur: what to do?
What to do in Honfleur?- The Old Basin of Honfleur
- The Maritime Museum
- The Salt Granaries
- Saint Catherine's Church
- The carousel of Honfleur
- The Satie houses
- Eugene Boudin Museum
- Naturospace
See the Old Bassin of Honfleur
By presenting the history of Honfleur to you, we also presented the Vieux Bassin. Built at the end of the XNUMXth century on the orders of Colbert, it was once a harbor for stranding. The construction of the Vieux Bassin also led to the destruction of part of the ramparts built during the Hundred Years War.
Today, this place is central in the life of the inhabitants of Honfleur. You can go around it thanks to various perfectly laid out and accessible platforms.
Moreover, a large part of the houses on Quai Ste-Catherine are listed as historical monuments. These buildings are recognizable and very typical of the city.
Covered with slate, narrow, colorful facades, reflected in the Vieux Bassin, this place is probably the most photographed in the city, especially at sunset!
I invite you to take advantage of the surrounding terraces on sunny days. The atmosphere is very friendly, and the view, magnificent!
Visit the Maritime Museum
Located on one of the quays around the Vieux Bassin, opposite the famous Quai Sainte-Catherine, you will find an old church, the Saint-Etienne church, which now houses the Marine Museum. This cute little church dates from the XNUMXth century. Just for the architecture of this very old church, the museum is worth a look.
In addition to this architectural aspect, this Navy museum offers exhibitions around the marine environment, the history of the port of Honfleur or even magnificent models of various ships, both military ships and fishing vessels for example. .
Take a guided tour of Honfleur!Explore this beautiful city with commentary from a local guide. In very small groups for more conviviality, choose the duration of your visit according to the time you have! From 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., Honfleur will have no more secrets for you! Guided tour in small groups of Honfleur
Not far from this museum, you can also visit the Museum of Ethnography and Popular Art. The latter introduces you to daily life in previous centuries in various families of the region. Period furniture, clothing, accessories, etc. are exhibited in this museum to visit in Honfleur.
The Salt Granaries
Of the 3 salt lofts built in the 10th century, two have stood the test of time! At the time, the development of cod fishing required the storage of large quantities of salt. In order to preserve this precious commodity, large granaries were built. In total, about 000 tons of salt could be stored in these 3 granaries. This salt was stored for the salt tax as well as for fishing the famous fish in the waters off Newfoundland.
These buildings are magnificent: stone walls and oak framework reminiscent of an inverted ship's hull. Today, these salt cellars host various cultural events throughout the year: exhibitions, festivals, conferences, shows, etc.
Saint Catherine's Church
This is a particular church that attracts many tourists to Honfleur. Its particularity is that its bell tower was built in front of the church! As surprising as it may seem, the church and its bell tower face each other. Built entirely of wood, this church is made up of two naves in order to respond to the increase in population during its construction, in the middle of the 1879th century. Completed at the end of the same century, it was classified as a historic monument in XNUMX.
In addition to observing an original building with atypical architecture, this church is located in a very pleasant area that I strongly advise you to visit in Honfleur.
The carousel of Honfleur
The carousel of Honfleur takes place every year in the summer period in front of the town hall. Built in 1995, it has recently been renovated.
Every winter, this merry-go-round travels to the Christmas market in Angers before returning to the edge of the Vieux Bassin in Honfleur. Children will be delighted to be able to take a ride in this magnificent vintage carousel.
The Satie houses
Lovers of classical music and more particularly of the piano, this museum is for you. Perhaps you know the composer Erik Satie, born at the end of the XNUMXth century. The latter was born in Honfleur. His birthplace is now converted into a museum in his honor. History of the artist, scores, pieces played, … A captivating and completely original visit.
The Eugene-Boudin Museum
Here is another museum in honor of a local artist: the painter Eugène Boudin. Born in 1824, Eugène Boudin and Louis-Alexandre Dubourg, also a painter, created this museum with the intimate desire to make the inhabitants of Honfleur aware of the Fine Arts. Today, many artistic pieces are gathered in this museum. Different currents are represented, from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century.
More information on the Eugène-Boudin MuseumThe Naturospace
To conclude on what to do to visit Honfleur and not miss anything of this city, I recommend a museum that is a bit special, original and that will appeal, for sure, to children and parents!
The Naturospace is a place that takes you to discover another universe: the butterflies of the tropical forest. Visit one of the largest tropical greenhouses in Europe and observe the butterflies in a privileged way.
In total, nearly 80 species from all over the world evolve in perfect freedom and serenity in this appropriate space. Learn more about the butterflies, but also their transformation from their caterpillar state.
This museum is really interesting and above all, very original. With or without children, you will surely have a pleasant time, a great escape during the visit.
Located just behind the Naturospace, you can also plan a pleasant walk in the Garden of Personalities. This astonishing place brings together many busts of famous personalities who were born or have stayed in Honfleur. It is a beautiful tribute to the local culture, and to its actors, who built the city we know today.
What to do around Honfleur?
After visiting Honfleur, its city center, its museums, its Vieux-Bassin and other places of interest, I invite you to discover the things to do around Honfleur!
What to visit around Honfleur?- The Normandy Bridge
- Deauville and Trouville
- Pont-Audemer
- A Calvados distillery
- Le Havre
- Pont-L'Evêque
The Normandy Bridge
One of the most impressive bridges in France and Europe, the Pont de Normandie stands out from afar. It connects Le Havre to Honfleur. More than 2 kilometers long and more than 200 meters high, construction was completed in 1995.
During the few years following construction, the Pont de Normandie held dimension records. But quickly, these records were broken around the world.
Today, you can cross this bridge by car, on foot or by bike. By car you will have to pay a toll.
Deauville and Trouville
Less than 20 kilometers south of Honfleur, two towns are worth visiting on the Côte Fleurie, Deauville and Trouville-sur-mer.
Deauville needs no introduction. Known throughout the world, Deauville is regularly talked about for its American film festival but also for its horse shows. Deauville is a city that wants to be chic, attracting an upscale population by offering a very high-end accommodation offer like the famous Normandy hotel.
Just opposite Deauville, on the other side of the Touques is Trouville-sur-Mer. More popular, also older, Trouville is a particularly pleasant town. Even if its notoriety is less, Trouville nevertheless has great assets such as its historic center, its banks of the Touques, its beach or its casino.
The two cities are, of course, very different but both are worth the detour.
Pont-Audemer
Located about half an hour by road from Honfleur, Pont-Audemer can be the subject of a beautiful walk to discover its city center. Crossed by a beautiful river, the magnificent old houses and small streets will charm you. To go further in this visit, I invite you to follow a pedestrian route bringing you to the tourist, hidden and preserved places of Pont-Audemer.
A Calvados distillery
Located in Calvados, Honfleur is not far from Calvados distilleries, a typical eau-de-vie of the region. The latter is made from cider (apple or pear). If you want to know more about this drink, I invite you to visit a distillery. You will find some a few dozen kilometers from Honfleur.
View all Calvados cellars to visit around Honfleur.
You can choose between different tour options depending on the estate you choose: guided tour, tasting, oenological workshop, etc.
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city to discover. Entirely destroyed during the war and then rebuilt, its buildings are undeniably unique. The specialty of the architect in charge of this reconstruction was reinforced concrete, and this can be seen during a visit to Le Havre!
Many tourist sites are to be visited as well as different districts. Rather pleasant to live in, a visit to Le Havre before or after your visit to Honfleur can be a good idea.
Pont-L'Evêque
Pont-L'Evêque will surely evoke something for gourmets! Indeed, it is in this small town that the cheese of the same name is produced. In addition to this undeniable gastronomic asset, the town of Pont-L'Evêque is home to a small, preserved and quite charming town centre: half-timbered, colourful, sculpted houses, mansions, public gardens, etc.
Located about a 20-minute drive from Honfleur, Pont-L'Evêque is an easily doable excursion when visiting Honfleur.
Practical information for visiting Honfleur
When to visit Honfleur?
It is always more pleasant to visit a city when the weather is nice. To visit Honfleur, I advise you to plan a stay between the months of June and September. It is during this period that you will have the mildest temperatures, the sunniest days and the least rain.The months of March, April, May and October can also be pleasant but with a higher risk of bad weather.
Where to sleep in Honfleur?
We believe that this city is an important stopover for a stay in Normandy, which is why we have devoted a specific article to answering this question. I therefore invite you to read our article on where to sleep in Honfleur for complete and precise information.How to come to Honfleur?
The ideal is to favor the car to get to Honfleur. Easily accessible whether you come from Paris, Lille or Nantes. Different highways serve Honfleur. If you arrive from Le Havre, you can take the Pont de Normandie!Honfleur does not have a train station, however you can arrive by train at Deauville/Trouville for example and continue your journey using regional buses. More information on regional buses to reach Honfleur
Where to park in Honfleur?
If you come to Honfleur by car, the question of parking will arise. Several car parks are available when you arrive in Honfleur. Ideally located to allow you to visit Honfleur in complete peace of mind, you can opt for the “Bassin du Centre” car park or the car park near the Grande Route, for example.How long to visit Honfleur?
Honfleur is a small town but has plenty to visit. I advise you to spend about 1 full day and one night there. This will leave you time to enjoy an evening along the Vieux Bassin, for example. Then to visit the various alleys and squares of the city, but also to visit the museums that interest you the most.
My opinion on the visit to Honfleur
Honfleur is a very charming city, a little favorite in Normandy. Special mention for its Vieux Bassin and the surrounding streets which are perfectly well preserved and are highlighted. If the weather permits, I recommend an evening on the terrace in this city. It is on a human scale and very lively.
Honfleur can be the ideal destination for a weekend: many sites to visit and close to cities like Deauville or Le Havre that you can visit during the day from Honfleur.
