HONFLEUR NORMANDIE

On a recent road trip from the UK to Portugal, we made our first overnight stop at Honfleur, Normandy. It was the first place we visited and it was the most lasting memory I had at the end of our 3-week epic journey!

Inspired by another travel bloggers photo’s I was a little worried that I’d built it up too much in my mind and that disappointment was imminent but I needn’t have worried. Visiting Honfleur was everything and more than I had imagined it to be, a fascinating place with famous connections when you look into it’s past. Plus, a fab opportunity to take photographs and eat a few macaroons on your way around!

In this article we’ll cover…

• Where we stayed – a beautiful place we can wholeheartedly recommend
• A bit about Honfleurs history
• Places to see and things to do in Honfleur

Honfleur, Normandy – Stick It On Your Bucket List!

Whether you’re exploring this area of France and are looking for unforgettable day-trips, or craving a charming Normandy escape for the weekend, Honfleur absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary. It’s unbelievably old, bursting with character and charm, and you’ll feel like you’ve time-travelled to another slice of history. So, let us tell you more…

Where To Stay In Honfleur

Honfleur is only a 2 hour train ride from Paris and many day-trippers make the journey so we think spending at least one night in Honfleur is the only way to truly experience it – the early mornings and late afternoon/evenings are much quieter.

And, as you’re about to discover, Honfleur was quite the artists hangout. Greats like Monet and Boudin were captivted by its light and charm. So we think that the Honfleur hotel La Ferme Saint Simeon is the perfect place to stay.

In bygone days, when the 19th-century property was still a working farm, the artist Boudin had his studio here and entertained other artists of the Impressionist school, including Monet and Corot. This beautiful Honfleur hotel is an inn with 34 luxury rooms, scattered around the estate and you can even stay in the room Monet himself stayed. Oak panelling, antique furniture and a luxury modern touch. The hotel also boasts a large spa, indoor swimming pool and a distinguished restaurant. Definitely the location if you want to soak up a bit of Honfleurs cultural history.

For the best deals at La Ferme Saint Simeon Hotel, Honfleur, click here.

A Bit Of Honfleur History

Nestled where the estuary of the Seine flows into the sea, the town of Honfleur in Normandy is more than just a picturesque harbour — it is a place whose story is intertwined with Viking incursions, Royal conquests, interesting Naval expeditions and artistic rebirth.

The first written record of Honfleur appears in 1025 AD, mentioned in a document of Richard III, Duke of Normandy. But according to local history, the foundations of Honfleur’s port lie in Viking activity: the rich hinterland and safe harbour would have appealed to Norsemen settling parts of Normandy. But given its vital position at the mouth of the Seine, Honfleur grew in strategic importance.

It served mainly as an important transit port for goods, and wealth followed as you would expect. However, because the River Seine was an access point to bigger, more important cities upstream, Honfleur was constantly overthrown and batted backwards and forwards between English and French ownership – this town has seen some fighting!

As the wars of the middle-ages calmed somewhat, Honfleur regained its Maritime prosperity and became a key Atlantic port. It traded with North America, the West Indies, the Azores and Africa, including participation in the slave trade. The recognisable row of tall, narrow timber-framed houses around the harbour basin (the Vieux Bassin) date from 16th-18th-century prosperity and reflect the wealth of ship-owners and traders of the era.

One of the most celebrated moments in Honfleur’s history occurred in 1608 when the French explorer Samuel de Champlain departed from Honfleur to found the settlement of Québec in Canada.

DECLINE, ARTISTIC REVIVAL AND PRESERVATION

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the port of Honfleur found itself overshadowed by its neighbour Le Havre, and maritime traffic pulled away. The silver lining though was that the towns architecture remained largely intact and along with the etheral light from the Seine artists were flocking from everywhere to paint it. You may recognise it even before you visit as it was painted by many impressionists including Monet and Cezanne after Honfleur’s very own, Eugène Boudin, taught many an art student how to paint outdoors and capture the essence of water. Here was born the Impressionist movement we’ve all come to know and love.

Things To Do In Honfleur

There’s a reason Honfleur regularly appears on lists of the most beautiful towns in France. Its compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot, and every turn reveals another scene worthy of an oil painting. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip from Paris or staying a little longer to soak up the Norman charm, here are some of the best things to do in Honfleur.

Wander The Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour)

The beating heart of Honfleur is the Vieux Bassin, the old harbour that has inspired artists, sailors, and poets for centuries. Its tall, narrow houses — built between the 16th and 18th centuries — lean protectively over the water, their slate façades reflecting in the ripples below. Pull up a chair at one of the many harbour-side cafés for a coffee or glass of local cider, and simply watch the world go by. It’s particularly atmospheric in the early morning or at sunset, when the light shifts and the whole port seems to shimmer.

Visit St Catherines Church

Just a few steps from the harbour stands Église Sainte-Catherine, France’s largest wooden church. Built by the towns shipmakers using axes and no saws, this church looks like two upturned boat hulls and smells faintly of oak and salt. The detached belfry next door was added later to protect the timber from lightning strikes. Inside, the church is quietly breathtaking — a reminder of the town’s seafaring craftsmanship and resilience.

Explore Honfleur’s Museums

Honfleur is rich in culture and creativity. Art lovers should make time for the Eugène Boudin Museum, which celebrates the town’s most famous artist and his influence on the Impressionist movement. You’ll find works by Monet, Courbet, and other members of the “Honfleur School”, all capturing that distinctive Norman light. Nearby, the Maison Satie (the surreal childhood home of composer Erik Satie) offers an audio-visual experience that’s equal parts quirky and brilliant — very much in keeping with its eccentric namesake.

Browse The Shops And Local Delicacies

When you penetrate the Vieux Bassin into the cobbled streets behind, you’re just swapping one kind of good view for another. Rows upon rows of quaint little shops whose keepers recognise the notion that we shoppers buy with our eyes: the signwriting is beautiful, the glasswork is beautiful and the displays inside are so attractive that before you know it you’re in there drooling over the produce. Chocolate shops, patisseries and delicatessens are all vying for your attention, and they’re going to get it!

The scent of salted caramel wafts from the Maison du Caramel, and every pâtisserie displays glossy tarts and golden croissants begging to be eaten, or at least photographed. The town is also known for its local Calvados (apple brandy), so a tasting in one of the nearby distilleries is a must for anyone wanting a true taste of Normandy.

Stroll The Promenade And Beach

If you fancy stretching your legs, follow the Promenade de la Jetée towards Honfleur’s small sandy beach and lighthouse. On the way, you’ll pass old fishermen’s cottages, sea-sprayed piers, and wide views across the Seine estuary to Le Havre. On a clear day, it’s one of the most peaceful walks in Normandy.

Some of the first dinosaur fossils ever found were here in Honfleur and one particular species was named the Honfleur Crocodile after several were discovered on the beach about 1770 – so you never know, you could come across your own discovery too!

Visit The Honfleur Markets

Don’t miss the weekly market at Place Sainte-Catherine: every Saturday morning the square and surrounding streets fill with stall-holders selling local produce, cheeses, fresh seafood, seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers and everything in between. The neighbouring Wednesday ‘bio’ market offers an even more specialised selection of organic and artisan goods. Grab a basket, wander the quayside afterwards, and you’ll feel you’ve stepped into a Norman-market scene straight out of a film.

Eating In Honfleur

There are many gorgeous cafes and bars on the waterfront but expect high prices and not neccessarily quality either. Locals favour Rue des Lingots or Rue Haute for more authentic Norman cuisine at fairer prices. They also eat 12 – 2pm, so arrive before or after to avoid the queues.

Dishes to try; Mussels in cider sauce, galettes with local cheese, and teurgoule (Norman rice pudding).

Top Tips For Visiting Honfleur

• The earlier in the day you visit, the better – the crowds really start arriving around 11am
• Park at Parking du Naturospace on Boulevard Charles V – it’s free all day but does fill up quickly. Alternatively, there’s Cours des Fossés which is around €1.30 hr or €14 day rate.
• You can walk everywhere – everything from the Vieux Bassin to Saint-Catherine’s Church and the art galleries are within 10–15 minutes on foot.
• Naturospace is a tropical butterfly house only 5 minutes drive from Honfleur and perfect for families.
• The Butte de Grâce Viewpoint is a short uphill walk from Honfleur and rewards you with sweeping views of the town and the Seine estuary.
• If you are doing an ‘Honfleur-Weekend’ and are wanting some easy day-trips, the chic seaside towns of Deauville and Trouville are only 25 minutes away.

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So there you have it – the low down on Honfleur, whether you’re just passing through or enjoying a few nights in this pretty as a picture French harbour town. We just know you’re going to love it!

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