Spending
time in the picture-perfect port of Honfleur is a treat for history buffs and
fans of the arts. Famed for it’s appealing harbourside, Honfleur has a long and
interesting history which definitely makes it worth exploring.
Honfleur
is a small place that is easy to explore by foot. If you were determined to,
you could visit most of the sights in two days, but why hurry in such a pretty
place? You could easily spend several days taking in all Honfleur has to offer
at a leisurely pace.
Le
Vieux Bassin
Ports
don’t come any prettier than Honfleur. The 17th century port is
surrounded by tall 6-7 storey medieval timbered buildings, and the quayside
lined with shops, cafes and restaurants, making it very easy to enjoy a spot of
people-watching with a spectacular backdrop.
Musee
du Vieux Honfleur (Museum of Old Honfleur)
An
excellent introduction to Honfleur’s history is provided by the Musee du Vieux
Honfleur, which is on a narrow side street off the east side of the Bassin.
Housed in one of the town’s characteristic old buildings, the different rooms
of the museum display typical building / room set-ups from the past, which
really makes a visit feel like a walk through history. Honfleur hosts an impressive
number of museums for a small town. You could also visit the Musee d’Ethnographie, Musee de la
Marine, explore Honfleur’s artistic history via the collection of Impressionist
works at the Eugene Boudin Museum or explore Maisons Satie, the museum
dedicated to the composer.
 |
| Musee du Vieux Honfleur, Normandy, France |
Saint
Catherine’s Church
Just
off the western side of the Bassin is Saint Catherine’s Church, a 15th
Century church which is the last surviving wooden church in France. The
preservation of the striking wooden structure in the centre of a little square
is impressive, as is the delicate woodwork on the inside. Built from locally
sourced timber, and in the shape of an upturned hull, the church is a tribute
Honfleur’s historic naval construction skills.
Saturday
market
Which self-respecting French town wouldn't have a market to marvel at? For
the freshest local produce, a trip to Honfleur’s Saturday morning market is
unmissable. Stall after stall offers delightful edible local treats such as
cheeses, meat products, sweet goods, as well as a great choice of fruit and
vegetables. Miscellaneous stalls are scattered around Saint Catherine’s church
selling garden decoration, antiques, art, books, all sorts. The variety makes
it a very interesting market to browse.
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| Honfleur Market, Normandy, France |
Pont
de Normandie
If
you do take an excursion out of town and like a roadtrip with a view, the Pont
de Normandie is just north of town connecting Honfleur to Le Havre. Completed
in 1995, the very tall suspension bridge spans the 1.3 mile width of the Seine.
It offers a great view over the estuary (to passengers!) and there is a toll to
cross.
Calvados
by the harbour
Of course
after a busy day exploring all Honfleur has to offer, the best way to unwind is
by enjoying a local specialty at one of the harbourside cafes. Calvados is an
apple brandy, and a specialty from the Normandy region. If that sounds a bit
heavy, unwind with an equally tasty Normandy cider.
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| Calvados and Cider by Honfleur's harbour, Normandy, France |
