Picturesque harbor quays, charming cobbled streets and facades in every color of the rainbow. You’ll find it all in Honfleur, an enchanting town in Normandy on the southern bank of the Seine. Honfleur is known for its rich history and stands out for its unique charm. It’s a place I absolutely wanted to visit during our road trip through Normandy. And after spending a day in Honfleur, I’m convinced: this town deserves a spot on my list of 10 most beautiful places and towns in Normandy.
History of Honfleur
Honfleur is a place where history and art seem to come together. Official records date the town back to the 11th century, but this area was already significant well before that. Julius Caesar even mentioned the conquest of a settlement here during the Gallic Wars (around 50 BC) in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico. Over the centuries, Honfleur has built up a rich heritage. It was once an important port city with a thriving center for trade and fishing. Strategically, it also played a key role, as the Seine provided the shortest water route to Paris.
Honfleur was loved by artists
In the 19th century, countless artists were drawn to Honfleur, including the famous Impressionists Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin. They were captivated by the unique light, the picturesque harbor and the surrounding landscape. Many small masterpieces were created in Honfleur’s narrow streets, along the harbor quays and on the banks of the Seine. It’s no surprise that Honfleur is known as the birthplace of Impressionism.
Walking through Honfleur past the main sights
The best way to discover Honfleur is on foot. It truly feels like stepping back in time. In the old town, you’ll find narrow cobbled streets and many historic buildings. Colorful fishing boats line the harbor, there are inviting restaurants with sunny terraces and there’s plenty to admire. Below are the most well-known sights in Honfleur.
L’église Sainte-Catherine
L’église Sainte-Catherine is one of the absolute highlights of Honfleur. This is the largest wooden church in France and a stunning example of craftsmanship. It was built in the 15th century by sailors and shares many features with Norwegian stave churches. Inside, the wooden carvings are beautifully detailed and there are many unique objects to see. Take your time to fully appreciate it all.
Tour de l’Horloge
The clock tower of Honfleur, Tour de l’Horloge, is another iconic symbol of the town. It was built in the 16th century a few meters away from L’église Sainte-Catherine, partly to reduce the risk of fire spreading. The Tour de l’Horloge rises majestically above the rooftops and in the surrounding streets you’ll find many charming views of the tower. One striking feature is the astronomical clock, which was added in the 19th century. A brilliant piece of engineering and a testament to the ingenuity of the time. From the top of the tower, you’ll have stunning views over the town, the harbor and the surrounding landscape. It’s no wonder climbing the tower is such a popular activity among visitors to Honfleur.
Vieux Bassin
The beating heart of Honfleur is the old harbor, Vieux Bassin. It is a picturesque, lively and above all charming spot. The old harbor is surrounded by colorful, characteristic half-timbered houses, most of which have six or seven floors. From nearly every point along the quay, you get a perfect view! Especially at sunrise or sunset, it’s a great place for photography, but I must say I also really like the light at midday.
Along the quay of the old harbor, you’ll find many cafés, restaurants and terraces. If you settle here for lunch, drinks or dinner, almost every terrace offers a beautiful view of the boats in the harbor. The menu features many local seafood dishes such as oysters, shrimp and mussels, served almost straight from the sea onto your plate.
Lieutenance
The historic Lieutenance dates back to the 18th century and is located at the entrance of the old harbor. It was built in an elegant neoclassical style on the foundations of a castle. The facade is decorated with ornamental details and its stately appearance reflects the former power and wealth of Honfleur. The building served as both the town hall and the governor’s residence. One of the two original city gates is still part of this structure. On the side, you’ll find a commemorative plaque dedicated to the French explorer Samuel de Champlain.
Greniers à Sel
In Honfleur, you’ll find two former salt warehouses dating back to the 17th century. These buildings, now classified as historic monuments, once stored over 10,000 tons of salt used for curing fish. The spaces have been converted into exhibition halls and regularly host art shows and cultural events, making it a great place to experience modern art and design.
Lavoir rue de la Foulerie
The harbor and surrounding streets of Honfleur are always busy. But if you take some side streets, you’ll quickly find yourself in a quieter area. There, you might come across charming spots like Lavoir rue de la Foulerie, a former washing place. In the past, a lavoir served not only a practical purpose but also as a social meeting point. Women gathered here to chat, share news and discuss their daily tasks. Today, it’s a peaceful spot to cool off in the shade with your wrists in the cold water.
Museums in Honfleur
If you’re like me and always curious about the history of towns and villages, how life used to be, the stories and the daily lives of people centuries ago, you’ll find several museums to visit in Honfleur.
Musée d’Ethnographie
The Musée d’Ethnographie offers a glimpse into everyday life from centuries ago. The museum is housed in a beautiful 16th-century building that once served as the prison of the Vicomté de Roncheville. Inside, you can explore various interiors and see how people lived, ate and worked, virtually every type of room is represented.
Musée Eugène Boudin
The Musée Eugène Boudin is dedicated to the famous Impressionist painter Eugène Boudin, who was born in Honfleur. The museum houses an extensive collection of his works as well as pieces by other artists inspired by Honfleur and the surrounding region. It is a great place to learn more about the city’s artistic history.
Maisons Satie
For a unique experience, you can visit Maisons Satie. This museum is dedicated to the composer Erik Satie, a French composer born in Honfleur. It offers a multimedia experience that immerses you in Satie’s surreal world. From interactive exhibitions to musical installations, it’s a surprising and engaging place to explore.
Musée de la Marine
The Musée de la Marine takes you on a journey through Honfleur’s maritime history. Here you can admire models of historic ships, learn about the city’s fishing traditions and discover the role Honfleur played in the exploration voyages of the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll find this museum in Honfleur’s oldest church, L’église Saint-Étienne.
Culinary delights in Honfleur
Honfleur is known not only for its artistic heritage but also for its culinary pleasures. If you love fresh seafood, this is the place to be. The town is famous for its oysters, shrimp, mussels and other local delicacies. Visiting one of the many cozy restaurants along the quay is a must for food lovers. Honfleur also has several artisanal shops where you can find local specialties such as Calvados, the famous Norman apple brandy.
Wandering through the old streets of Honfleur
As you’ve already read above, the best way to discover Honfleur is by wandering through the old streets. Each street feels different and you’ll come across many surprises. Extremely crooked buildings, narrow passageways where you wouldn’t expect them, as well as charming shops and cafés. So don’t spend too much time just in the harbor area, take a stroll through the surrounding streets and alleys!
Boat trips on the Seine
You can see Honfleur from the water by taking a boat trip on the Seine. Various companies offer cruises, ranging from short tours around the harbor to longer excursions upriver. It’s a great way to view the town, the harbor and the surrounding area from a different perspective.
Pont de Normandie
During an upriver boat trip on the Seine, you’ll see the impressive Pont de Normandie, the cable-stayed bridge that connects Honfleur with Le Havre. If you don’t get a chance to take a boat trip, you might consider driving over the bridge if Le Havre is on your itinerary. The 2,143-metre-long bridge offers an amazing view of the Seine estuary, the surrounding landscape, as well as Le Havre and Honfleur. Keep in mind that there is a toll when crossing the bridge.
Jardin des Personnalités
The beautiful Jardin des Personnalités park is located on the southern bank of the Seine and offers a peaceful green oasis. The park features statues of famous personalities connected to Honfleur, such as Claude Monet and Erik Satie. If you enjoy combining a city visit with some calm time in a lovely park, this is the place to be after a day in Honfleur.
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
If you visit Jardin des Personnalités, be sure to also stop by Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. This chapel is about 2.5 kilometres from the city centre, perched on a hill called Mont-Joli. A chapel has stood here since the 11th century. Over the centuries, the chapel has undergone several transformations. The current building mostly dates from the 17th century and features a Gothic style with some Renaissance elements.
Naturospace Honfleur
Close to Jardin des Personnalités is Naturospace, where you enter the world of tropical butterflies. At Naturospace Honfleur, you can observe the life cycle of butterflies up close. From egg to caterpillar, from chrysalis to adult butterfly, you can experience the full metamorphosis process. Besides butterflies, there are also other animals to see, such as birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Discover Honfleur in a unique way
If you feel like exploring a city and its surroundings in a completely different way, you can do so in Honfleur with a vintage sidecar. During a private tour, you’ll see all the well-known sights in and around Honfleur. The guide also shares plenty of stories about the town’s history. I once took a similar private sidecar tour, not in Honfleur but in Aix-en-Provence and I think it’s one of the most original ways to be guided around!
