The 16 things to do in Honfleur

Would you like to discover the Norman coast? Pack your bags in the Calvados and visit the city of Honfleur.

Honfleur, this seaside resort of the Côte Fleurie, houses many cultural and artistic gems. It represents all the Norman elegance between its wood-paned houses, its old port and its gastronomy.

The charm of the small streets of the historic center will give you the impression of going back to time with your steps. The impressionist movement inspired by the great names of Honfleur left an indelible trace of the city's heritage. You will necessarily fall under its charm between its maritime landscape and its campagnard hinterland.

If you stay in the city of the painters for the first time, discover the 16 must-have to do in Honfleur during a weekend or a prolonged stay.

Walking in the Old Basin, the heart of the historic centre

If the port Amsterdam has its sailors singing, the port of Honfleur has its houses that are reflected in the water. When you crowd the pavers of the Old Basin, you are transported in a postcard decor.

The narrow coloured facades of the 17th and 18th centuries wooden houses border the basin as guards of the places. Moreover, several of them are listed as historical monuments. This tourist attraction attracts all kinds of artists wishing to pay tribute to this Norman port.

You will surely come across painters immortalizing the colours of the city from the end of their brush and hidden photographers behind their camera.

Visit the church of Sainte-Catherine

The church of Sainte-Catherine is among the must-sees to visit during a visit to Honfleur. This wood-paned building built in the second half of the 15th century is one of the historic monuments of the city.

It is also one of the last and largest erected in France with a separate bell tower. The latter, made from oak, is also visiting. When you enter this sacred place, you feel like you have above you the hull of a spilled boat. Indeed, the workers of the time had excellent knowledge of the shipbuilding.

For the little story, the church replaced a stone church destroyed during the Hundred Years War.

Discover the garden of the Personalities of Honfleur

Looking for tranquility during your visit to Honfleur? Head towards the 10 hectares of Jardin des Personalities between the Vieux Bassin and the digue on the banks of the Seine. This green lung is home to magnificent statues of personalities from Honfleur or who have stopped it.

During your walk, meet Claude Monet , Eugène Boudin , Charles Baudelaire , Erik Satie , Françoise Sagan or Michel Serrault . Many benches between the built-in aisles invite you to take a break between the roses and the large green lawns.

Visit the salt granaries

Raise time during your visit to the salt barn. These three stone buildings were built in 1670 from the city walls. At the time, they allowed to store up to 10,000 tons of salt to keep the cod and herring.

Today, there are only two buildings classified as historical monuments. They host all kinds of cultural events such as exhibitions, concerts and conferences.

Visit museums

Honfleur has four must-have museums to understand the local heritage. If you want to visit them all, Wanderlix recommends the Museum Pass with its preferential rates. You will find them directly in museums or at the tourist office.

The Eugène Boudin Museum

We start this tour in the most popular museums of the Norman city with the Eugène Boudin Museum. The latter pays tribute to this great pioneering painter of impressionism. The museum is full of paintings by Norman painters: Boudin, Monet, Dufourg, Courbet and Dufy.

The museum has seven exhibition rooms each on a specific theme. They plunge you to the heart of the impressionist and romantic painting of the region. Also discover thousands of Norman objects and hairs from an ethnographic collection.

The Museum of Ethnography and Popular Art

The former Rocheville vicomté prison houses the nine pieces of the Museum of Ethnography and Popular Art in Honfleur. Take back time to meet the daily life of domestic workers and the Norman economic life from the 16th century to the 19th century. During your visit, observe antique objects of popular art, costumes and typical furniture of the region. A real immersion in time!

The Navy Museum

The museums of the city of Honfleur have this unique feature of nesting in incredible historic buildings. The Navy is no exception.

It takes place in the heart of the parish church of Saint-Étienne between two narrow houses facing the Old Basin. These walls house a collection of models, engravings and objects related to the sea. You will discover the history of exciting explorers such as the Maquis de la Roche or the expedition of Roberval to the Canada .

The Satie Houses

The Maisons Satie invite you to discover the composer and musician of the twentieth century, Erik Satie. They gather three houses classified as historical monuments, including those where the author grew up. This genius of music, a child of the city, worked with the greatest names of his time such as Picasso and Braque.

You will see it, this visit does not look like the other three museums in the city. It immerses you in musical scenographic paintings combining image, sound and light. The little ones like the big ones are asking for their meaning during this poetic show.

To the bridge of Normandy

You can't visit Honfleur without stopping in front of or on the bridge of Normandy. This metal giant connects the Upper Normandy to the Lower Normandy of its long arm above the Seine.

A true icon of the landscape of Honferais, it even appears on many postcards. The two kilometers of road are taken by car, by bike and by foot. From the top of its 214 meters, you will embrace the panorama on the Seine valley.

Visit the church of Saint-Léonard

The church of Saint-Léonard has crossed the centuries to offer you today an impressive Gothic façade. Built in 1186, it was destroyed during the Hundred Years War as many religious buildings.

Rebuilt in the early 16th century, she paid tribute to Saint-Léonard. This noble of the court of King Clovis is seen at the time as the Saint-Patron of the prisoners. The most remarkable details are hidden in its main portal erected under Gothic art and its bell tower.

In the vicinity of this place of worship, you will distinguish between fountains and a former washhouse dating from the time.

Discover the gastronomy of the region

If French gastronomy holds its letters of nobility in the world, Honfleur gives it a perfect tribute. Normandy has a unique culinary art that will make the happiness of all palaces. Taste the famous Norman cheeses all labeled AOP: Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l’Évêque and the heart of Neufchâtel.

At the hour of the aperitif, it is the Calvados and the Pommeau who sit on the table of honor. Moreover, many shops sell drinks in the alleys of the Norman city. Honfleur also has a unique specialty: the honfleuraise bouillabaisse. This rich dish made from several fishes in the Channel is served in the various restaurants of the city.

Spread in the picturesque streets of Honfleur

At Wanderlix, we like to explore the cities with our steps. You are recommended to do the same when you visit Honfleur. Let yourself be carried by the special atmosphere of the neighborhoods of Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Léonard and Enclos. Discover alleys and traditional handicraft shops at the turn of a corner of stone wall. Colored dove houses will guide you throughout your expedition.

Visit the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce chapel

Nestled at the top of Mont Jolie, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Chapel was born in the early 17th century thanks to the Duke of Normandy. Inside, you will find paintings, boat models and an ancient organ.

From this promontory of Mont Jolie, Honfleur’s animation extends under your feet. The estuary of the Seine, Le Havre and the famous bridge of Normandy arrive in the backdrop behind the colorful roofs of the city. The sharpest eyes will recognize the Butin beach and the Garden of Personalities among the houses in doves.

Walking around the Butin beach

The city of Honfleur remains a seaside resort first of all, then direction the seaside. The beach of Butin extends over several kilometers of sand at the entrance of the city. This family beach has all the amenities (showers, toilets, bathroom, playground...) to spend a pleasant time with family.

In addition, several bike paths lead to the beach for the most sporting of you. Nautical activity enthusiasts will be able to indulge in paddle, canoeing or sailing freely. If you want to eat on site, a coffee sells snacks and drinks on the beach. In the summer, the children bathe without any concern in the bathing area supervised by master-agers.

Take a walk at sea

Finally, if you don't know what to do in Honfleur, take the sea. Several circuits exist to discover the Norman port in another way. Enjoy a 1h30 walk in the Seine estuary with passages under the bridge of Normandy. You can also choose a commented visit from Honfleur for 45 minutes. You will sail on the Calypso, an ancient whaler.

What to see and do around Honfleur?

How to go to Honfleur?

Honfleur belongs to the department of Calvados in Normandy. You can easily get there by car and park in the parking lot of the city. It is located at 2:30 am Paris , 3h45 from Nantes , 2h40 Rennes and 3h35 Lille .

The Norman city unfortunately does not have a direct train line from the major cities. If you come from Paris, take a train at Paris Saint-Lazare train station in Trouville-Deauville. Then go in a connection with the green buses or Nomad Car to the city centre. The option of the regional bus is possible from the surrounding cities.

Maybe you prefer the airs? Fly to Deauville Saint-Gatien Airport 10 km from Honfleur Centre. To find the best price for Honfleur, use a flight travel comparator .

Where to stay in Honfleur?

Accommodation when visiting Honfleur is very simple so the choices of accommodation are multiple according to the budgets of each. For those wishing to travel less budget, many Airbnb are for rent in different neighborhoods of the city.

Moreover, if you want a lively neighborhood, we recommend the Vieux Bassin. Berced by the noise of the boats of the fishing port, you will be at the heart of the growing. For those who prefer to stay in a quiet area, stay in the Saint-Léonard district. Those who prioritize shopping and shopping streets will put their suitcases in the Enclos district.

For those for whom comfort is a must, you can find accommodation according to your budget with our Compare hotels !

How to move to Honfleur?

Leave your car and move to Honfleur on foot. All main attractions are accessible by the pedestrian route. The most athletic people can also rent bikes during their trip.

So, convinced by a road trip in Normandy ?