What to see in Honfleur ? If you come to visit Honfleur and want to know all the things to see in Honfleur, this post is for you!
Honfleur is located on the east coast of Calvados. The coast is lined with pretty villages, each with its own unique character. So let’s start by visiting Honfleur together, the city of painters! Come with me on a tour!
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT HONFLEUR
How to get to Honfleur from Paris?
Honfleur is located 20 minutes north of Deauville and 30 minutes from Le Havre. Rouen is 1 hour away and Paris is 2 hours and 15 minutes by car.
Rent a car here if you need to.
To park in Honfleur, expect to pay €4 for a day pass in the car park between the two harbours, to the east of the town.
You can also reach the coast by train from Rouen (2 hours) or Paris (2 hours 25 minutes) via the Trouville-Deauville station. From there, you can take bus line 20 (timetable) to Honfleur in 40 minutes. Buses run approximately every hour and the fare is €2.50.
Where to stay to visit Honfleur?
Here are several suggestions for charming accommodation in Honfleur, located near the most beautiful things to see in Honfleur. If you prefer to stay around Deauville and enjoy the immediate proximity to the sea, there are many hotels, but prices rise quickly, especially in high season.
Find your accommodation in Honfleur !
3 recommended accommodation to discover the most beautiful things to see in Honfleur
L’ABSINTHE HÔTEL, HONFLEUR
- Beautiful 16th century hotel
- On Honfleur harbour
- From €130
LA COUR SAINTE CATHERINE
- Charming B&B
- In Honfleur center
- From €150
VILLA AUGEVAL, DEAUVILLE
- In Deauville center
- With a pool and a spa
- From €180
How long does it take to visit Honfleur?
The village is not very big and two hours are enough to visit Honfleur. Everything is very easy to do on foot.
It’s even possible to make a day trip from Paris by train if you leave early in the morning.
What to bring back from Honfleur?
La Maison du Caramel in Honfleur offers delicious caramels, as well as other high-quality regional products. – 35 Rue Haute
The Caramels de Normandie shop also offers a wide variety of soft caramels and sweets. – 27 rue des Logettes
Right next door, the Un jour en Normandie shop offers dozens of types of calvados and they are very helpful. – 23 rue des logettes.
Even though Honfleur is also very touristy, the shops in Deauville do not offer the same prices…
#1 TOP THINGS TO SEE IN HONFLEUR : THE OLD HARBOUR
Located at the mouth of the Seine, Honfleur developed in the 9th century after the Vikings invaded and settled in the Bay of Seine. Over the centuries, the town became a key point for defending the royal river and the starting point for many maritime explorations, such as that of Champlain, which led to the founding of Quebec.
The old harbour is the nerve centre of Honfleur, painted by many Impressionist artists. The moored boats and sailing ships are reflected in the harbour, creating a superb fresco of colours. All around, the old houses surrounding the basin also reveal their magnificent slate facades in the harbour. Most are very tall, very narrow and often crooked. Their ground floors are decorated with half-timbering and house shops and small restaurants.
The scene at the Honfleur basin in the early morning is magical, as the light is very special, especially in winter! It was this light that attracted Impressionist painters such as Monet, Jongkind and Boudin, who came to settle in Honfleur.
Opposite the houses on the Quai Sainte Catherine, the pretty Saint-Etienne church blends into the landscape. And at the end of the old harbour, you will see the only remains of the town’s ancient fortifications: the Lieutenance. From the 17th century onwards, it served as the residence of the king’s lieutenant, hence its name.
#2 TOP THINGS TO SEE IN HONFLEUR: ITS PICTURESQUE STREETS
You can’t visit Honfleur without venturing into the streets of the old town.
It’s very pleasant to stroll around and admire the local façades and their amazing details. Some are made of slate, others are half-timbered, and others are covered with wooden tiles! One of the most picturesque streets is the rue Haute with its colourful half-timbered houses.
At the very beginning of the street, you can see the words ‘Pharmacie du Passocéan, remède contre le mal de mer’ (Passocéan Pharmacy, remedy for seasickness) on the façade of the pharmacy! In this street, you will also find pretty souvenir shops and a few art galleries. The Philippe Géraud studio offers a series of humorous drawings, paintings and reproductions that make great decorative items. – 39 Rue Haute.
#3 TOP THINGS TO SEE IN HONFLEUR: THE WOODEN CHURCH
All the streets in the old town meet at Place Sainte Catherine.
Located in the heart of the village, it is famous for its magnificent wooden church. It is actually the largest wooden church in France with a separate bell tower, which is located right next to it. Wood was chosen for the construction after the Hundred Years’ War, as it was the most affordable material and perfectly mastered by the shipbuilders of the time. Don’t miss a visit inside, which is made entirely of wood and is truly surprising!
Behind Place Sainte Catherine, Rue du Puits is also very pretty, with small private cul-de-sacs that give the impression of being in the countryside. Some of the houses have plaques indicating that a painter or artist once lived there. Honfleur is also home to the museum of the painter Eugène Boudin and that of the composer Erik Satie. The town has a rich cultural heritage with many art galleries still in existence.
When it comes to beaches, however, Honfleur is a little less idyllic! Its main beach is large but overlooks the port of Le Havre. So I’ll take you to Deauville instead, where you can enjoy the seaside!
OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN HONFLEUR AND AROUND?
I hope you enjoyed finding out out the most beautiful things to see in Honfleur ! After visiting Honfleur, it’s time for Deauville!
The city of filmmakers offers a completely different atmosphere from Honfleur, with a more chic feel. With its marina, casino, luxury hotels, seaside baths, racecourse and stud farm, Deauville is the city of elegant leisure activities. Its town centre is very pretty and well worth a stroll. Luxury hotels stand alongside the most beautiful Norman houses and high-end boutiques housed in pretty half-timbered buildings. The architecture is typical and particularly elegant. Half-timbering decorates the upper floors, while on the ground floor it is replaced by a mosaic of red and white squares.
Don’t miss the beautiful Villa Strassburger, located on the heights of Deauville. The casino is also worth a visit, with its red and gold décor adorned with mirrors and marble! It is said to be one of the most beautiful in France.
Then head to Deauville’s famous beach, which is deserted during the winter months. The 650-metre-long boardwalk offers a beautiful view of the long beige sandy beach. Its famous bathing huts with sky-blue doors are named after celebrities who have attended the Deauville American Film Festival.
I then recommend crossing the bridge over the river to reach Trouville. Nicknamed ‘the countryside by the sea’, Trouville also has a lot of charm. Its fish market is worth a visit and is undoubtedly the best place to enjoy freshly caught produce. You will also find a large number of restaurants there.
The Côte Fleurie: Between Deauville and Cabourg lies the Côte Fleurie, which offers a beautiful succession of seaside resorts with elegant architecture and sandy beaches… A very pleasant destination for a weekend, which you can discover in my dedicated article.
Etretat (45 mins away): If you’re already on the Normandy coast, don’t miss a trip to Etretat, one of the most beautiful sites in the region. You can reach Etretat via the beautiful Normandy Bridge in less than 45 minutes. Read my post All You Need to Know to Visit Etretat cliffs and region
Caen (50 min away) : Caen is a refreshing getaway, where history, the sea, the Normandy landings, sea air, and half-timbered houses all come together! Read my post Visit Caen in Normandy : Top Things to See in Caen
Rouen (1 hour away): I mentioned it last week on the blog, I loved its charming historic centre (and colourful half-timbered houses). Find all the tips and information you need to visit Rouen in one day!
Have a great weekend and see you soon for the discovery of a new region!
If you also use Pinterest, follow me on this network: La Marinière en Voyage – and don’t forget to pin this article so you can find it easily!
