Honfleur

Honfleur is a picturesque port town on the southern bank of the Seine estuary in Calvados. Its beautifully preserved old harbor (Vieux Bassin), lined with tall, narrow 16th–18th-century houses, has made it one of the most painted towns in France. Honfleur was a key center for the Impressionist movement — Monet, Boudin, and Courbet all painted here.

Honfleur is most easily reached by car via the A132 from the A13 motorway or via the Pont de Normandie from Le Havre. There is no train station — the nearest is in Le Havre (across the bridge) with bus connections. Buses run from Caen and Deauville.

Honfleur's historic center is compact and walkable. The Vieux Bassin, the church, and the museums are within a few minutes' walk of each other. Parking is available in lots around the edge of the old town.

• Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour) — the iconic harbor lined with slate-covered houses

• Église Sainte-Catherine — France's largest wooden church, built by shipwrights in the 15th century

• Musée Eugène Boudin — dedicated to the painter Boudin and the Honfleur school

• Lieutenance — the former royal governor's residence at the harbor entrance

• Jardin des Personnalités — a garden honoring notable Honfleur figures

• Take a harbor cruise around the Seine estuary

• Walk along the old town's cobbled streets

• Visit the Saturday market at Place Sainte-Catherine

• Explore the nearby Côte de Grâce viewpoints

Honfleur is a gastronomic destination with seafood restaurants around the Vieux Bassin. The town has many Michelin-recommended restaurants alongside crêperies and bistros.

Cafés around the Vieux Bassin serve coffee and Calvados. The town has a vibrant bar scene, particularly in summer.

Honfleur has a range of hotels from luxury establishments on the harbor to boutique hotels in converted townhouses. Chambres d'hôtes and holiday cottages are widely available.

Art galleries and studios line the harbor and side streets. Local produce includes Calvados, cider, and Honfleur's famous caramel. The Saturday market is excellent for regional specialties.

• Deauville and Trouville — 15 km west along the coast
• Le Havre — across the Pont de Normandie, a UNESCO-listed modern city
• Étretat — 25 km north, famous for its cliffs
• Caen — 60 km west
• Cabourg — 30 km west along the Côte Fleurie