What to see in Honfleur
On the estuary of the Seine spanned by the impressive Normandy Bridge, at the gateway to the Auge region and the aptly named Côte de Grâce, Honfleur exudes the scent of holidays all year round. One could stroll for hours along the Vieux Bassin and around the Sainte-Catherine bell tower, through the old streets full of charm and half-timbered houses. On the port side, a flotilla of fishing boats unloads fish and shellfish every day.
Old basin
Created by Duquesne on the orders of Colbert, the Vieux-Bassin is surrounded by delightful quays and the pleasure boats add to the charm. The rich stone houses of the Quai Saint-Étienne, with two storeys and mansards, contrast with those of the Quai Sainte-Catherine, whose narrow, high houses, with up to seven storeys, have wooden facades protected by slates. The Lieutenancy, which dominates the lift bridge, completes this unique ensemble. Guardian of the Old Basin, the Lieutenance is a vestige of the former residence (17th century) of the king's lieutenant, governor of Honfleur. On the facades are embedded the old Caen gate, one of the two entrances to the medieval town, and a plaque commemorating Champlain's departures for Canada, including the one in 1608 that led to the founding of Quebec. In front of the building, you can see some old sailing ships.
Saint Catherine's Square
The astonishing double-roofed church of Saint Catherine, almost entirely made of wood, dates back to the 15th century, after the Hundred Years' War. The inhabitants of Honfleur were eager to thank God for the departure of the English and commissioned shipbuilders to build the church. The interior consists of twin naves and two aisles. Each nave is covered by a wooden vault with an exposed framework supported by oak pillars in the shape of an inverted hull. The Sainte-Catherine bell tower is now an annex of the Eugène-Boudin museum, and religious works are exhibited there. It houses mainly sacred art objects, ornaments and torches used by the charitable brotherhoods. This sturdy oak construction, isolated from the church and covered with chestnut, rests on a large base which housed the bellman's house.
Saint Leonard's Church
The facade of this church is a bizarre combination of a rich flamboyant portal (15th century) and a domed bell tower (1760). Inside, there are some pretty statues and two stoupers made of natural shells.
Columns with images
Here are some Restaurant Ideas
- L'homme de bois
- L'endroit
- Brasserie L'ostrea
For a drink
- Le perroquet vert
- Chez DD
- L'albatros
- Bar a Tapas: La Taberna