A 16th-century half-timbered house, a garden on former mudflats and works by the painter Eugène Boudin offer very different ways to discover Honfleur. When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first decide whether you want to focus on art and architectural history, maritime themes or landscaped gardens. The places offer concrete points of reference, ranging from a church whose construction history is linked to shipbuilding to a cycling route that begins in Honfleur.
Art, architectural history and music
The Church of Sainte Catherine has been classified as a historic monument since 3 May 1870. Its first nave was probably built by shipwrights before 1468. The attribution to shipbuilding craftsmen places the church’s construction in a maritime context. The Musée d’ethnographie is housed in a 16th-century half-timbered building that formerly served as the prison of the Vicomté de Roncheville. The Lieutenance houses a centre for interpreting Honfleur’s maritime history and architectural heritage. From there, visitors can access elevated outdoor terraces offering a 360° panorama of Honfleur.
The Musée Eugène-Boudin displays an extensive collection of pre-Impressionist and contemporary paintings by artists of the Seine estuary across several floors. The collection includes 105 works by Eugène Boudin, including 50 paintings and 55 drawings in pencil, watercolour and pastel. The Maisons Satie offer a different kind of cultural experience: since 1998, they have presented a scenographic and musical tour in honour of Erik Satie. The musician and composer was born in Honfleur in 1866.
Gardens and tropical nature
The Jardin des Personnalités lies on a former mudflat in the estuary. Across ten landscaped hectares, it offers a walking route with garden boats and busts of figures from Honfleur’s historical and cultural heritage. The site’s former landscape and the memory of the town’s history thus come together within the same grounds. Naturospace offers a different focus: in its tropical greenhouse, hundreds of exotic butterflies fly freely among tropical vegetation and colourful birds. The two places therefore differ both in their surroundings and in what visitors can see there.
Maritime history and getting around
More recent history is also linked to a specific place: the Blockhaus de la Gare is one of the last surviving relics of the Second World War in Honfleur. The 350 m² bunker could accommodate 200 soldiers. An exhibition there presents more than 30 uniforms from the period, as well as documents and photographs.
The Vélomaritime–La Seine à Vélo begins in Honfleur and continues to Pont-l’Évêque. Part of the route follows a car-free path known as a voie verte, while the rest runs along roads shared with motor traffic. The change between these types of route is important when assessing the ride. As detailed conditions along the route may change, it is advisable to check the route before setting out.
Another option on the water is the Aventura, which departs from Honfleur harbour. Departures depend on the season, weather and visitor demand. Before travelling, check whether a departure time suits your stay.
Discover more destinations: Aunay-Sur-Odon, Le Manoir, Saint-Gatien-Des-Bois, Heurtevent, Vierville-Sur-Mer, Bonnebosq, Canchy, Equemauville.
For the regional travel overview: Calvados.
