10 Best Things to Do in Honfleur

The historic dock of Vieux Bassin, also known as The Old Harbour, provides one of the prettiest backdrops for those perfect social media photos. This quaint harbour is located near the Norman Museum of Ethnography and Popular Arts.

The dock is lined with distinctive tall, narrow, timber-framed and slate-clad townhouses built from the 16th to 18th century. At night, the lights from these houses are reflected in the water, transforming the harbour into a majestic wonderland. During the day, you can enjoy a picnic on the stone steps while watching the hustle and bustle in the harbour.

A technological feat completed after over 10 million working hours, the Normandy Bridge is a source of pride for the region. It was hailed as the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world when it opened in 1995. It spans the Seine between Honfleur and Le Havre. It also provides panoramic views along the estuary.

While it was designed to carry a toll road for cars, there are special paths where people can walk or cycle for free. The Normandy Bridge offers impressive architectural views so remember to look up as you cross it.

St Catherine's Catholic Church is the largest wooden church in France. It’s believed to have been made by shipwrights to replace a stone church that was destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War. This stunning edifice showcases the town’s resourcefulness, craftsmanship and creativity.

With wood from the Touques forest as the only available material at that time, the builders used their naval construction skills to make the entire church out of wood. Since its creation in the 15th century, the church has evolved into one of the main attractions in Honfleur.

Touted as the Guardian of the Vieux Bassin, the imposing La Lieutenance stands watch over the harbour. As a remnant of a 16^th-century castle, La Lieutenance adds to the city’s charm. It served as the home of the king’s lieutenant and is the last bastion of medieval Honfleur.

While it has undergone several restorations already, La Lieutenance still embodies 16^th- to 18^th-century architecture. Two distinct buildings form the entire brick-and-stone structure: a stone basement built around a corridor and the apartments of the Lieutenant of the King.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Grace sits on a high hill above the city of Honfleur. This 17th-century chapel was built on the spot where pilgrims used to offer gratitude to God for keeping them safe during natural disasters. Even the Duke of Normandy, Richard II, came here to offer thanks when he narrowly escaped a storm in the early 11th century.

Ship models, plaques, and paintings adorn the church and provide a testament of gratitude from visitors. The area surrounding the chapel offers spectacular views over Honfleur, the Seine estuary, Le Havre, and the Pont de Normandie.

Located just a short walk northwest of Vieux Bassin, the red-timbered Maisons Satie (Satie Houses) was the birth home of composer Erik Satie and is now a museum. A giant pear with wings greets you and hints at the whimsical experience you’re bound to have as you go through the museum.

Satie’s work includes collaborations with various artists, like with Surrealists Picasso and Jean Cocteau. You’re going to see much of their influences in Maisons Satie. The audio-guided scenographic tour encourages you to do various activities that make you see art and classical music in a whole new light.

Pretty wooden horses and rustic decorations take you back in time when you go for a ride on the Carrousel de Honfleur vintage carousel. It’s usually set up just within sight of Honfleur’s town hall. There are plenty of benches surrounding the area, so you can take a rest and enjoy the sights and sounds that the attraction brings.

Plenty of patrons look forward to its annual setup. Adults and children alike can enjoy this 2-decked carousel in Honfleur from May to October. However, you’re bound to miss it during winter as it undergoes its annual maintenance.

Eugène Boudin Museum houses paintings of Normandy by celebrated artists such as Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin himself. Boudin is believed to have introduced the young Monet to the beautiful towns and harbours of Normandy.

The museum is also home to drawings, paintings and fine religious pieces which were bequeathed by Eugène Boudin to Honfleur, the town of his birth. With over 2,500 art pieces from the 19th and 20th century, Musée Eugène Boudin can definitely give you a taste of the fine arts.

Enjoy a first-class meal featuring Honfleur’s gastronomic delights, including the freshest seafood, artisanal cold cuts and excellent cheeses made from the milk of Normandy cows. For those looking for refined gourmet food, reserve a table in one of the superb fine-dining restaurants in the city.

Splurge on SaQuaNa’s gastronomic fusion of traditional cuisine and modern cooking techniques. This restaurant is known for its excellent cuisine and impeccable service. For freshly caught and exquisitely prepared fish, book a table at Au P’tit Mareyeur. For traditional bouillabaisse, delectable gazpacho soup and the freshest seafood, reserve a table at La Lieutenance.

Butin Beach (Plage du Butin) is an estuary beach that provides a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The beach is well-equipped with showers, cabins and other equipment that makes for a comfortable holiday. It also features a playground, providing an ideal spot for young kids to play and enjoy themselves when they need a break from the salty waters.

The best time to visit and get the most out of your experience at Butin Beach is from April to October. During this period, the beach transforms into a lively spot with inflatable playgrounds and straw huts lining the sandy stretch.