If you’re visiting Normandy in France, Honfleur is one of those towns that should definitely be on your itinerary.
We spent a day here during our Normandy road trip, and we’re showing you exactly how we did it. The best places to walk around, a bit of the history, and where we ate some delicious galettes.
What to expect to learn form this post:
- Where Honfleur is located and a little bit about the history
- The best things to see and do if you only have one day
- Where you can have delicious galettes with local ingredients
- Nearby towns that are a must-visit
- Where to stay if you are based in Honfleur
Location and history
First of all, Honfleur is a city in the department of Calvados, in northern France’s Normandy region. It sits where the Seine River meets the English Channel, the stretch of sea that separates England and France.
Some interesting things to note about Honfleur’s history is that it was an important harbor from the Middle Ages. Ships left from here for trade and exploration. And hundreds of years later, in the early 1600s, French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed from Honfleur and later founded Quebec City.
In the 1800s, many artists came here to paint the harbor and the light. Painters like Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin helped inspire the Impressionism movement which is deeply linked to the region of Normandy.
What to do in Honfleur in a day
Honfleur is a small town, so you can see quite a bit in a day.
Vieux Bassin « Old Port »
The main place you’ll probably start is the Vieux Bassin, which is the old harbor right in the center of town. It’s lined with tall, narrow houses that date back several centuries, and today most of them are restaurants, cafés, and little shops. This is really the heart of Honfleur, and it’s where you’ll get those classic views of the harbor with the colorful buildings reflected in the water.
Church of Sainte-Catherine
From there we walked over to Church of Sainte-Catherine, which is one of the most unusual churches in Normandy. It was built in the 15th century by local shipbuilders using wood, and if you look up inside, the ceiling is designed to look like the hull of an upside-down boat. The bell tower is actually separate from the church across the square, which was done to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
The best museums to visit in Honfleur
Honfleur also has quite a few museums. We didn’t go inside any during this visit, but if you have more time, there are several that are worth checking out.
Musée Eugène Boudin
The Musée Eugène Boudin focuses on the impressionist painter Eugène Boudin, who was born in Honfleur and is known for his coastal landscapes and harbor scenes. The museum also has works by other artists connected to the region, including some Impressionist painters like Claude Monet, who were inspired by this coastline.
Musée de la Marine
Another one is the Musée de la Marine, located inside a former church. This museum looks at Honfleur’s long nautical history, with model ships, navigation instruments, and exhibits about the town’s role as an important port in past centuries.
Musée du Vieux Honfleur
You can also visit the Musée du Vieux Honfleur very close by, which focuses on the town itself. Inside you’ll find objects, old photos, and displays that show what daily life in Honfleur was like over the years dating back to the pre-industrial era.
Jardin des Personnalités
A peaceful seaside park with statues of famous people connected to Normandy like Claude Monet and Erik Satie. It’s a great place for a short walk near the beach and away from the crowds in the harbor.
It’s also just a nice place for a quiet walk by the water. The park is right along the coast, with open green spaces, a lily pond, trees, and views toward the Seine estuary. It feels a lot calmer than the busy harbor area, so it’s a good spot if you want a short break from the crowds while still staying close to town.
It is especially recommended to visit during Spring.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Grâce
A small 17th-century chapel on the hill above town. Inside you’ll see model ships and plaques left by sailors giving thanks after surviving storms.
The nearby viewpoint on Mont-Joli has one of the best panoramas over Honfleur and the Seine estuary.
What and where to eat
Galettes & Crêpes
Galettes are a type of savoury crêpe made with buckwheat flour. They come from nearby Brittany, but because Normandy is right next door, they’re very common here too. Instead of sweet fillings like regular crêpes, galettes are usually filled with things like cheese, ham, eggs, or other local ingredients.
In one of the little side streets close to the Vieux Bassin, we tried a small spot called J’en Crêpe d’Envie. We got a table right by the window and ordered a couple of galettes.
The one we’d highly recommend is the Galette Généreuse. It’s topped with ingredients that are very typical in Normandy. Apple, which makes sense since Normandy is famous for its apple production and apple cider. Creamy Camembert (which if you didn’t know comes from Normandy). And Vire sausage, a delicious smoked sausage from the town of Vire. It was really good!
We also ordered a couple of sweet crêpes for dessert, which were also very delicious. And the service here was excellent, which made the whole experience even better.
Ice cream by the port
Another nice thing to do is simply grab an ice cream to go and walk around the harbor while watching the boats come in and out of the Vieux Bassin. It’s a simple activity, but it’s a great way to enjoy the atmosphere here.
We got our ice cream from one place nearby and it was just okay, but afterwards we did a bit more research and found another spot that looks much better: L’Aristocloche, which is known for its homemade ice cream and seems to get really great reviews. If we went back, that’s probably where we’d go.
Oysters in Normandy
Oysters are extremely typical in Normandy, and in Honfleur you can actually eat them right on the water. There’s a small oyster bar set up on a fishing boat where you can get 6 oysters and a glass of wine for about 12€. It’s a really simple but fun experience right by the port.
Just keep in mind you can’t make reservations, and it’s not open all year. They only open during oyster season, which is actually a good sign because it means they’re respecting the natural harvesting season and the oysters are fresh.
Nearby places to visit
If you’re staying in Honfleur, there are a few nearby towns we’d definitely suggest visiting as well. First is Étretat. It’s famous for its dramatic white cliffs and natural rock arches along the coast. We actually made a whole video about it where we explain why it’s really worth spending the day there, plus we share a few other foods you should try while you’re in Normandy.
Another great stop is the port city of Caen, which is the capital of the Calvados department in Normandy. One of the main things to see there is Caen Castle, a huge medieval fortress built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century that you can still walk around today.
The other big site is the Abbaye aux Hommes, a beautiful abbey also founded by William the Conqueror, where his tomb is located. It’s one of the most important historic landmarks in the city.
Planning a Normandy road trip can take a lot of work, so read all about our Normandy Road Trip next where we’ve already done the planning for you. All the towns we visited, plus what we did and ate along the way.
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