Pastel-painted townhouses and colorful fishing boats jostle for space along Honfleur's Vieux Bassin, the postcard star of Normandy's Côte Fleurie (Flower Coast). Picturesque viewpoints abound throughout the Old Town, where the cobblestone lanes and half-timbered buildings harbor terrace cafés, chic restaurants, and art galleries which mark the town's Impressionist legacy—exploring the area is one of the top things to do in Honfleur. Perched at the mouth of the Seine River, Honfleur is also often the first stop for cruise visitors arriving at neighboring Le Havre, a scenic drive across the landmark Pont de Normandy bridge.
The Sailors Festival, which began in 1861, encapsulates Honfleur’s history. Rather than carnival floats, it’s boats that are gaudily decorated for this parade held on the last weekend of May. It begins with a church service, where attendees pay homage to those lost at sea. Then the parades, hymns, and celebrations with traditional music carry on for three days. Expect crowds—especially in July and August for the French summer holidays.
The two most pleasant ways to get around Honfleur are on foot—a walking tour is a great way to get your bearings—and by sea. For a novel experience, several companies run tours in vintage sidecars (often in conjunction with Deauville and Trouville). Cycling is another possibility, but ditch the bike in the old town, as many of the streets are cobbled and see lots of pedestrians.
In a pre-Instagram age, some of France’s most famous painters immortalized Honfleur. Stop at Musee Eugene Boudin to see famous 19th and 20th century paintings of the town (including by Monet and Courbet), and then compare it to the modern-day Honfleur. Granted, the town has evolved since Monet’s day and the sailing boats are a little different, but much of the original architecture remains and you might be surprised about how little it’s changed in 200 years.
