Best Things To Do In Honfleur, France

Explore the enchanting coastal town of Honfleur, where history and artistry blend seamlessly with the picturesque scenery. In this blog post, we’ll uncover Honfleur’s best things to do, from strolling along its charming harbour to savouring delectable cuisine from Normandy and discovering its rich maritime heritage.

Honfleur has something special to offer, whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape from Paris. So, let’s embark on a journey to uncover the hidden gems and must-see attractions in this captivating Normandy gem.

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How To Spend A Week End In Honfleur

Best Things To Do In Honfleur

For the first weekend of July, my friends and I went to Honfleur, in the North of France in Normandy.
The initial plan was to do Deauville – which is more famous, at least if you’re French or familiar with our locations.

But Deauville was more expensive. So, as broke students, we opted for the cheaper yet attractive option.

While me and my friends opted for the cheapest option, don’t worry, if you’re not into backpacking, there are plenty of options to get a nice hotel in Honfleur with all the comfort that you need!

And honestly, Honfleur was very pleasant and chill, so let me walk you through my 48 hours in Honfleur!

What Is Honfleur Famous For?

Honfleur is renowned for its picturesque harbour, inspiring generations of artists, including Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin, to name the most famous two.

This charming Normandy town is famous for its vibrant art scene, quaint cobblestone streets lined with beautiful half-timbered houses, and its historic Sainte-Catherine Church, the largest wooden church in France.

Honfleur’s maritime heritage is evident throughout, with bustling waterfront cafes, seafood markets, and maritime museums showcasing its seafaring past. Its allure lies in its timeless beauty, making Honfleur a beloved destination for travellers seeking authentic French culture and scenic landscapes along the banks of the Seine estuary.

Stroll Along Honfleur’s Harbour – Vieux Bassin

Most souvenir shops and restaurants are located in this area, so you will find happiness there if you want to buy cider, biscuits, or even a nice yellow raincoat.
Eating ice cream, strolling around, soaking in the atmosphere, or enjoying the view is also pretty nice.

Also, how lovely are those buildings? They can easily turn your photos into beautiful postcards.

Get On the Ferris Wheel

The view up there is pretty amazing. You can look over the city and the port much further if you pay attention, but it goes pretty fast, much faster than I expected!

The big wheel cost 5€ and did five rounds, so it’s 1€ per round.

However, I believe getting a nice shot up there is possible.
Sadly, I didn’t get any good shot because it went around quickly, and I wasn’t ready ahah. I spent most of the ride hoping my hat wouldn’t fall and holding onto it for dear life. How fun.
There’s also a merry-go-round next to the port.

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Take A Dip At Butin Beach

The beach is located about a 10/15 min walk from the port. You can also see this walk called “Personalities Garden” in the park, but I will talk to you about this in a bit!

Also, you can view the “Normandy Bridge”, one of Europe’s longest bridges! Yep, it’s that very teeny tiny bridge you see from a distance in the picture below!

While the weather turned out to be okay, it was way too cold actually to get in; besides, I’m afraid to get in the water, and whilst it was a lovely beach, the water is not crystal clear there sadly, if you are looking for crystal clear water and beautiful white sand beaches in France then you’re best to look up south of France destination!

If you want to visit Honfleur and enjoy the sea, I recommend visiting between June and August as the temperatures are the highest then.

The beach is luxurious with vegetation; it almost gives this feeling as if you’re on an island, which was accentuated on our visit as there were only a few people there. 

Looking at this lush scenery, you wouldn’t think there’s an actual city not even 10 minutes away!
Although it was the beginning of July when we went there, it wasn’t crowded; I believe people go to Honfleur mostly to visit the city and not really to the beach, but the weather probably wasn’t helping either!

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Visit The “Jardin Des Personnalités”

Let’s move on to some more cultural and history-related bits to Honfleur!
Many famous artists, writers, painters and poets contributed significantly to Honfleur’s development and history. It’s a little like Giverny with Monet as it is a very art-oriented town. 

As I wrote above, this garden – “Garden of Personalities” or in French “Jardin Des personnalités” can be found on the sidewalk that leads to Butin Beach.

You can do this before or after you stroll on the beach and relax there. 

Honestly, it’s a must-see! The design of the plants, flowers and statues are altogether really stylish and elegant. In most personalities, you can find some writers and poets who contributed to the city or wrote about it at some point in their careers.

Explore Some of The Many Art Galeries of Honfleur

Honfleur was where many artists met through the years so that you can find many art galleries all over the city. So, if you’re looking for paintings, sculptures, and some old furniture, you may find happiness there. The town has this quaint vibe it’s impossible not to like.

If you’re into art, check out another tremendous French town full of art and history, Giverny, where the famous painter Monet lived and where you can visit his house. Check out everything you need to know for a day trip to Giverny.

Learn New Things At the Maritime Museum

Discover Maritime History and learn about Honfleur’s maritime history at the Maritime Museum.

Discover exhibits detailing the town’s seafaring past, including its major port role and connections to exploration and trade. It’s always fun to learn more about the places you visit and their history; it gives you a better understanding of the place.

Visit Sainte-Catherine Church

Sainte-Catherine Church in Honfleur is a remarkable architectural gem nestled in the heart of this charming Normandy town. Built entirely of wood in the 15th century by local shipbuilders, it stands as a testament to the maritime history and craftsmanship of the region.

With its distinct twin-towered façade and awe-inspiring vaulted ceiling resembling an upside-down ship’s hull, Sainte-Catherine Church offers visitors a unique glimpse into medieval architecture and Norman heritage. Explore its intricate interior, admire the towering spires, and soak in the serene atmosphere of this historic landmark, which remains a beloved symbol of Honfleur’s rich cultural legacy

Where we stayed in Honfleur:
B&B Hotel –The establishment has just been renovated, so it was still a little dusty from the construction, but the room we stayed in was nice and cosy for four people. It’s not right in Honfleur, but a bit further.

It’s also not the best to access by foot, but it’s not impossible if you don’t mind walking on the sidewalk.
Also, despite being called a bed & breakfast hotel, you must pay 6€ to get the breakfast buffet. We paid for it, and it was decent, although a bit pricey for what it is.

It’s a lovely destination for a romantic gateway, a weekend with a friend or a family holiday. Also very accessible for foreigners from England, the Netherlands or Germany. It ticks all the boxes.

Also, Honfleur hosts many events throughout the year; from the Honfleur Jazz Festival to the Christmas Market, there’s always something happening in this vibrant town. So, make sure to check out what’s going on when you visit this French harbour town.

You can visit it in a day and move to Deauville or anywhere in Normandy by car.
Mt. St. Michel isn’t far from it; however, it’s pretty busy during summertime, so you might want to visit Mont Saint Michel in winter if you avoid the crowd.

Spending a weekend in Honfleur leaves you enough time to relax and explore the area and its central spot without rushing.
So, I’d recommend Honfleur as a getaway if you’re looking at some places to visit in France!

If you’re looking for more destination ideas from the capital, make sure to check out all these good day trips you can take by train from Paris.

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If you’d like to check out different accommodations in Honfleur, check out Booking.com

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More activities to do in Normandy around Honfleur to check out from GetYourGuide.

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Best Things To Do In Honfleur: Travel Guide, France

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✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip

✈ How To Find Flights?

– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flights is also a good help when comparing flights.

✈ Where To Book Accommodations?

– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discounts the more you book.

✈ Best Sites To Book Activities

– GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website or different day trips—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).

✈ Other helpful travel resources

– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe.

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