Honfleur is one of the most charming destinations in Europe. This small seaside town is located in the northwest section of France, the Normandy region. It is one of the best places for you to enjoy merely wandering the streets or sipping wine by the harbor. Honfleur is an old port town that dates back to the 12th century. It was from this port that the famous explorer, Samuel de Champlain, headed off to found the Canadian city of Quebec.
A perfect day in Honfleur is simply strolling through the cobbled alleys admiring the half-timbered homes and wooden churches or wandering among the Vieux Bassin (harbor) to enjoy the old fishing boats and picturesque houses. All the sites and museums are all within walking distance. So don’t rush, enjoy your walk around this charming seaside town.
Here is our guide for visiting Honfleur.
WHERE TO STAY
This apartment is located in the heart of the historic center of Honfleur, close to the market place and the Church of St. Catherine and sheltered from the hectic tourist areas. The flat was passed down from an old fisherman but has been completely restored and decorated with a contemporary and refined rustic look. The location is excellent because its in the middle of the town and close proximity to many cafes, restaurants and art galleries.
$84 per night
Studio apartment for 2 guests
1 bed / 1 bath
WHERE TO EAT
This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is run by Japan trained, French chef Alexandre Bourdas. The name of this famous Normandy restaurant is a play on words. Sakana meaning fish in Japanese, so he mixed the French words in SAveur (flavor), QUalité (quality) and NAture to come up with SaQuaNa.
Honfleur is known for being a fishing village but what makes this restaurant unique is it brings elements of the Far East to incredibly fresh, locally sourced ingredients. His Michelin stars are well-deserved because here you will find contemporary dishes full of savory flavors and artful plating that will sure to leave a lasting impression.
WHERE TO GET COFFEE
La Petite Chine
La Petite Chine is a cozy French cafe and tea shop located on the harbor. This cafe is tiny in space but makes up for it in flavors. The menu is full of great breakfast options like crepes, quiches, and eggs any way you like. What draws visitors to La Petite Chine is their pastries. You can’t go wrong with their scones, crumble cakes, and tarts.
Address: 14 Rue du Dauphin, 14600 Honfleur, France
Open 9:30am to 6:30pm daily
WHERE TO SHOP
Calvados Shops
Normandy is famous for its Calvados and Pommeau which are alcoholic drinks that are fermented from apples then distilled in aged oak casks. Calvados is essentially an apple brandy that can be enjoyed as an aperitif or as a digestif, either during your meal or after to help aid with the digestion process. Some people recommend drinking this liqueur in between courses to reset palettes.
Honfleur has several shops selling these drinks so make sure to pick up some to share with friends back home. Cave Normande or Compagnie des Calvados de la Cave Honfleuraise are great options for purchasing this ideal Normandy souvenir.
WHAT TO DO
Walking Around and Sightseeing
Honfleur is a great weekend getaway trip. There is no pressure of having to see or do a hundred things in a short period of time. One or two days is enough to discover the city, and it’s hidden gems. It is pleasant knowing you can enjoy your day by just aimlessly walking the historical streets and making stops at local landmarks, stores, or parks, and museums on your own time.
Here is a map with highlights including sites, museums, parks, and leisure activities.* Save this PDF to your mobile device so you can access it without WiFi
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