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Table of Contents:
 THE HARBOR.
NEARBY HONFLEUR.
OUTSIDE HONFLEUR.

The harbor is Honfleur's best recognized feature.
Honfleur France

Honfleur is lucky to have any architecture from pre-WWII due to its proximity to the English coast and Le Havre.

Luckily, the town lost its importance as a port just before the World Wars. This took it off the bomber’s radar.

Gothic cathedrals, half-timber houses, and subjects of the grand Impressionists still stand. There are a few Belle Epoche jewels remaining, and you may see a little dash of French Art Nouveau.

Honfleur has a large number of half-timber structures due to minor war damage.
Half-timber houses and buildings are popular in Northern France.

The town is a great day trip from nearby Le Havre. Rouen is approximately an hour east and Caen an hours drive west. It makes a great addition to those destinations.

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See Honfleur’s Harbor.

The harbor has been the subject of painters for more than 100 years. The simplicity of the buildings and the small boats bobbing on the tide just capture the imagination.

The farmers market is usually on Saturday.
The harbor is Honfleur’s central square. The locals gather here.

 

It adds a special joy to the atmosphere.
The carousel appears every summer.

 

As a supply port for France, the city's security was important.
Remnants of the city’s walls and one of the gates.

 

Both hte museum and the building are interesting.
Once a church, now it houses the maritime museum.

 

Here see furnishings and textiles from the 18th century and more,
The Musée d’Ethnographie is next door to the maritime museum.

 

The streets surrounding the harbor are pedestrian. But while you are walking, see some of the highlights a block off the harbor.

The construction, especially the interior roof, is impressive.
Saint Catherine’s church is a block off the harbor.

 

It now houses part of the local museum.
The church bell tower is separate for fire safety.

 

The bric-a-brac of architecture is interesting.
And more half-timber buildings.

Feel the magic of the area and take in the light as so many artists have before you.

Honfleur has numerous paintings of itself.
The reflection in the harbor resembles an Impressionistic painting.

 

You will see Honfleur has numerous buildings of different shapes and sizes. Remember, they are all walk-ups. There are no elevators in buildings this old.

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See Honfleur Beyond the Harbor.

Walking further from the harbor has additional treasures. The great thing about Honfleur is much of the town is walkable.

But this is not Disney, these are real buildings.
Around another corner, there’s another half-timber building.

 

The church is known for its wild facade.
Saint-Leonard church anchors the neighborhood with the same name.

 

Honfleur is a wonderful treasure chest.
The lighthouse from the 1800s

 

In old days, the French would bring sunny places to them.
Naturospace, an equatorial space in northern France.

 

Many explorers pray here before setting off.
La Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grace.

 

Both the house and the exhibits are eye opening.
Get a taste of architecture and music at the Erik Satie house museum.

Although the last few may require a car to reach, Honfleur is still an easy day trip. It can certainly fill an overnight as well.

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See Honfleur Impressionism.

The School of French Impressionism began in Le Havre. Honfleur is the home to the Impressionist School of Honfleur. See some of the sites that were their muses.

Impressionism, imagination, its a wonderful plkace to visit.
Normandy is a land of Impressions. Squint your eyes.

Check out the Musée Eugène-Boudin de Honfleur

The nearby Normandy coast, fishing villages, and the medieval town of Honfleur have also been the subjects of many artists.

Outside Honfleur

There are several towns nearby, waiting for you to discover.

Near the Calvados trail and less than an hour from Honfleur.
Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet.

 

They are less than an hour apart.
Caen and Honfleur go together.

 

There is more than a day of sites to see.
In Rouen, where do you start?

 

Many stately cottages from the early 1900s are still standing.
Deauville, just down the coast is a charming seaside escape.

 

Even though Honfleur is, for most, just a day trip, it has many interesting neighbors. It is a must-see when exploring Normandy. If you have time, stay for dinner. It is charming at night as well.

By 4:00 PM most tour buses are gone and the locals come out.
The sun is setting and a peace comes over the town.

Come see Honfleur.

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