Honfleur, France is a fantastic harbour city to stop and check out if your in the Normandy region of France. While we stopped at Etrétat to see the white cliffs on the drive down, we stopped at Honfleur on the drive back home. It’s worth spending an hour or so to check out this neat harbour city and it’s beautiful port, make sure you get to the overlook point for the best views!
If you park in the central parking at Parking Du Bassin your just a 1 minute walk from the tourist office. There you’ll find a restroom as well as a free map of the city.
The Vieux-Bassin aka the old dock is worth checking out. If your using Rick Steve’s book he has some great info for the area. Here you’ll find the amazing old harbour at the center of the port, which is surrounded with half-timbered houses flanking 3 sides. There are lots of shops and restaurants in this area as well.
La Lieutenant is the old gate house and you can walk under it’s arched walkway to the shops.
La Lieutenant archway
St. Catherine’s church is worth checking out as it is made by ship-makers and built fully out of wood, a unique church for sure. It is free to visit the church and only takes 10 minutes or so to walk around.
You can see the huge wood beams on the ceiling, a bomb also fell through it during the last few months of WWII but luckily it did not explode.
View of the organ area.
This massive church had to take a LOT of wood to build!
You can also visit the bell tower to see the museum, there is a fee for this but we chose not to do it.
Strolling along the streets you’ll find some interesting sights, I loved this old bicycle leaning against the building.
Half timbered houses of all sizes and widths can be found along the streets.
And of course we had to stop to check out the caramels, so many flavors and colors!
Overlooking the harbour high upon a hill you will find Notre Dame De Grâce Chapel, which is from the 17th century and where pilgrims have been known to visit to thank God for their safe passage. The parking is free and it’s free to visit the church.
The inside is gorgeous with a nautical theme!
Make sure you don’t miss model boats and stained glass with a boat scene.
There is also an overlook point by the church but it overlooks the industrial area, which really is not all that ‘pretty.’ You can see Pont De Nomandie from here which is the huge toll bridge.
If you turn left on the road just past the church and drive down you’ll see an overlook area to the right at Mont Jolie. This is the must see overlook area that gives a great view of the area.
This was great stop on the drive home, it provided some stretching our legs time as well as some interesting sights!
Know Before You Go
What: Honfleur, France – Fantastic Harbour City
How To Get There: It’s about 5 hours 25 mins from Spangdahlem, and 5 hours 45 mins from Ramstein. GPS addy: Bassin du Centre Quai Lepaulmier 14600 Honfleur
Parking: Parking is easiest in the paid parking areas like Parking Du Bassin (addy above). It’s around €2/hour there.
Cost: Free to walk around the city, bring Euro for food, shopping, and if you want to do any paid sights.
Traveling with little kids: It’s a city and walkplatz area so strollers are OK, know that some of the sidewalks are very narrow. I’m not sure if the strollers are allowed in the churches.
How long: Plan on at least 1 hour, more if you plan to eat in the area or want to visit the museums.
The churches are beautiful! Honfleur was also used as a launching port during the Wars of the Roses.
Wow, did not know that about the War of Roses, great info!