Honfleur sits a mere thirty-minute drive from Trouville & Deauville, offering a completely different atmosphere. While Trouville is a true seaside resort with a fish market and belle-époque charm, Honfleur is a harbor town that has preserved its history with care. The wooden church, the tall narrow harbor houses, and the winding streets. It has always attracted artists, from Monet to Boudin, and you’ll see why at first glance. Here are the sights in Honfleur I recommend, plus where to eat and stay.
What to Do in Honfleur: The Highlights
Le Vieux Bassin: The Harbor That Holds It All Together
The 17th-century quays, tall narrow facades, and boats in the basin: this is the Honfleur you've seen in pictures, and fortunately, the real thing still captivates. Walk through in the early morning before the buses arrive, and you'll have it almost to yourself. It gets busier later, but the ambiance endures.
Église Sainte-Catherine: France's Largest Wooden Church
A church built by shipbuilders, and you can tell. The vault inside resembles an inverted hull. The Église Sainte-Catherine is the largest timber-frame church in France, located in a square that's been a marketplace for centuries. The bell tower stands apart from the main building, a deliberate choice to reduce fire risk.
The Saturday and Wednesday Market at Place Sainte-Catherine
On Saturday mornings, the square around the church fills with stalls: fresh vegetables, cheese, fish, and local produce. On Wednesday, there's an organic market on the same square. For weekend visitors, there's also a fish market in the harbor from Thursday to Sunday, but only open in the mornings.
Musée Eugène Boudin: Impressionism by the Sea
Honfleur is the birthplace of Eugène Boudin, the painter who taught Monet to paint outdoors. The museum offers a good view of how the Normandy coast inspired artists long before tourism arrived. Not a large museum, but a fine one. Read more here.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grâce: Views Over the Town
On the hill above Honfleur stands a 17th-century chapel with panoramic views over the Seine estuary, the Pont de Normandie, and the surrounding landscape. The climb is worth it, weather permitting.
La Lieutenance and the Greniers à Sel
At the entrance of the Vieux Bassin stands La Lieutenance, the oldest building in town and once part of the medieval town walls. Nearby are the Greniers à Sel, two 17th-century salt warehouses with stone vaults now used for cultural events.
Want to explore Honfleur with a guide? It can be a lot of fun. This tour covers it all, while you cycle through the historic center and along the coast on an e-bike.
Dining in Honfleur: My Restaurant Tips
Restaurant La Fleur de Sel is the spot for serious dining in Honfleur. A cozy space, a warm atmosphere, and a chef who has been reimagining Normandy classics for over twenty years. I enjoyed delightful small shellfish; the menu features refined dishes like carpaccio de poulpe and tataki de boeuf. Reserve in advance. You can also stay here.
Restaurant Côte Resto has a terrace in the center and is known for its extensive seafood platters. Plenty of choices and a children's menu, more common in France than elsewhere. A great spot for a family lunch or an elaborate evening meal.
SaQuaNa is the restaurant of a former two-star chef who completely revamped his concept. The result is a restaurant-bakery with Japanese influences, open from early morning to late at night with surprisingly reasonable prices for the quality offered. The dishes are beautiful, and the fresh bakery next door is an extra reason to visit.
La Droguerie 1904 is right by the main basin of the harbor. The menu revolves around seafood. It's a small place, so reservations are advisable during the high season. This bistro has a maritime ambiance and a modern interior. I enjoyed delicious oysters here.
Restaurant Le Vieux Honfleur is one of the oldest restaurants by the harbor and is known for its classic platter of seafood. Crab, oysters, shrimp, and whelks on one plate, with a view of the basin. Perfect for an elaborate lunch if you want to experience Normandic cuisine authentically. With a delightful terrace.
Laurence Salon de Thé is a restaurant-tearoom-brocante in one of the narrowest streets near the harbor. It’s filled with antiques, Laurence is friendly, and the food is lovingly prepared. A short menu with daily dishes, and a dessert buffet at the end of the meal. I had a delicious raspberry meringue. Ideal for lunch, as it closes at 5 PM.
Staying in Honfleur: Hotels for Every Atmosphere
Saint-Delis Hôtel & Spa is perfect for those who want to sleep right in the center of Honfleur and make it a special experience. A Relais & Châteaux hotel with only nine rooms, each with its own hammam. Adults-only, with no restaurant on-site, but within the Saint-Siméon Collection, there are several excellent restaurants within walking distance, including the gastronomic Les Impressionnistes. This hotel is not the cheapest option.
Les Jardins de Coppélia is for those who prefer to sleep outside Honfleur, with more space and greenery. A 17th-century manor on the way to Deauville, with two restaurants, a spa, and a pool. The gourmet restaurant on the ground floor is worth a visit even without staying overnight. Price per night is around 200-250 Euros.
Domaine du Clos Fleuri Spa offers a romantic setting just outside the center, with sea views and a lavish breakfast. Prices are friendlier than the above options (100-150 p/n). A car is necessary, but it gives you the freedom to explore the surroundings.
Manoir de Surville Hotel & Spa is further into the Normandy countryside, about an hour's drive from Honfleur. But so charming it deserves a spot on this list. This manor with a gourmet restaurant, a spa, and a pool is also perfect for relaxation. Ideal for those seeking the combination of tranquility, good food, and Normandy landscape. Located 30km from Rouen.
Manoir du Petit Saint-Pierre is an elegant home in the greenery, just outside the town. This B&B does not offer evening dining. Breakfast is very well catered. The location is ideal for exploring the area.
La Maison de Lucie is an 18th-century house a hundred meters from the historic center. Elegant rooms and a hot tub for guests. Small and personal with a delicious breakfast. It features a lovely garden to relax in. The cheapest option on this list.
Combining Honfleur with Trouville and Deauville
Honfleur, Trouville, and Deauville are all within a thirty-minute drive of each other, making them perfect for a few days' visit to the Normandy coast. While Honfleur revolves around its old harbor and artist history, head to Trouville-sur-Mer for the beach, fish market, and belle-époque atmosphere. Deauville is another world: more glamorous, with horse racing and casinos. Three very different towns on a small stretch of coast.
Practical: How to Get to Honfleur
By car from Paris, Honfleur is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive via the A13 and the Pont de Normandie. From Trouville or Deauville, it’s less than a half-hour away. Parking is best in one of the lots on the outskirts of the center, after which everything is within walking distance.
By public transport, reaching Honfleur is trickier. There's no train station in the town itself. Buses do run from Caen or Le Havre to Honfleur, but it's more cumbersome than driving.
When to go? May, June, and September are ideal. Good weather, less crowded than in July and August, and the harbor is at its best in the low season.
Is Honfleur Worth Visiting?
Honfleur isn’t the place where you need three days to tick off a list of highlights. Far from it. Come for the old harbor, wander aimlessly through the streets, savor seafood, and stay a night to experience the center after day-trippers have left. Combine it with Trouville and you’ll capture two completely different facets of Normandy in a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honfleur Attractions
What are the must-see attractions in Honfleur?
Le Vieux Bassin, the Église Sainte-Catherine, and the Saturday market at the square are the three musts. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grâce on the hill offers the best views of the surroundings.
How much time do you need in Honfleur?
A half-day is enough to see the main attractions. It’s not large. Staying one night lets you enjoy the town in the evening and early morning, the best times to visit.
Is Honfleur worth it?
Yes. It’s touristy, but it has enough character to withstand that. The harbor, church, and markets have been the same for centuries, and you can feel it.
Can you combine Honfleur with Trouville?
Easily. They're thirty minutes apart, each offering a distinct character. Honfleur for the harbor and art, Trouville for the beach and fish market. More tips on Trouville can be found in my article on Trouville-sur-Mer.
