"nice beautiful port city of many painters" Honfleur by gwened

Honfleur Travel Guide: 106 reviews and 351 photos

A city where boats and painters mingle

just the second most visited place in Normandy before Mont Saint MIchel
just lovely with more painters museum per sq km than Paris.
lovely harbor.

A bit of history on this personal wonderful town;
Honfleur (known as Honnefleu, of viking origin) it is mentioned in books since 1027AD where it is shown as one of the most important cities of the dukedom of Normandy. A wonderful harbor and sea front gives her prominance in the defense of the river banks and the depart of great sea adventures.

It was a fortified town from the 15C by king Charles V, and play an important role in the war against the English during the 100 years war; as well as discoveries expeditions by Samuel de Champlain in 1608,that gave rise to the foundation of Québec, Canada. The mariners here are one of the best in the dukedom of Normandy. By the 17-18C they increase the trade between the Canada, Caribbean and African coast to the Azores. In the 19C it became an artistic center with the likes of Eugène Boudin, a native son, who surrounded himself with the likes of Dubourg, Monet, Jongkind, and Baudelaire, etc.

Its a town over 1000 years old, and still young at heart. It is my favorite place in Normandy. It should be yours too.

from mont jolie look over pont de normandie

the most beautiful view of the town,the harbor the pont de normandie and across to Le Havre. Just wonderful.

harbor by bassin Sainte Catherine

just lovely and plenty of restos all around it

Pros and Cons

Pros:boats, painters, and quaint
Cons:nothing
In a nutshell:More than just painters, a feel of warm sea breezes even in winter

Last visit to Honfleur: May 2013
Intro Updated May 21, 2013
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Reviews (10)

Drive the Pont de Normandie Off The Beaten Path (4)

a thrill for car buffs like me, drive back and forth the pont de normandie, this time I took pictures on a rainy day,... more travel advice

cruising waiting in bassin de l est - Honfleur

Cruises up the Seine to Paris Off The Beaten Path (4)

yes absolutely wonderful cruise taken already from my fab place of Honfleur. the outfit is CroisiEurope,and the boat is... more travel advice

Passionnément Jardin or Passionate about... Off The Beaten Path (4)

Another wonderful event not to be missed if in the area and one my wife especially enjoys, its the garden event yearly... more travel advice

virgen on the quai sainte catherine - Honfleur

Fête des Marins Off The Beaten Path (4)

or mariners festival, is in May but the days may change check the site , one not to missed if in the area, or better... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
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Things to Do (2)
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Favorites (1)
My mom resting place
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Comments (5)

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gwened Yesterday

even in the rain Honfleur is nice, and the boats went out lol!!! pictures later on
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gwened May 15, 2013 at 6:00 AM

I can't wait to be back in one of my favorites in France, Fête des Marins,the 152nd of it this coming weekend. And I will be in a boat lol!!!
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XenoHumph May 7, 2013 at 5:58 PM

Nice page on a lovely area!
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  gwened May 8, 2013 at 9:58 AM
  
  thanks yes indeed, is one of my favorites here in France,and back next for the fête des marins.
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gwened May 4, 2013 at 6:00 AM

I will be back this month fête des marins lol! 152nd one!!!!
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TheWanderingCamel May 6, 2012 at 7:59 AM

Another favourite holiday spot of ours. Last there about five years ago, nice to see it hadn't changed too much .. Apart from more people, but it's like that everywhere these days.