Honfleur is the Perfect Excursion

  On a recent visit to France, I found my happy place. Tucked away on the northern coast of France where the Seine River greets the English Channel, is the picturesque town of Honfleur. Its history has inspired artists for hundreds of years and coupled with the half-timbered houses, and cobbled-stoned streets, Honfleur is the authentic Normandy you encounter on your journey.

     The town’s old harbor, known as Le Vieux Bassin, is likened to an oil painting. The masts of fishing boats and sailboats sway gently, reflecting the water alongside the pastel-colored facades of the tall, narrow houses. The harbor, with its unique light and coastal beauty draws artists today as those well-known impressionists of the past, Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin. Do not miss the Eugene Boudin Museum which highlights the works inspired by the beauty of Honfleur.

Rich in history, France’s largest wooden church is an architectural wonder that was built in the fifteenth century.   Look up and notice the twin naves and the wooden belltower that resembles an overturned boat. It is a tribute to the shipbuilders that built the church. Take two steps to the right and you will see the stone fortress at the harbor’s edge, Lieutenance. Go inside the fortress to hear the stories of Honfleur’s role in early exploration, including voyages to Canada led by Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City in 1608.

   Famous for its fragrant camembert cheese, crisp apple cider, and the smooth liquor, Calvados, food lovers find the basics of Norman staples. The local restaurants make the most of these regional and seasonal delights with seafood as the star of the dish. Try the mussels in white wine sauce or the grilled fillet of sole, and the freshly harvested oysters. Sit in a quaint café with a bit of calvados or cider, and people watch. It is a grand way to spend the last moments of your free time.

    If you have more free time you wander up to the Jardin des Personnalites. This park is different as it has busts of famous figure linked to the history of Honfleur, from explores to artists to priests. Or a short drive away from the main harbor is the beach, Cote Fleurie, where golden sands meet the blue skies of Normandy. Take a photo of the carnival-colored umbrellas. It is much better than a postcard,

  Honfleur never leaves you. Whether you stopped to admire the artistic legacy, or to engage in history, or delight in the Norman flavors as you watched the world go by, little Honfleur never quite leaves your heart and mind.    It does beckon your return to a happy place.