Description: Honfleur is an old fishing port with a beautiful harbour. The old town is outstanding with cobbled streets sporting shops, art galleries and and so many restaurants that on a recent visit we lost count. Whilst those on the harbour front offer the best views, the best value may be found at restaurants away from the quayside in the little streets behind the Quai Sainte- Catherine like La Tortue, 36 rue de l’Homme de Bois.

Location: Honfleur is located on the mouth of the river Seine, to the south of Le Havre.

Website: http://www.ville-honfleur.com/ (French only)

Our recommendations: Honfleur is a good place for people watching – check out the cafes and fish restaurants on the harbour front from where you can watch the pleasure craft coming and going. For a different view of the town head along one of the minor roads to the south where you can also see the impressive suspension bridge over to Le Havre – the largest in Europe (€5 each way if you want to try driving across it).

For the children: There are some lovely gardens by the waterfront with a children’s play area and paddling pools open in the summer months. Our children enjoyed watching the swing bridge into the harbour in action. There is also a beach here and Naturospace is an easy walk to the west from the town centre. You can walk most of the way through the park or heading along the road (the boulevard Charles V) takes you past the unusual and very quirky Museum ‘La Maison Erik Satie’ devoted to the life and times of Erik Satie the famous composer. Older children will enjoy some of the ‘oddities’ on display.

 

Here’s more information to make the most of your visit to Normandy: