I was so excited to be visiting the seaside port of Honfleur. Was it like the images that are on the internet, would it live up to my expectations?
Honfleur such a beautiful place. “Honfleur is a commune in the Calvados department in northwestern France. It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie. Its inhabitants are called Honfleurais.” –
Our first stop was the fish market, fresh fish caught early in the morning.
Anyone for a fish dinner
The famous “Greniers à sel” of Honfleur were built-in 1670 with stones from the city walls. They could store up to 10,000 tonnes of salt, which was then used to preserve cod for a longer time. There were 3 of these amazing warehouses, one was destroyed by fire in 1892. The salt trade developed at the end of the 16th century with cod fishing.Today these imposing buildings house exhibitions, concerts, conferences and many seminars and congresses throughout the year.
Well worth visiting.
The ceiling of one of the two salt storage’s
As we meandered through the cobblestone lane-ways with either side half-timber houses I realized that Honfleur had more than met my expectations and we hadn’t even got to the old seaside port.
Timber homes and business’s
Isn’t this just amazing!
Saint-Etienne church, below, the oldest church in Honfleur is now home to the Marine museum (Musee de la Marine de Honfleur)
Maritime Museum of Honfleur is now located in this church
The old port and the colorful homes
The old port is known as Le Vieux Bassin and was built-in 1681. Today it is one of the most sought after attractions. The 17th and 18th century homes and buildings surrounding the port are listed as historical monuments.
Of course what tour in France would be without some food or wine? We sampled some Calvados and I so wish I had purchased some to bring home. It was delicious!
Calvados and yes we had samples from nearly all of these.
One of many samples that day
Once we had sampled – oh ok drank the Calvados, our tour finished however we had an hour or two to do as we pleased. A few on our tour went and found a restaurant to try the local mussels. Muriel and I decided to wander around some more.
As we had passed the Saint Catherine’s Church (L’église Sainte-Catherine ) we saw lots of people in army gear and army vehicles. The church was having a service to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the war. Honfleur was the last of the towns in the Calvados area to be liberated. This was on the 25th August 1944. 73 years since the town was liberated.
The celebration of Honfleur’s liberation.
Saint Catherine’s Church was built entirely of wood from the nearby forest. It is the largest wooden church in France.
The exterior of Saint Catherine’s Church
The carousel of Honfleur
The carousel of Honfleur has been set up every year since 1995. From May to October it takes pride of place in front of the Town Hall and right by the old port. It’s so gorgeous with its wooden horses.
The old port now filled with modern yachts.
As we walked back to our meeting area we were privileged to see the locals in a parade to the memorial where they would lay wreaths in honor of those that lost their lives during the occupation in the first world war.
The celebration of the liberation of Honfleur
Celebrating the liberation of Honfleur
The battle of Normandy lasted nearly 3 months, longer than the Allied’s had allowed for. The liberators were welcomed everywhere in Normandy and tasted cider and calvados while the locals were able to have chocolate and tobacco once more.
The Memorial to the Liberation of Honfleur
The Liberation of Honfleur
I think I walked around in a daze as everywhere you turned there was something to take a photo of. Stunning flower displays, beautiful old architecture, and the one thing that would bring me back to France again and again, the people.
Of course more photos will be on the Instagram account of 3sistersabroad.
Travel and Lifestyle with Bree 
Just gorgeous! I love the parade shots, the jeeps are fantastic!
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they are…I must post more pictures on Instagram ..thank you for stopping by
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The teens were toddlers when we staying in Normandy and we never got to Honfleur, time to revisit!
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Yes it sure is time to go back xx Thank you for stopping by
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Wonderful. I have been to Honfleur a couple of times. We have friends who live in Caen so have visited both summer and winter. It’s a magical place with beauty and history and great food! The best cup of coffee I ever had in my life!
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I must remember the coffee for next time x
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I must remember the coffee for next time x Yes it is a magical place…thank you so much for stopping by
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I only stopped there briefly once on my way to the Loire Valley but just a walk along the harbour and a terrace lunch was enough to make me fall in love.
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Yes I don’t think one needs very long to fall in love with this beautiful village.
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What a beautiful town! Just one of the many reasons why France is one of my favourite countries. Plus, I LOVE Calvados! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us
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It certainly is beautiful. France is my favorite places to visit (would love to live there) and as for Calvados! yummy xx
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I didn’t even know this place existed, so thank you for sharing it. The pictures are amazing! I love those old buildings and the Calvados “tasting” sounds delicious!
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I had no idea this place even existed, so thank you for sharing it! The pictures look amazing and the Calvados “tasting” sounds delicious!
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The calvados was amazing. Yes “tasting” haha. Oh wow….well now you know it does put it on your list xx
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Honfleur looks so enchanting. I loved the colorful historical buildings facing the old harbor and the wooden church of St. Catherine. It’s definitely on my list of places to see.
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It is enchanting. I hope you do get there one day. thank you for stopping by…
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These are great images. I visited here about 20 years ago and it is the wooden homes and and small streets that stay in my memory. It is a lovely place to visit.
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Thank you x…Yes I plan on going back one day and staying a bit longer. That church needs me to be inside.
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We are so close – just west of Tours although will have to visit another day as our ferry is calling. Hear so much about this place, feel like I need to go. Kx
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oh no …so close yet…Yes you will next time xx
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What beautiful photos — and what a lovely account of your day in Honfleur! How lucky you were to witness the memorial service and the parade, as well … a fitting cherry on top of this veritable sundae of history. 🙂 Well … thanks to you I won’t miss visiting this city a second time. Wonderful post!
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Oh thank you xx No don’t miss it…so much history and beautiful people, food and drink.
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Honfleur is so charming! Love your photos of it. The architecture of the houses in the lead photo is splendid. x
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Isn’t it just a stunning place to visit and perhaps live
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I would take the option of live in a heartbeat. 🙂
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Great post
Interesting
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What a gorgeous town, so charming and full of history. I love that wooden church Xx
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When I go back I will go inside next time.
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