Holiday rentals and lettings in Honfleur

Honfleur is often considered as one of the prettiest small Normandy towns. With its two large beaches and the picturesque atmosphere of its old port, it has everything to seduce holidaymakers. Whether you dream of a week off with your feet in the water or a long weekend on the Normandy coast, you will immediately fall under the spell of this lively and warm city. Honfleur is relatively small and compact, but it has many accommodation options. Most of the seasonal rentals are concentrated along the Old Basin and in the small surrounding streets, in its old centre or near the beaches of Le Butin and Vasouy. Very comfortable, tastefully decorated and ideally located, these seasonal accommodations will allow you to stay in Honfleur in optimal conditions.

Honfleur is located in the north of the Pays d'Auge, on the Seine estuary, in the Normandy department of Calvados. It is in the immediate vicinity of other small coastal towns renowned for their beauty such as Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg or Villers-sur-Mer. The two nearest major cities are Le Havre, twenty kilometres away, and Caen, an hour's drive via the A13. However, Honfleur's particularity lies in the attraction it has exerted on artists. Thus, from 1820 to 1900, many painters such as Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet and Johan Barthold Jongkind took the railway to paint the landscapes of the small village. We are talking about them about the Honfleur school.

Honfleur and the neighbouring towns of Trouville and Deauville are among the favourite seaside resorts of Parisians. It must be said that the coasts of Normandy are very easily accessible from the capital. Thus, by road, two to three hours are enough to make the Paris - Honfleur trip via the A13. By train, it takes about three hours. All you have to do is go to the Saint-Lazare station to take an Intercité to the Trouville - Deauville station and then finish the journey by about forty minutes by bus to Honfleur.

Unlike many Norman cities, Honfleur was spared the ravages of the Second World War. Its ancient heritage, which is perfectly highlighted, gives the city its character. Nothing could be more pleasant, for example, than to stroll hand in hand along its harbour where most of the town's entertainment is concentrated. The narrow slate houses on Quai Sainte-Catherine are charming and many ancient monuments can be seen throughout the harbour. The Vieux Bassin is also the ideal place to have a drink in the sun while looking at the boats and enjoy the passing of time.

Honfleur's two beaches are very pleasant for swimming in the summer but especially for walking and watching the sunset. By car, you can easily drive along the estuary to cross the Bouches de la Seine Regional Natural Park and admire splendid views of the river. Another magical excursion is to go up the coast north to Etretat and spend the afternoon walking along its famous cliffs.

The small Eugène Boudin museum is dedicated to this painter from Honfleur but also presents a selection of works by Claude Monet and Eugène Isabey. Famous for his navies, Boudin was one of the very first French artists to leave the studio to paint directly on the motif. Untiringly, he painted the sky and the sea, the boats passing in the distance and, of course, the Old Honfleur Basin.

An important fishing port, Honfleur has long had to find ingenious solutions to preserve its fish. Even today, we can still visit two vast granaries built in 1670 where several tons of salt were kept for the preservation of fish products. They are now used as exhibition or concert halls.

Honfleur has many churches in its old centre, including Saint-Étienne church and Sainte-Catherine church. The latter dates from the fifteenth century but includes a modern porch, characteristic of the Neo-Norman style.

Honfleur has a large number of small restaurants that showcase the region's products. On the menu, you will find in particular andouille de Vire, camembert made with raw milk, scallops, cold meats and, of course, ciders and Calvados.

By car or bus, you can easily spend the day in Trouville, a resort known for its immense fine sandy beach and its many restaurants by the sea. Deauville, on the other hand, is famous for its casino and chic boutiques.