France

2 Days in Honfleur: Ultimate Itinerary

Things to Do in Honfleur

To help you plan your short stay, I have prepared a detailed itinerary for visiting Honfleur in a weekend.

I give you the program for each day as well as my advice to be able to make the most of your 2-3 days in Honfleur.

I have also prepared my selection of the best hotels to sleep in during your weekend. Whether you want a romantic, luxury, spa getaway or prefer a cheap weekend in Honfleur, I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for with my recommendations!

Day 1: Walk in Honfleur

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Weekend in Honfleur: itinerary day 1

A. The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace

I suggest you start this weekend in Honfleur by taking a little height from the start.

For this, go to the Notre-Dame de Grâce chapel , whose belvedere located just next to it, offers a beautiful view of the Seine estuary, the Pont de Normandie and the city of Le Havre in the distance.

The small chapel, built in the 17th century , is really very picturesque and has been classified as a historical monument. 

Nestled in the heart of the woods, the place is charming and pleasant and the calm is only interrupted by the melody of the carillon which rings approximately every 1/2 hour.

Inside , you can admire some paintings, beautiful stained glass windows and model boats.   The chapel is indeed dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, the protector of sailors.

Admission is free.

Tips

The Notre-Dame chapel is only a fifteen-minute walk from the historic center , but the climb is a bit steep.

If you don’t want to walk there, you can take your car, there are places to park. But you will absolutely not need your vehicle for the rest of the day.

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The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace

B. The Satie houses / Eugène Bourdin Museum

Then go back down to the historic center of Honfleur.

You can visit one of the 2 must -see museums during a weekend in Honfleur:

1) The Satie Houses.

This rather confusing and original museum in its staging is dedicated to the musician and composer Erik Satie . Born in Honfleur in 1866, he notably collaborated with Debussy and Ravel.

Thanks to the audio guide that will be provided to you, you will be able to immerse yourself in its universe and discover several scenographic scenes mixing sound and light.

Opening times and prices can be found on the official website of the Honfleur museums.

2) The Eugene Bourdin Museum.

This is the museum to do absolutely in a weekend in Honfleur if you are an art lover. It is dedicated to the painter Eugène Bourdin who was born in Honfleur.

Considered as one of the precursors of Impressionism, he painted many paintings representing the landscapes of the region and especially the sea and its shores.

He himself participated in the creation of this museum where not only some of his works are exhibited but also those of other Norman painters such as Courbet, Monet, Dubourg and Dufy.

Schedules and prices right here.

I let you choose the museum that interests you the most according to your interests.

Tips

To  visit the museums during your weekend in Honfleur, I recommend that you take the Museum Pass which entitles you to a preferential rate.

It is sold in partner museums or at the tourist office located on Quai Lepaulmier.

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Eugene Boudin Museum

C. St. Catherine’s Church

Continue your walk in Honfleur by going to admire the Sainte-Catherine church. Dating from the 15th century, it is classified as a historical monument.

You will see that this church is really atypical and has 2 particularities:

  • It was built of wood, making it the largest wooden church in France.
  • Its original shape seen from the inside resembling an upside-down boat hull.

At the end of the Hundred Years War, there were not enough materials left to build the building and it was therefore decided to use wood from the surrounding forests.

The master builders not necessarily knowing how to go about building a wooden church, they were inspired by carpenters shaping boats , hence its uniqueness.

The Sainte-Catherine church also has another unusual element: its bell tower is separate from the main building. The bell tower attracting lightning, the goal was to prevent the whole set from burning in the event of a fire.

Admission to the church is free but access to the bell tower is subject to a charge as it is an annex of the Eugène Boudin museum.

The exterior of the Sainte Catherine de Honfleur church

D. Take a walk on the Vieux Bassin

It’s a must to go through the Vieux-Bassin for a weekend in Honfleur.

With its narrow multi-storey houses dating from the 17th and 18th century covered with slates and its traditional fishing boats of all colors, the small port is the most picturesque place in Honfleur.

Many painters in the region have immortalized it on their paintings. And today, the Vieux-Bassin appears on all the postcards representing the city. With the reflection of the houses in the water, it is THE photo spot of Honfleur!

The small Norman port is very popular , there are often quite a lot of people along the quays and you will find plenty of restaurants there. Do not hesitate to consult the reviews on TripAdvisor before you sit down because unfortunately some are really tourist traps.

At the end of the Vieux-Bassin, you can also discover La Lieutenance , the place where the king’s lieutenant lived in the 17th century. Nowadays, it is the only vestige of the fortifications and the old ramparts.

The old pond at the end of the day

E. Our Lady of Grace

Overlooking Honfleur, the Chapel of Our Lady of Grace was built in the early XVII th century to replace the old chapel destroyed by a landslide of the cliff. It was originally erected by the Duke of Normandy, in thanks for not having died during a violent storm.

Since then, this chapel is venerated and houses paintings, models of boats and an old organ. During the feast of the sailors of Honfleur, around Pentecost, costumed children in sailors climb the hill to offer small models of ships to Our Lady of Grace.

  • Do not miss : The panoramic view of the Normandy Bridge, Le Havre and the Seine.
  • Address : 989 Côte de Grace, 14600 Equemauville
The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace

Day 2: Things to Do

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Weekend in Honfleur: itinerary day 2

A. See the Normandy Bridge

Majestic building erected in 1995, the Normandy Bridge connects Honfleur to Le Havre, a true symbol of the maritime supremacy of the region. It is not a tourist site strictly speaking, but it is worth a look if you are in the vicinity!

It is a cable-stayed bridge that straddles the Seine, 215 m high and 2141 m long, a record for the time. Constructed of concrete and metal, this bridge has four lanes for cars, two pedestrian lanes and two bike lanes. It does not disturb the navigation of boats that go up the Seine, and has become a real icon of the city, appearing on a large number of postcards.

The Normandy Bridge

B. The Naturospace

At the heart of Honfleur, the Naturospace is a privileged place to reconstruct the ecosystem of a tropical rainforest.

Home to a dozen species of birds and about sixty species of butterflies in a greenhouse of nearly 800 m2, it is a privileged place to observe rare and tropical specimens.

With observation and patience, you can even spot caterpillars of different species and pupae, in lush vegetation particularly neat. And if it’s your lucky day, you can even watch the live birth of a butterfly!

This magical and moving moment is made possible by the Naturospace thanks to a team anxious to promote the natural reproduction of these insects.

  • Visiting time : 3/4 hour to 1 hour
  • Address : Boulevard Charles V, 14600 Honfleur

If you are interested in visiting, you will find more information on the Naturospace website

A butterfly, at the naturospace

C. The Garden of Personalities

Located on a plot of 10 hectares, the Jardin des Personnalités is a bucolic and cultural walkway between the Old Basin and the dike by the Mayor of Honfleur in 2004.

While wandering in the many paths of the garden, you can cross the busts of famous personalities, native of the small Norman port or having stayed there.

Among those I selected: the painters Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin, the composer Erik Satie, the poet Charles Baudelaire, navigators Samuel de Champlain and Jean Doublet, or Charles V and Jean-Baptiste Colbert.

The Garden of Personalities, by the sea.

D. Visit the Satie Houses

The Satie Houses are a museum dedicated to the composer and musician Erik Satie. This genius, born in 1866 in Honfleur, worked with big names such as Picasso or Braque, and inspired artists such as Debussy and Ravel.

This is probably the most amazing museum I have ever visited! During the visit, you will browse the different rooms with an audioguide that will be triggered according to the room where you are. It’s really immersive!

You will discover musical scenographic scenes mixing the magic of image, sound and light, tracing the artistic career of Erik Satie to make it better known to the public.

Young and old alike will appreciate this poetic show that puts the visitor at the heart of the staging, inviting him to observe but also to live the experience proposed by the Satie Houses .

  • Address : 67 Boulevard Charles V, 14600 Honfleur
  • Prices : € 6.70 for adults and € 4.70 for children. If several museums of Honfleur interest you, it is possible to buy a museum pass.

More information on the Honfleur museums website (also valid for all other museums!)

The surprising interior of Satie houses

E. The Eugene Boudin Museum

The principal museum of Honfleur takes its name from a child of the city become big: the painter Eugene Boudin. Founded at the end of the XIX th century by Alexandre Dubourg and himself, this museum houses a rich collection of works by Norman painters like Boudin, Courbet, Monet, Dufy or Dubourg.

The seven rooms of the Eugène Boudin Museum are themed and offer an intuitive dive into the heart of the region’s romantic and impressionist painting. One of these rooms is devoted to a remarkable ethnographic collection, bringing together Norman costumes, traditional headdresses or typical furniture.

Address : Rue Man de Bois, 14600 Honfleur

Rates : Depending on the season, to see on the website

F. The Saint-Léonard church of Honfleur

Built in 1186, the Saint-Léonard church was destroyed during the Hundred Years War. Rebuilt in the early XVI th century, this religious building famous Leonard, a young nobleman of the court of King Clovis, considered the patron saint of prisoners.

One of the most interesting details of this church is its main portal, a magnificent witness to the wealth of flamboyant Gothic architecture of the time. Its bell tower was rebuilt in dome according to the architectural style in force in the east of France, and contributes to give to the Saint-Leonard church a particular cachet.

The Saint Léonard church of Honfleur

G. A shop selling Calvados

Normandy is famous for its Calvados and Pommeau, alcoholic beverages that delight all taste buds.

Honfleur has several shops offering the sale of these drinks, but also whiskey or Normandy beers. I can only advise you to go to the Cave Normande or Compagnie des Calvados de la Cave Honfleur, to leave with a typical souvenir of the region.

H. The carousel of Honfleur

The carousel of Honfleur, well known of the locals, settles every year since 1995 in front of the town hall. Its pretty wooden horses are the delight of children but also adults, who gather traditionally around this carousel.

The carousel is present from May to October in the city, before leaving to make a beauty during the winter. He will then entertain the children of Angers at the time of Christmas, then return to take his place in Honfleur.

The carousel of Honfleur

Honfleur Tourist Office

When you arrive in town, it is always a good idea to go to the tourist office, if only to get a tourist map of the city.

In Honfleur, the tourist office is located near the Vieux Bassin.

Here is the address: Quai Lepaulmier, 14600 Honfleur, France

Old pond at sunset

Where to Stay in Honfleur

To make it easier for you, I have selected the best hotels in town according to your desires and your budget. I have found some perfect weekend ideas for you for a short romantic getaway.

Luxury weekend in Honfleur

For a luxury weekend in Honfleur , I suggest you stay in a sublime Relais & Chateaux: La ferme Saint Simeon Spa .

This 5* establishment is located just 200 meters from the sea , a little outside the tourist center to avoid the hustle and bustle but not too far away to visit easily.

You will have at your disposal an indoor swimming pool as well as a Spa area including jacuzzi, sauna and hammam and providing beauty treatments/massages of the highest quality. You will be pampered in a magnificent setting!

The hotel is truly elegant and refined , ideal for a romantic getaway.

I also recommend that you reserve a table at the gourmet restaurant La Ferme, which has been awarded a Michelin Guide rating.

It’s the best choice for a luxury weekend in Honfleur!

Book your stay at La Ferme Saint Siméon with the link below:
Book my weekend in Honfleur now!

Tips

If this establishment does not suit you or is no longer available during your stay, you can stay in another 5* hotel: Le manoir des impressionnistes. 

Located on the seafront , 15 minutes walk from the center, it also offers a jacuzzi, sauna and hammam as well as an excellent restaurant. 

You can book your weekend in Honfleur in a luxury hotel right here:
Book my weekend in Honfleur now!

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La Ferme Saint Simeon Spa Relais & Chateaux – Luxury weekend in Honfleur

Spa weekend in Honfleur

To enjoy a relaxing weekend in Honfleur , I also recommend Le Clos de Grâce.

Located just 2 km from the center of Honfleur, this luxury B&B welcomes you to a large family estate comprising a mansion and several outbuildings.

The place dates from the 17th century and was even the home of the famous French actor Michel Serrault (known in particular for his role in La Cage aux Folles) for ten years.

This prestigious bed and breakfast offers spacious, very warm and comfortable suites.

During your stay, you will also benefit from free access to the huge indoor swimming pool heated all year round, a hammam and treatments or massages upon reservation. The more athletic can also try out the equipment in the fitness area.

To book your spa weekend in Honfleur , click on the link below:
Book my relaxing weekend in Honfleur now!

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Le Clos de Grace – Wellness weekend in Honfleur

Romantic weekend in Honfleur

For a romantic weekend in Honfleur , I have selected the hotel Les Maisons de Léa.

This 4* hotel has an exceptional location in the heart of the historic center , right next to the Sainte-Catherine church. Its location allows you to reach all the sites not to be missed in just a few minutes on foot.

The establishment, which occupies an old salt cellar and several 16th century houses, is very charming and is the ideal place for a romantic stay.

You will sleep in beautiful spacious and cozy rooms.

Book your weekend for two in Honfleur with the link below:
Reserve my romantic weekend in Honfleur now!

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Léa’s houses – Romantic weekend in Honfleur

Charming weekend in Honfleur

Are you looking for a beautiful and charming address to sleep during this weekend in Honfleur?

I recommend the Cour Sainte-Catherine guest house , a beautifully appointed 17th century former convent .

The place really has a lot of character with a small garden ideal for having breakfast on the terrace. And a little novelty, you will also have access to a Finnish sauna to relax after your day of sightseeing.

It is located in the center of the old town , right next to the Vieux-Bassin.

To book your charming weekend in Honfleur, you just have to click on the following link:
Book my charming weekend in Honfleur now!

Tips

As I couldn’t decide between them, I also give you another great address: the New Cottage & Spa Guesthouse.

For the record, the famous actor, director and director Sacha Guitry got married there in 1907.

This pretty Norman residence located just a 10-minute walk from the Vieux-Bassin offers not only beautiful, elegant rooms but also an outdoor swim spa and 2 saunas.

Another very nice weekend idea in Honfleur to book right here:
Book my charming weekend in Honfleur now!

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The Cour Sainte Catherine – Weekend in Honfleur

Weekend by the sea in Honfleur

If you want to spend a weekend in Honfleur by the sea , you can also choose to stay at the hotel La Chaumière.

Its location is ideal for taking a long walk on the beach but also accessing the city center , which is only 2 km away.

The hotel has private access to the beach , a tennis court, a pretty garden and an indoor swimming pool .

The restaurant also offers excellent dishes in a very nice setting with a view of the Seine estuary.

To book this weekend in Honfleur at the beach, just click on the link below:
Book my weekend in Honfleur now!

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La Chaumière – Weekend by the sea in Honfleur

Cheap weekend in Honfleur

I end this selection of hotels with some cheap weekend ideas in Honfleur.

I found you some establishments that offer a great price/performance ratio:

  • ibis budget Honfleur Centre: located 400 meters from the Vieux-Bassin. Simple hotel of a very well-known chain with basic but bright room from 55€ per night, breakfast in supplement at 6.60€. Most: cleanliness, very friendly welcome, well located. A good choice for a cheap weekend in Honfleur!
  • Hotel La Diligence: located 300 m from the port. Double room from €70, breakfast at €10. Most: the location, the free private parking, the very warm welcome.
  • Au Bois Normand: located in the heart of Honfleur, this guest house offers warm and cozy rooms from €75. Most: the location, the view of the port, the great welcome from the host. An excellent choice for a budget hotel in Honfleur!
  • Motel les Bleuets : Located 20 minutes walk from the city center. From the outside it looks like a very classic motel but inside the rooms are modern and comfortable. It’s a pleasant surprise! Room from €86 per night, breakfast included. Most: a perfect breakfast and free parking.

Map of your weekend in Honfleur

To help you visualize your  routes during this weekend in Honfleur,  I made you a map listing the  places to visit day by day . You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.

You will then be able to view the routes for each day.

Looking for other weekend ideas in France? Read also

Discover all our articles on French cities : All our articles on France are listed here.

And you, what did you plan to visit in Honfleur?

Camille L.

Passionate about foreign languages, cooking and writing. I wish to share with you the places, the meetings and the gastronomic discoveries which gave relief to my travels.

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