We drove into Honfleur by a scenic route from Caudebec where our Uniworld ship was docked. Caudebec was the home of Victor Hugo (who wrote Les Misérables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame in case you forgot). All along the route, we enjoyed seeing many of the thatched-roof houses for which the area is known. And then we arrived in Honfleur on the Seine estuary.

Honfleur was spared during the war and in addition to having a lovely seaside setting, is an intact medieval village. Today it’s also an artists’ colony and is packed with shops, galleries, antiques, museums, and cafes. I loved it. I also need to thank our friend Amy O. for telling us about this wonderful part of France. After hearing her description and seeing her pictures, I had to visit.

Any town dating from the Middle Ages has a lot of history and we enjoyed learning more about the area on a walking tour. Originally built for trade, today’s industry centers on tourism. We spent the rest of the day strolling up and down the narrow streets.  Finding the next meal always seems to be on my mind and there are so many enticing options it was hard to choose. We finally settled on one where I enjoyed mussels and frites while Fred had fish soup. Once fortified, we were back out exploring. The morning haze had lifted and we had some lovely blue sky among the drifting clouds.

Monet’s mentor, Eugène Boudin, was born here and the area was a magnet for impressionist painters. The village became known for its changing light conditions. The different light and reflection from the water would change the colors of buildings, creating an enticing opportunity for artists. There is a museum with Boudin’s work (aptly named the Eugène Boudin Museum) and others who were captivated by this lovely setting.

Honfleur is definitely one of my favorite stops on this itinerary. I could easily spend a few days here.

There is not much fishing these days, but the fishing boat shown here unloaded their nets on the dock. A man watching picked up a starfish from among the shells and seaweed. Finally, he released it back into the water. Just in time, because I was trying to decide how I was going to mount a rescue effort.

If you enjoyed this post, you might like to visit Monet’s Giverny.