Honfleur
A small Normandy harbor town where you walk around the old basin, see the wooden church and spend a slow afternoon.
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Honfleur is a small harbor town on the south shore of the Seine estuary in Normandy, northwest France. The center is the Vieux Bassin, a basin lined with tall, narrow houses with slate-covered facades. The wooden Sainte-Catherine church stands a short walk away. The town is tied to painting: Eugène Boudin was born here and painted the estuary light, and Claude Monet painted here early in his career, when Boudin was his mentor. Painters came to the estuary in the 19th century, drawn by its light.
Plan a half-day stroll, a full day with the Musée Eugène Boudin and a coastal walk, or one night if you want the quays after day visitors leave. Honfleur has no train station, so you will need a car or a bus; check bus times before you plan the return. One add-on is a drive to the chalk cliffs at Étretat.
Honfleur in five
- Arrive by car or regional busThere is no train station in Honfleur. Buses link it with Caen, Le Havre and Lisieux, and many visitors drive from Paris or Rouen. Check the regional bus timetable if you rely on public transport.
- Park outside the harborParking by the Vieux Bassin fills by late morning, especially in summer. Use the outer car parks and walk in, and avoid circling the harbor streets after noon.
- Walk the harbor and the wooden churchThe Vieux Bassin and the Sainte-Catherine church can be seen in an hour or two. Add the museum of the painter Eugène Boudin if you want a rainy-day stop.
- Eat seafood by the quay, but compare the menusQuayside restaurants are pricier than those a street or two inland, and reservations help on weekends. Check posted prices and set menus before you sit down.
- Pair it with Étretat or Le HavreÉtretat is about an hour away by car, and Le Havre is the nearest large town. Together they make a two-day Normandy coast trip.Étretat travel guide
Things to do in Honfleur
See all attractions in Honfleur
Need to know
- Airport
- No airport; Paris (CDG, Orly) is the usual gateway
- Getting there
- Car about 2–2.5 hours from Paris; buses from Caen or Le Havre
- Getting around
- On foot; a car for coast and countryside
- Best base
- Honfleur for evenings; Le Havre or Caen for trains
- Time needed
- Half a day; 1 night for the quiet evening
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, grayFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, gray
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, freshMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fresh
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Spring, showersAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, showers
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, busyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, calmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool, wetOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Cold, storm riskNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, storm risk
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Cold, festiveDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, festive
Average daily high and low in Honfleur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Honfleur
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Honfleur
10:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°7°98%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue11°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed8°2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°6°8%Thursday: Rain. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri10°5°11%Friday: Rain. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat11°5°15%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sun9°6°26%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 10:47 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Le Havreabout 30–40 min by car or busA rebuilt port city with a UNESCO-listed center.Read the guide
- Étretatabout 1 hour by carWhite cliffs and natural arches.Read the guide
- Rouenabout 1 hour by carA city with a famous Gothic cathedral.Read the guide
- Givernyabout 1.5 hours by carMonet's house and gardens, in season.Read the guide
Before you go to Honfleur
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Rules for Honfleur, checked
- France is in the Schengen area: non-EU visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check your entry rules before you fly.Source
- Carry your passport or ID with you. French police can ask to see identity documents at any time.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance from any phone in France, including a mobile.
- Travelers from outside the EU cannot bring most meat and dairy products into France. Check customs rules before you pack food.Source
Plan around Honfleur
Regions, cities and how to plan the whole trip
Read the guideÉtretatCliffs and arches an hour by car
Read the guideLe HavreThe nearest large port city
Read the guideGivernyMonet's garden in the Seine valley
Read the guideRouenThe Gothic city on the Seine
Read the guidePlan your transportCars, rail and coach options
Read the guideHonfleur FAQ
Is Honfleur worth visiting?
Yes for a picturesque harbor and a slow day. The old quay, the wooden church and the painters' trail are the draw. It is small, so keep it to a day or a night.
How do you get to Honfleur without a car?
By regional bus from Caen, Le Havre or Lisieux. There is no train station, so check the current timetable and the last bus back before you commit.
How long do you need in Honfleur?
Half a day covers the harbor, the church and lunch. Stay a night if you want a quiet evening on the quay or to combine it with Étretat.
Is Honfleur a day trip from Paris?
Yes, by car in about 2–2.5 hours each way, or on an organized tour. A night in town gives you a calmer morning and avoids the late drive back.
When is the best time to visit Honfleur?
May to June and September for mild weather and lighter crowds. July and August are the busiest, and winter is quiet but can be windy and wet.