Top things to do in Honfleur France in one day

On our road trip through the Normandy region, we visited the picturesque coastal town of Honfleur. Honfleur is a city in the department of Calvados, in northern France’s Normandy region.

Its claim to fame is its picturesque harbor famously painted by Monet and other impressionist painters which is just so stunning!

On the blog, I highlight the top things to do in Honfleur France in one day. You can easily explore all of Honfleur France’s attractions on a day trip, but a weekend in Honfleur is better to get to know the city more.

This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links are no extra charge to you, but I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase.

Short on time?…Pin me for later!

How to get to Honfleur

When planning your day trip to Honfleur France, I suggest renting a car and taking a road trip through Normandy.

The drive through Normandy is so beautiful, and it’s the best way to get around the area while you admire the gorgeous scenery.

You can also get to Honfleur by train, but you would need to make a stop at Deauville and take a bus ride from there.

Top things to do in Honfleur France

Admire the Vieux Bassin (Old Harbor)

One of the best things to do in Honfleur France on a day trip is a visit to Honfleur’s Old Harbor, or the (Vieux-Bassin).

This stunning harbor is Honfleur’s claim to fame with its stunning 16th to 18th-century townhouses with slate-covered frontages.

Honfleur’s shipowners made fortunes from trade in the past and built their high-rise homes right next to each other right along the port.

Honfleur’s famous Old Harbor scenery is popular with artists who love to paint the famous scenery which included some famous painters like Monet and Boudin. You can still find artists nowadays painting away and they’re so fun to watch!

Today the harbor is lined with hotels, shops, and restaurants and is the perfect place to grab a coffee or a glass of wine and people-watch.

Make sure to watch as the sun sets over the Vieux-Bassin on your day trip to Honfleur. The reflection of the townhomes against the river is just so beautiful!

Visit Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church

Another highlight of our visit to Honfleur is the Sainte-Catherine church.

The Sainte-Catherine church is the largest church made out of wood in France and is absolutely beautiful.

The separate Bell tower was built a good distance away so that parishioners would not be burnt in case of a fire. 

This was the most unique church we’ve ever seen! The first nave is the oldest part of the building, dating to the second half of the 15th century.

It was built on the model of a market hall, using naval construction techniques, which gives the impression of an upside-down ship’s hull. This was definitely one of the most interesting place in Honfleur.

Stroll along Honfleur’s picturesque streets

On your visit to Honfleur France, a stroll through the picturesque streets is the best itinerary for the day.

The colorful and charming half-timbered buildings, and cute little alleyways made for an interesting stroll around the city.

There are also many wonderful little shops and cute little cafes lining the streets. One, in particular, was a teddy bear-themed cafe.

Our little one had an amazing time with some afternoon tea and snacks surrounded by cute little stuffed bears!

Honfleur France with kids

Explore Le Jardin des Personnalités

One of the best things to do in Honfleur France with kids is a visit to the nearby park. The Le Jardin des Personnalités was a welcome surprise for the little ones!

It’s a wonderful park with a playground, a beautiful garden, and lots of open space to let the kiddos run free! It was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Honfleur. 

Take a dip at the Plage du Butin

On your sightseeing tour of Honfleur with kids, make sure to visit the Plage du Butin.

This beach in Honfleur was just what we needed after a long road trip through Normandy.

Our little one had a blast collecting shells and dipping her feet in the water, while we admired the views of the Seine River and the Pont de Normandie bridge. 

Take a ride on the Carousel in Honfleur

The best thing about traveling to France with kids is that you will always find a carousel no matter which city you visit.

In Honfleur, the kids will have a blast with the carousel located by the Vieux-Bassin. Our little one had so much fun, she may have taken a ride more than once. It was definitely the highlight of her day!

Where to stay in Honfleur

During our visit, we stayed at a lovely apartment just a short walk away from the harbor. The Teeraya apartment was a perfect one-bedroom home, complete with a living room and a kitchen.

READ NEXT: Road trip through Normandy

Book your hotel in Honfleur here:

SAVE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER!

Disclaimer: Skylar Arias Adventures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and its partners. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. These links are no extra charge to you, but I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase.