Days schedule/ Breakfast

Overslept. Wolfed breakfast in about 10 minutes. On the bus for trip to Honfleur now. Honfleur is a picturesque port town located in Normandy, in northern France, on the southern bank of the Seine estuary where it meets the English Channel. It’s part of the Calvados department and is widely celebrated for its charming harbor, historic architecture, and its connection to Impressionist painters.

Highlights of Honfleur:

🌊 Old Harbor (Vieux Bassin)
• The heart of Honfleur. This 17th-century harbor is lined with tall, narrow slate-covered buildings—many of them now cafés, galleries, and shops.
• Artists like Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin painted the harbor often, helping to define the early Impressionist movement.

🎨 Artistic Heritage
• Eugène Boudin, born in Honfleur, mentored Claude Monet. His museum, Musée Eugène Boudin, displays works by Boudin and his contemporaries.
• The town attracted painters like Monet, Courbet, and Jongkind, all drawn by the town’s light and scenery.

⛪ St. Catherine’s Church (Église Sainte-Catherine)
• France’s largest wooden church with a separate bell tower.
• Built by shipwrights in the 15th century using naval construction techniques, giving the ceiling the appearance of an upturned boat.

🚢 Maritime Museum (Musée de la Marine)
• Located in the former church of St. Etienne, it explores Honfleur’s seafaring history, from fishing and trade to exploration.

🌉 Pont de Normandie
• A striking modern cable-stayed bridge linking Honfleur to Le Havre. When it opened in 1995, it was the longest of its kind in the world.

🏖️ Nearby Nature
• The Côte Fleurie (Flowery Coast), with towns like Deauville and Trouville, is a short drive away.
• The Normandy countryside and apple orchards also surround Honfleur—ideal for cider and Calvados tastings.

History in Brief:
• Dates back to at least the 11th century.
• Played roles in the Hundred Years’ War and during the Age of Exploration. Ships from Honfleur sailed to the New World, including voyages to Quebec.
• Was not heavily bombed in WWII, so much of its historic charm remains intact.

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Today, Honfleur is a major tourist destination, beloved for its blend of history, romance, and artistic inspiration. It’s ideal for strolling, relaxing, enjoying seafood, and soaking in a unique Norman ambiance.Baca lagi