Honfleur
Honfleur is a commune in the French department of Calvadosin the region Normandy. It faces the city of Le Havre, which lies to the north of the Seine. Honfleur lies on the south bank of the Seine, on the edge of the Seine Bay. Honfleur is classified as a "ville fleurie".
Honfleur's charm lies in its slate-clad houses, which have delighted famous painters such as Claude Monet and Gustave Courbet.
Honfleur - description and history of the Calvados town
Honfleur was first mentioned in 1027.. Fortifications were built as early as the 13th century.ème century, on the initiative of Charles V. He wanted to prevent English access to the Seine estuary.
Despite these fortifications, the town was repeatedly besieged and occupied during the 15ème century. Today, all that remains of these fortifications are the Lieutenance (or Porte de Caen) and its two round towers. Honfleur went on to flourish thanks to its proximity to the maritime world: trade, shipbuilding, etc.
From here, explorer Jehan Denis left for Newfoundland, and Samuel de Champlain for Quebec. Honfleur even became one of France's main slave ports. by giving its share to the triangular trade (the 7thème slave port, and more than 130 shipments). This led to the deconstruction of the fortifications on Colbert's initiative, with the aim of enlarge the basin, currently known as 'le vieux bassin' (the old basin). And it was Abraham Duquesne who continued the work, completed only in the 18th century.ème century.
But the town of Honfleur would have a hard time recovering from the loss of the colonies and competition from its neighbor, the town of Le Havre.
Today, the port of Honfleur no longer has all the grandeur of yesteryear, but it serves in the port of Rouen.
Heritage of Honfleur
The town of Honfleur is best known for its Old Basin, but it also boasts a number of interesting heritage sites, such as the churches of Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Etienne and Saint Léonard.
Religious heritage
- notre dame de grâce chapel
The Chapelle Notre Dame de Grace is a religious edifice overlooking the town of Honfleur, facing the Seine estuary, but part of a neighboring commune, the commune of Equemauville, located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1938.
The first chapel was built on the Plateau de Grâce in 1023, on the initiative of Richard II, Duke of Normandy, after he had escaped a storm at sea. Today, ex-votos and a Dupont organ with two manuals and a pedalboard are on display.
- Saint Léonard church in Honfleur
The church of Saint Léonard de Honfleur is a religious edifice located in the south-east of the town of Honfleur, in the Calvados department of Normandy. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1980.
While a sanctuary certainly existed here, it appears that the old church was destroyed during the Wars of Religion. The current church was built between 17ème century and the 18thème century.
The distinctive feature of this religious edifice, which is very recent in comparison with other Catholic churches in France, is certainly the shape of its domed bell tower. It also boasts a gallery organ by Ducroquet, Merklin, Charles Mutin, Jean-François Dupont and Nicolas Toussaint, all organ builders. It is listed as a historic monument in the Mérimée database.
-Saint Etienne church
The Eglise Saint Etienne de Honfleur - formerly the Eglise Saint Etienne-des-prés - is a religious building located in Honfleur, on the Quai Saint Etienne, not far from the Old Basin. Unlike the church of Sainte Catherine, the church of Sainte Etienne is built of stone. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1932.
According to the Mérimée database, it was built partly in the 14th century, partly in the 15th century and partly in the 16th century. It was moved in 1369 to become part of the fortress by order of King Charles, and then, interestingly, enlarged in 1432 by English soldiers occupying the town.
It was restored at the end of the 18th centuryème After the French Revolution, it underwent several changes of use (as a customs warehouse, or even as a stock exchange). It was restored again at the end of the 19th century.ème century.
Since then (1897) it has been transformed into a naval museum, and was partially restored again in 1993.
- Saint Catherine's Church in Honfleur
Eglise sainte Catherine is a religious building located in Honfleur, not far from the 'vieux bassin' on Quai Sainte Catherine. Part of the diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux, it has been listed as a historic monument since 1875.
The church is unique in that it is built of wood, which is unusual for a church in France.
St. Catherine's church was built at the end of the Hundred Years' War, on a plan resembling a market hall. The bell tower and second nave were built later.
According to custom, the entire building was built without the use of a saw, in keeping with the tradition of the "axe masters". Part of the roof is covered with lumber.
Non-religious heritage
- Ethnographic museum and winegrower's manor house
The Musée d'Ethnographie is a museum located in the town of Honfleur, in the Calvados department of the Normandy region, more precisely in the winegrower's manor house. The museum was created at the end of the 19ème century. The winegrower's manor has been listed as a historic monument since 1932. It is remarkable for its wooden, corbelled architecture.
- the Musée de la Marine
The Musée de la Marine is located in Honfleur, in the Calvados department of Normandy, and since 1897 has occupied the former church of Saint Etienne, or Saint Etienne-des-Prés, on the Quai Saint Etienne.
Two years after its opening, the Musée de la Marien houses collections of objects and costumes. The museum as it is known today was reorganized between 1976 and 2002, on the initiative of Pierre Orange, allowing visitors to admire historical and maritime collections. The museum also features model ships, the largest of which is the Nymph.
- Les Maisons Satie
The term Maisons Satie refers to the three half-timbered houses that make up Erik Satie's birthplace and the Satie Museum. The Maisons Satie have been listed as historic monuments since 1992. The Musée Satie opened in 1998, and pays homage to the musician and composer of the same name in a variety of ways. Here you'll find a wide variety of objects, paintings, drawings, furniture and more...
- The Eugène Boudin Museum
The Musée Eugène Boudin is an art museum located in Honfleur, in the Calvados department of Normandy. The museum was created in 1868 on the initiative of the commune of Honfleur and Louis-Alexandre Dubourg, a painter by trade.
Since 1924, it has occupied the former chapel of the Augustine convent, and was reorganized in the 1970s.
- Salt granaries
The salt granaries are located in Honfleur, in the Calvados department of Normandy. Built of rubble stone, they were used to preserve fish, thanks to the salt's preservative properties, and proved extremely useful in this fishing port. They were listed as historic monuments in 1916.
Today, only two of the three original salt granaries remain.
Other curiosities
Alphonse-Allais Museum
The Musée Alphonse Allais is located in Honfleur, Calvados, Normandy. It is located at 2ème floor of a building. Created in 1999, it is said to be the smallest museum in France, measuring just 8m².
Alphonse Allais was a humorist, writer and journalist who was born in Honfleur and lived in the second half of the 19th century.ème century. Among other things, he wrote for the newspaper 'Le Chat Noir', for which he became editor-in-chief in 1886. He also wrote for other newspapers (Gil Blas, for example), and later published a number of collections. He died in 1905.
Honfleur also boasts a number of other attractionsThese include the longboat 'cotre Sainte-Bernadette', listed as a historic monument in 1992.
- Honfleur and painting
The artists who painted the town of Honfleur made up what is today known as the "Honfleur School", an artistic movement that contributed to the emergence of the Impressionist movement.
Among the painters who have left their mark on Honfleur are Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet, Camille Corot and Johan Barthold Jongkind.
Honfleur - FAQ
Where is Honfleur?
Honfleur is located precisely on the south shore, or the left bank of the Seine estuary.
How to get to Honfleur
From Le Havre: Honfleur is easy to get to from Le Havre, via the Pont de Normandie. Bus lines serve Honfleur.
How many people live in Honfleur?
Honfleur certainly has a population of over 7,000.Honfleur is part of the Honfleur conurbation, which comprises more than 12 communes. Honfleur's inhabitants are called Honfleurais.
Honfleur, a name...
The town's name comes from the appellative 'fleur', which is far from unique to Normandy. The expression 'fleur' or 'fleu' simply means 'river'. Hon' in Honfleur is derived from the Old Norse word Hùni.
