Honfleur Museums

Honfleur Museums - Enter the artistic world of Honfleur

Honfleur is a stunning town centred around the Vieux-Bassin (old bassin) whose water is fed from its port at the mouth of the Seine Estuary. Famous for its timber-framed townhouses that reflect in the water when bathed in the glow of the morning sun, the town is very popular.  

Honfleur has a rich maritime heritage that goes back to Roman times and offers loads of attractions to visitors.  It's very easy to spend a day in Honfleur leisurely walking, browsing the craft shops and art galleries and relaxing in the harbour cafés. There's even the largest surviving wooden church in France, Église Sainte-Catherine, just a very short stroll from the Vieux-Bassin and main hub of restaurants and boutiques.

Église Sainte-Catherine, Honfleur

The church was built by shipwrights in the 15th century and the panelled roof looks like the upturned hull of a sailing boat. As you can see the maritime heritage is a strong one in Honfleur! At first it may seem odd to see the bell tower in another part of the square, rather than attached to the church, but it turned out the builders knew what they were doing. Any sparks from lightning striking the tower wouldn't set fire to the town's main church. 

Find out more about this historic and enchanting Norman town in our comprehensive travel guide Honfleur - 8 Best Things to See and Do. Packed with information and photos, it will help you plan a fabulous visit to this gem of a town. Now let's focus on the artistic world of Honfleur's famous artists and two special museums. 

Musée Boudin, Honfleur

To learn more about Honfleur's favourite Impressionist artists head to Musée Boudin in rue de l'Homme du Bois.

Artist Eugène Boudin was born in Honfleur and was known as "the king of the skies" because of his dramatic Normandy landscapes, particularly his painted beach scenes of the nearby towns of Trouville and Deauville. Boudin was a big influence on the younger painter Claude Monet, and his works are displayed alongside other Impressionists in this museum. You'll see how some scenes selected by the artists are the same, but are depicted very differently. The mid-1800s paintings are sentimental compared to the less familiar 20th century painters such as Fernand Herbo and Henri de Saint-Delis.

Make sure you head up to the top floor to gaze out the huge glass outer wall of the gallery. The spectacular view takes in Pont du Normandie, the two-kilometre long bridge that links Honfleur and Le Havre.

Useful Information

Address: rue de l'Homme du Bois, Honfleur - www.musees-honfleur.fr

Musée Erik Satie, Honfleur

Musée Erik Satie is dedicated to another of Honfleur's artistic notables, Erik Satie, the 20th century composer and pianist.

At this immersive museum you'll be able to don headphones and take the guided tour from room to room as you enter the eccentric world of the artist. The experience takes about an hour and really helps you understand the artist and his life.

Useful Information

Address: Boulevard Charles V, Honfleur - https://www.musees-honfleur.fr/musee-eugene-boudin.html

Jardin des Personnalités, Honfleur

Jardin des Personnalités is a ten-hectare park featuring sculptures of famous figures associated with Honfleur and both Boudin and Satis are represented in this beautiful garden.

It's only a short stroll to the garden from the centre of town along the jetty in the direction of the beach.

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