What is Honfleur, France, known for?

Honfleur is often described through the Vieux Bassin, the old inner harbour. The place looks postcard-perfect. The harbour is bordered by tall homes with slate roofs. Many of the buildings still feel very much as they did long ago. Honfleur is also linked to Eugène Boudin. He was born there. The town is often mentioned as an early stop for Impressionist painters.

A strong sea setting and changing daylight helped attract artists. Claude Monet is one of the best known. He worked outdoors around the docks and studied how to paint what he saw in front of him. Honfleur did not suffer heavy destruction in World War II. Because of that, older wooden homes could stay in place. Sainte-Catherine Church is a good example, with its huge timber frame and bold shape. Today, Honfleur keeps its Norman sea past close and continues to draw visitors with culture and history.