Taxi Caen → Honfleur

Honfleur is one of France's most photogenic towns. Its Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour), a pleasure port surrounded by tall 16th- and 17th-century slate-fronted houses, has been the subject of thousands of paintings since Eugène Boudin, precursor of Impressionism, was born here in 1824. Claude Monet, Johan Barthold Jongkind, Gustave Courbet and many other artists tirelessly painted the changing reflections of the harbour, the unique light of the Seine estuary and Norman skies. Honfleur is also a place of maritime history: it was from here that Samuel de Champlain set sail to found Quebec City in 1608, and Norman explorers sailed the world's seas from this port. The Church of Sainte-Catherine, built entirely of wood by shipwrights in the 15th century, is unique in France for its double nave and separate bell tower. The salt granaries, cobbled old-town lanes, ubiquitous art galleries and seafood restaurants on Quai Sainte-Catherine make Honfleur an essential Normandy destination. A taxi from Caen is the most practical way to reach this small town poorly served by rail — the nearest station is at Deauville-Trouville, 15 km away.