From Honfleur: 1.5 to 3.5 hour sidecar tour of the Flowercoast

Your pilot will pick you up at the cruise terminal, your hotel or the tourist office of Honfleur.

The Vieux Bassin of Honfleur is the beating heart of this charming Norman port town, renowned for its authentic character and unique maritime atmosphere. Dug in the Middle Ages, this historic harbor played a central role in Honfleur's commercial growth, serving as the home port for merchant ships and fishing boats that shaped the town's history.

Surrounded by colorful half-timbered houses, renowned seafood restaurants, and lively art galleries, the Vieux Bassin offers an enchanting, postcard-perfect setting. Its picturesque quays, lined with vibrant fishing boats and elegant sailboats, create an idyllic backdrop for a romantic stroll or a leisurely meal on a sunlit terrace.

This iconic spot has also inspired many famous artists, including Gustave Courbet and Eugène Boudin, who found endless creative inspiration in its maritime landscapes. Today, the Vieux Bassin continues to captivate visitors with its timeless charm and bewitching atmosphere, seemingly suspended in time.

The Church of Sainte-Catherine in Honfleur is an exceptional architectural treasure, embodying the rich historical and maritime heritage of the town. Built in the late 15th century, this entirely wooden church is the largest of its kind in France, making it a truly remarkable monument.

Its unique architecture is the result of the craftsmanship of the shipbuilders of the time, who applied naval construction techniques to create this place of worship. The main nave, with its shape resembling an overturned ship’s hull, is supported by massive oak beams, exuding both strength and elegance. The detached bell tower, reminiscent of an old ship’s lighthouse, further emphasizes the maritime connection that defines Honfleur.

Built in the early 17th century, this chapel is a cherished pilgrimage site for local sailors and fishermen, who come to pay their respects to the Virgin Mary and seek her protection before setting out to sea.

The chapel’s architecture is marked by its understated elegance, with stone walls and a slate roof that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Inside, the peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by delicate stained glass windows that cast soothing patterns of light on the wooden walls. The sanctuary houses a revered statue of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, surrounded by numerous votive offerings from grateful mariners.

The intersection of faith and maritime tradition is also evident in the ceremonies held here, including ship blessings and prayers for safe voyages.The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is a haven where history, devotion, and natural beauty converge, providing visitors with an experience of charm and authenticity.

You will have access to a beautiful panorama and it is worth seeing especially on a sunny day. You will see the basins of the port and the two pylons of the bridge of Normadie connecting Honfleur to Le Havre and just below a good part of the old city with its narrow streets.

At Manoir d'Apreval, a family-run estate located between Deauville and Honfleur, you'll have the chance to meet our friends and family, who have been passionately producing cider and calvados for five generations. Specializing in the cultivation of apples and pears, Manoir d'Apreval blends traditional and modern methods with a commitment to environmental respect. All our products, including pure fruit juices, cider, pommeau, and calvados, are organic. Set amidst the lush orchards of the Pays d'Auge, this charming estate offers an authentic and flavorful experience, immersing you in the heart of Norman tradition while uncovering the secrets of our production.

INCLUDED IN THE 2.5 AND 3.5 HOUR OPTIONS

This stop may be excluded if your guide estimates that there is not enough time left.

The bridge was designed by Michel Virlogeux, the general studies having been led by Bernard Raspaud from Bouygues. The works management was shared between G. Barlet and P. Jacquet. The architects were François Doyelle and Charles Lavigne.
Construction by Bouygues, Campenon Bernard, Dumez, Monberg & Thorsen, Quillery, Sogea and Spie Batignolles began in 1988 and lasted seven years. The bridge opened on 20 January 1995.

INCLUDED IN THE 2.5 AND 3.5 HOUR OPTIONS

"A monkey in winter", a film by Henri Verneuil, was shot there during the winter of 1961-1962. Villerville appears there under the name of Tigreville. A local association, created in 2001, perpetuates the memory of the shooting. Since June 2007, a large photo of the film Jean Gabin and Jean-Paul Belmondo, the two stars of the film, has been hanging on a wall at the entrance to the main street. Down this street is the Norman Cabaret, a restaurant used for filming.

INCLUDED IN THE 3.5 HOUR OPTION

The Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville is a grand hotel of the Groupe Lucien Barrière at Deauville in Normandy. It was built as the Hôtel Normandy by François André in 1912.

INCLUDED IN THE 3.5 HOUR OPTION

The present building dates from the twelfth and thirteenth century. The building is registered as a historic monument on September 23, 1977.

INCLUDED IN THE 3.5 HOUR OPTION

It was built between 1907 and 1912 on the plans of the architect Georges Pichereau Caen on behalf of Henri de Rothschild, on the site of a farm he had bought in 1875 Gustave Flaubert, farm Coteau . She is the archetype of the second generation of the neo-Norman style.

INCLUDED IN THE 3.5 HOUR OPTION

On the initiative of Duc de Morny, founder of the Deauville resort, the racecourse was inaugurated in August 18631, the year in which two first races were held on 14 and 15 August. Gradually, the reunion expands, with the creation of the Deauville Cup in 1866, endowed with 20 000 F and an object of art of 10 000 F and the Grand Prix of Deauville in 1871.

Your pilot will bring you back to your hotel or the tourist office.