Honfleur

[philiphurst]

I have a long-held ambition to visit Honfleur and am planning to go this year.

I would greatly appreciate any advice that may be available here. Please bear in mind that I will be single-handing.


Thanks in anticipation.

 

[sailorman]

Hi Phillip
all very straight forward, leave from LeHarvre & take the tide up, only one lock from the Seine, it is rather like being in a goldfish bowl inside & a long hike to the bogs.
Carrefore just up the road is handy

 

[wingdiver]

I would say that I agree with Sailorman to a point except I seem to remember there is a huge sand bank at the mouth of the Seine, which means a straight trip from Le Harvre isn't always possible. At lower tide you have to go out to sea and back in again on the western side.
Once you get to the lock, there are now pontoons on the right just before the old port, which are ok but a very long hike to the showers and loos (although there are some public loos in the park beside the quay there).
To get into the old port, you have to wait for the bridge to open. Once inside it is the real Honfleur 'experience' but with the added 'joy' of the world and his wife (and kids and granny too) wandering around the quayside peering in your companionway. The showers are still a good distance.
Another bonus of Honfleur is that you can get a bus from near the port area to visit Trouville and Deuville (the former being full of designer shops and good for people watching) which have a foot ferry linking them.

 

[Cardo]

We stopped in Honfleur for a couple of nights as we entered the inland waterways last spring. Was a surprising gem. We travelled up from Port-en-Bessin, another lovely fishing town (free pontoon for visitors just inside lock on right, no services, but lovely). Honfleur is a short trip up the beginning of the Seine. Make sure you get the tide right or you'll be fighting a reasonably strong current, potentially going backwards. Also make sure you're on the north side of the river (though south of the sand bar), which is the small boat channel. Once you get to the lock, hang around in the small boat channel until the traffic lights change. The lock is _HUGE_ and there are floating bollards, so just tie up and enjoy the ride. I believe the lock is open a couple hours either side of high tide, so arrive then if you want to just motor through. From outside, Honfleur looks grim as all you see is wall. However, when you come out of the other side of the lock, it's an amazing view. We stayed on the new pontoon on the right, just by the park. All services, though was €25/night for us. Relatively expensive, considering the various other places we stopped. We didn't bother going into the old harbour, but if you want to feel like a fairground attraction, go nuts. You will be right in the middle of all the restaurants and bars, with all the tourists looking down at you.

 

[Cantata]

I've been there, really liked it. I recall that the wall where you have to wait for the bridge has somewhat untidy mooring arrangements and I remember shinning up an old ladder.
Once through the bridge you get met by a nice young lady in a dinghy who will show you to your berth and, no doubt as you are single-handing, will be prepared to do a little extra for you...

 

[Cardo]

Just because.

 

[Pinnacle]

Just because.

Tsk......no YBW Forum burgee.

 

[johnalison]

We first went there in 1978 and also went two summers ago. The young lady met us while we were moored before the bridge and arranged moorings then. There are some fingers available inside but most short-term visitors will be rafting near the Lieutenance.

As stated, there are well-charted shallows on the Le Havre side of the Seine. There is also a semi-submerged wall to the south, marked with posts.

Honfleur is a lovely spot with good food and other shops and regular markets. The harbour is now traffic-free, so you don't get motorbikes all night. The art gallery is worth seeing and has a good collection of Boudin's work - he showed the wY to the impressionists. Unmissable is the Eric Satie house nearby. I can't describe it but you won't be disappointed.

 

[philiphurst]

Many, many thanks for your responses. Very useful and greatly appreciated.

Anybody else, please contribute.


Thanks, again.

 

[philiphurst]

Rumour has it that classic yachts are berthed in a different area to more modern vessels. Is anybody able to comment on this.

Vested interest declaration: we own a classic :encouragement:

 

[philiphurst]

We first went there in 1978 and also went two summers ago. The young lady met us while we were moored before the bridge and arranged moorings then. There are some fingers available inside but most short-term visitors will be rafting near the Lieutenance.

As stated, there are well-charted shallows on the Le Havre side of the Seine. There is also a semi-submerged wall to the south, marked with posts.

Honfleur is a lovely spot with good food and other shops and regular markets. The harbour is now traffic-free, so you don't get motorbikes all night. The art gallery is worth seeing and has a good collection of Boudin's work - he showed the wY to the impressionists. Unmissable is the Eric Satie house nearby. I can't describe it but you won't be disappointed.

Given that you are a Blackwater resident, any tips on route planning, please.

 

[Tomahawk]

Go out, turn right.
Turn right again
After a short shile turn sharp left and keep a good look out for big floaty things.. Some go very fast
It's on the left.

 

[philiphurst]

Go out, turn right.
Turn right again
After a short shile turn sharp left and keep a good look out for big floaty things.. Some go very fast
It's on the left.

Apart from that?

 

[johnalison]

We are no longer Blackwater but now from Titchmarsh. From the Blackwater, we used to leave around half flood. This means that you cross the Sunk at HW and get to N Foreland in time for the change of tide. Usually, we went Blackwater, Ramsgate, Boulogne, Dieppe, Fecamp then Honfleur. This was in 25ft boats with a small children on board.

An alternative could be Blackwater, Dover, Brighton or Eastbourne, Fecamp but with longer legs.

We have always enjoyed the Normandy Coast, especially Dieppe and St Valery en Caux. This last is not suitable when going west as you would normally arrive near low water on the ebb, when you can't get in.

Just round the corner from Honfleur is Deauville/Trouville which is quaint and worth a visit. Le Havre was flattened in the war but makes a useful stop. The YC restaurant is excellent.

 

[sailorman]

We are no longer Blackwater but now from Titchmarsh. From the Blackwater, we used to leave around half flood. This means that you cross the Sunk at HW and get to N Foreland in time for the change of tide. Usually, we went Blackwater, Ramsgate, Boulogne, Dieppe, Fecamp then Honfleur. This was in 25ft boats with a small children on board.

An alternative could be Blackwater, Dover, Brighton or Eastbourne, Fecamp but with longer legs.

We have always enjoyed the Normandy Coast, especially Dieppe and St Valery en Caux. This last is not suitable when going west as you would normally arrive near low water on the ebb, when you can't get in.

Just round the corner from Honfleur is Deauville/Trouville which is quaint and worth a visit. Le Havre was flattened in the war but makes a useful stop. The YC restaurant is excellent.

Dives sur mare saturday food market is a must

 

[johnalison]

Dives sur mare saturday food market is a must

Agreed but it's a bit further along for someone with limited time. Also in Dives is the best wine and Calvados Caves. Opposite the market in the town square, they will give generous tastings of Calvados to genuine buyers.

 

[philiphurst]

Once again, many thanks to everyone for the suggestions and advice.

Initial thoughts are to go there along the French coast and then return along the English side. Having a crew would make life a lot easier!

 

[sailorman]

Once again, many thanks to everyone for the suggestions and advice.

Initial thoughts are to go there along the French coast and then return along the English side. Having a crew would make life a lot easier!

personally would stay on the French side for the rtn

 

[wingdiver]

Agree with Sailorman. Why travel a long way across the channel to pay high UK south coast charges, when you can coast hop along the French side and take the short hop across the Dover Strait. This is especially sensible if you are shorthanded.
East of Honfleur, I would heartily recommend Fecamp - and don't forget to visit the WW2 emplacements and church on the cliff top on the eastern side of the entrance, the fish market and the excellent restaurants.
Dieppe is a bit pricey but sheltered and has some good shops and restaurants and even used to have an Indian restaurant (although we never visited).
Not been in anywhere else along there until Boulogne although I believe Sailorman and others will be able to guide you on those harbours.
I would recommend Boulogne above Calais if only for the fact that it is 24hr access rather than waiting for the lock and avoiding a lock may again be best if shorthanded.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Agree regarding the tidal limitations of Calais, but there isn't a lock there unless you are intending to enter the canals!