Greniers à Sel
Honfleur, Normandy
The Greniers à Sel are side-by-side salt warehouses with identical medieval stone structures and tiled roofs, which are a fixture of the Honfleur skyline, just steps away from Le Vieux Bassin and the Old Harbor. Though the 17th-century site is no longer used for its original purpose—preserving cod and herring with tons of salt—it’s now a cultural space that hosts a changing roster of events.
The basics
The Greniers à Sel are located in the historic center of Honfleur, making them an easy stop while sightseeing around the city. Pop inside to catch concerts, festivals, and exhibitions that change throughout the year, or learn more about their history on a walking or e-bike tour. Guided tours cover not only the salt warehouses, but also Honfleur highlights like the 15th-century Saint Catherine’s Church and Le Vieux-Bassin harbor, which inspired many impressionist artists.
Things to know before you go
- Head to the Honfleur tourist office to find out what events are running at Greniers à Sel.
- Though the salt warehouses themselves are accessible, they are located on a cobblestone street that may be challenging for wheelchair users.
- While most visitors admire the Greniers à Sel’s from the outside, don’t miss the impressive interior with its timber-supported ceiling.
How to get there
The Greniers à Sel are on the lively Rue de la ville within a 10-minute walk of Honfleur’s main attractions, including Saint Catherine’s Church and the Eugène Boudin Museum. There’s a large parking lot near the harbor on Quai Tostain if you arrive by car, about a 5-minute walk from the salt warehouses.
When to get there
Honfleur is popular with Normandy road trippers and is a port of call for Seine river cruisers. To avoid crowds, pop by the Greniers à Sel early in the morning or in the late afternoon. The best time to visit the area is from May to October, when the winter chill has subsided and the region is lively with seasonal festivals.
Eat as the fishermen do
While the Greniers à Sel are no longer associated with Honfleur’s fishing trade, the town is still very much a destination for seafood fans. Scallops and gray shrimp are local specialties, which you can find fresh at the Place Sainte Catherine market on Saturday mornings or during the Honfleur Shell and Fishing Festival every October. If you’d rather not prepare the seafood yourself, the reputable fishmongers at L’Hippocampe and Poissonnerie les Embruns have endless options for a quick meal.
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