Vieux Bassin

The basics

As Honfleur’s main attraction, the Vieux Bassin dominates the city’s waterfront at the mouth of the Seine River. You can’t miss it while strolling through the old town, although it’s worth joining a guided tour if you’d like more information on the port’s maritime history and the wealthy families who originally lived in its waterfront homes.

Honfleur sightseeing tours typically stop by the harbor, plus visit local highlights like St. Catherine’s Church (Eglise Sainte-Catherine) and the Panorama du Mont-Joli viewpoint. If you’re staying elsewhere, guided day trips from Le Havre and even Paris stop by Honfleur’s Vieux Bassin en route to nearby attractions in Deauville, Trouville, and other Normandy gems.

Things to know before you go

• Save for a few cobblestones, the promenade around Vieux Bassin is flat, smooth, and wheelchair accessible.
• In addition to guided tours, the Musée de la Marine is a great way to learn about the Vieux Bassin’s maritime past.
• While the restaurants around the Vieux Bassin have great views, you’ll typically find lower-price and higher-quality fare on the side streets off the harbor.

How to get there

Located in the heart of old Honfleur, the Vieux Bassin is easy to reach on foot—just a 5-minute walk from Saint Catherine’s Church and the Eugène Boudin Museum. If you’re driving, the closest place to park is in the paid lot off Quai de la Torre, which leads directly to the Vieux Bassin.

When to get there

The Vieux Bassin is always picturesque, though some times of day are particularly good for photography and people-watching. Stop by in the early morning, when the sunlight is soft and you can sip a café au lait at a coveted outdoor table, or at night when the day trip crowds are gone and the street lights shimmer in the harbor.

A landmark at the Vieux Bassin

While the narrow, multicolored homes on Quai Sainte-Catherine typically steal the show at the Vieux Bassin, don’t overlook La Lieutenance at the harbor entrance. The stone structure, once the home of the king’s lieutenant, is the only remaining section of Honfleur’s medieval fortifications. The site is now a cultural center with a panoramic terrace that overlooks the harbor.