St. Catherine church in Honfleur, Wooden church in Honfleur, France
St. Catherine Church is a wooden church in Honfleur featuring two naves with ceilings shaped like inverted ship hulls. A separate bell tower made entirely of oak timber stands adjacent to the main structure.
Shipwrights built the structure in 1460 using naval construction techniques after the previous stone church was destroyed during the Hundred Years War. This choice of methods allowed the craftsmen to create a durable structure using their existing skills.
The interior displays maritime paintings and wooden carvings of religious figures created using the same techniques that local shipbuilders applied to their vessels. Visitors can recognize the craftsmanship style that was common in port communities.
The building is open daily for visitors who want to explore its interior structure and artwork. Coming early in the day helps you avoid crowds and observe the details more comfortably.
The separate bell tower was built on top of the bell ringer's house and holds religious artifacts that belong to the Eugene Boudin Museum collection. This unusual arrangement allowed the church to function independently from damage to the main building.
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