Old Honfleur basin, in France, Historic harbor basin in Honfleur, Normandy, France
The Vieux Bassin de Honfleur is a historic harbor basin in the center of Honfleur, in Normandy, France. It is lined with old quays where fishing boats and pleasure craft sit side by side, surrounded on three sides by tall, slate-clad houses that rise directly from the water's edge.
The harbor was built between 1681 and 1684 on the orders of Colbert and with the plans of Abraham Duquesne, replacing a smaller inner haven that stood within the old city walls, which were partly demolished to make way for it. The basin was later widened and deepened between 1720 and 1725 under Louis XIV.
The Quai Sainte-Catherine, lining the southern edge of the harbor, is flanked by old houses dating from the 16th to the 18th century, their facades reflected in the water below. Painters like Courbet, Boudin, and Monet worked here, and the ground floors of those same buildings now house cafes and restaurants where visitors sit and watch the boats.
Parking is available close by, near the East Basin and the Naturospace, and from there a short walk leads directly to the quays. For an open view over the whole basin, head to the terraces of the Lieutenance building, which stands at the northern entrance to the harbor.
The Lieutenance building on the north quay is one of the last remaining traces of the old city fortifications, and it once served as the residence of the king's officer overseeing the port. A small movable bridge crosses the Morelle channel right next to it, allowing boats to pass between the basin and the open sea.
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