Affordable book in the heart of Honfleur
Our family of three stayed here for four nights as a base camp for attending a Women's World Cup game in Le Havre and seeing the sights of Normandy - in and near Bayeux (Overlord tour, the tapestry), farther west at Mont St. Michel, and north at Etretat, all very worthwhile day trips despite the long drives and tight parking. We also stopped at Monet's home and garden in Giverny on the way back to Paris. Four nights here was about right.
We also saw cathedrals, of course, including the lovely St. Catherine's just a block from the place, the ancient and fun Honfleur harbor also a block.up, and a great overlook and smaller mariners' church above the city. Walking up there is good exercise, and the view is fabulous.
Check Rick Steve's France (latest year) for many tips. Be prepared to spend for quality ($$$) if eating at real restaurants, but brasseries and creperies will have ok snacks and faster service. If on a budget see the LiDL store - much like Aldi - a few blocks past the harbor down the road. Bread there isn't bad and they have all the basics. It's a long walk with two sacks, though. Also there's a good farmer's market by the cathedral on Saturday mornings, and live music on weekends by the old harbor.
We skipped Honfleur museums (for shame!), having seen our share in Paris the week prior: four major museums, two walking tours, the Eiffel and the Arc. We also spent a couple of nights in the Loire Valley, saw two castles there and Da Vinci's home. Lovely visits all.
As to this apartment, our son and I thought of it as a treehouse because the bedroom he occupied on the upper floor involved climbing circular stairs and has two skylights. The beds on both upper levels were fine, though space for luggage on the middle level was very tight. This apartment is sandwiched between and behind shops, though the dining area and courtyard are nice, sunny extensions, making it L-shaped. I don't think there is air conditioning, but for most of the year Normandy is cool.
The furnishings are simple but fine, and the shower is nice. We wished that the bathroom sink had a lip on the sides to keep water from falling on the floor, but a washcloth may suffice for that. In the kitchen is a typical apartment washer / dryer for clothing. It handles a small load fine - use the middle part of the drawer for the soap pod - but does not quite dry. We just planned to air dry things and did not wash on our last day. Had the same experience in a Paris rental.
Spending at extra 51 euros for linens and towels was a drag, but the overall cost was still very reasonable. The real advantage was location: a nice space in the middle of town, behind a gate and fence. One can open a kitchen window and see employees of the Italian place next door on break, yet it felt secure and private. If one cares to barbeque, that is possible in the little outside courtyard.
What else? The owners speak zero English but we got by with translation software. They gave good directions to the place, and to free parking a few blocks down at the Naturo space near the butterfly house. Almost all parking in Honfluer proper is payant, so this alternative was great.
If you crave an authentic old-world apartment, look elsewhere or spend much more. If you want a simple base camp with a kitchen, dining area, and privacy, and don't mind circular stairs, this is a fine choice.
Thank you, Martine and Jean...
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Gran ubicación en la ciudad vieja.
Gran ubicación en la ciudad vieja. Muy limpio, lugar moderno. Sin puertas para los dormitorios. Bastante compacto.
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Falta de intimidad si eres varios
Falta de intimidad si sois varias parejas
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