Le Havre / Honfleur - June 20th to 24th

On our last morning in Valenciennes, we picked up a rental car and drove a little less than 200 miles to Le Havre for our next match. Our AirBnB was actually in Honfleur, which is across the Seine from Le Havre - which turned out to be a bit of a problem. Our first match in Le Havre was in the evening of our first day in the area. We decided to drive to the match and find a place to eat near the stadium. The match was our first glimpse of the US, who were playing Sweden that night. All went well, with the US winning 2-0. After the match, however, we encountered a terrible traffic mess getting back to Honfleur. It took us nearly 2 hours to make the 20 minute drive! Oy!

Anyway, Honfleur is a lovely place, but it is packed with tourists. Really... packed. We had 4 nights in Honfleur and we spent a bunch of our free time getting out of the city. More on our trips from the city in other posts.

Honfleur is especially known for its old port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages, painted many times by artists, including in particular Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet and Johan Jongkind, forming the école de Honfleur (Honfleur school) which contributed to the appearance of the Impressionist movement.

Our Rental Car: Sir Rance-a-rot
Boscherville France Jumieges Le Havre Rouen
Americans in Le Havre
We stopped at a little tavern near the Le Havre stadium to have dinner before the match. It was not good food, but it got us through the evening. There were nothing but Americans as far as the eye could see. Everyone was in a good mood, sharing their stories with each other. It was fun.
Thorns Fans!
This group were all from Portland and were big Thorns supporters. It was amazing how many Thorns shirts and hats that we saw throughout France on our journey. It was, by far, the most popular club team represented at the World Cup. Way to go Thorns Fans!
Le Havre Stadium - Stade Océane
The View from our Seats
US vs Sweden in the group stage. The US won 2-0.
The Great Horan!
Lindsay Horan scored a goal and then celebrated right in front of us.
A Video Tour of our AirBnB
The old houses of Honfleur were built tall and slim. They were built for the fishermen and their families.
Just click on the picture above and it will launch the video.
Honfleur
Notice the tall, slim buildings.
Honfleur Old Port
The population of Honfleur has hovered between 8,000 and 9,000 since 1793
Honfleur
Honfleur Old Port
Honfleur Old Port
Honfleur Fishing Boat and Nets
Saint-Catherine's Church
The first nave is the oldest part of the building, dating to the second half of the 15th century, constructed right after the Hundred Years War. It was built on the model of a market hall, using naval construction techniques, which gives the impression of an upside-down ship's hull. The famous "Axe masters" of the naval yards of the city created this lovely building without using any saws, just like their Norman ancestors and the Vikings before them.
Saint-Catherine's Church
The church is partially covered in chestnut shingles, which are called "essentes" in the local dialect.
Saint-Catherine's Church
Saint-Catherine's Church
The beams used to create the pillars of the nave and the side walls are of unequal length, because there were no oak trees long enough to construct them uniformly. Also, some have a footing of stone, some of greater or lesser height, and some have no footing.
Saint-Catherine's Church
Saint-Catherine's Church
Outdoor Musicians at Music Fest
We happened to be in town for the annual Music Fest. There were various musicians playing throughout town.
Outdoor Musicians at Music Fest
Note the matching shoe color / scarf color on each performer.
Window in Honfleur
A Strange Carousel at the Satie Museum
This unusual and intriguing complex captures the whimsical spirit of the eccentric avant-garde composer Erik Satie (1866–1925), who lived and worked in Honfleur and was born in one of the two half-timbered maisons Satie (Satie houses). Visitors wander through the beguiling rooms, each concealing a surreal surprise, as a headset plays Satie’s strangely familiar music.
Among the rooms, visitors will encounter various bizarre sights: a giant mechanised monkey, a white self-playing piano, an oversized pear with flapping wings and an anthem-playing carousel ride powered by you (in the video above).
View of Honfleur from the Hilltop
Church Bells at a Small Church on the Hilltop Above Honfleur
One of the old City Gates of Honfleur
Samuel De Champlain
The Founder of Quebec City made several voyages out of Honfleur in the early 1600's.
Half-Timbered House
That's right, this style of building is called Half-Timbered. Honfleur has many examples of this style.
Random Bicycle
Honfleur Old Port Panorama
Boscherville France Jumieges Le Havre Rouen
Yellow Vesters
Have you heard about the "Yellow Vest" protests throughout France this year? Well, now we understand why everyone is so scared by them - they look terrifying!
Au Relais Des Cyclistes
We ate here twice (on Rick Steves' recommendation) and enjoyed it both times.

Wade Owens Photography

Le Havre / Honfleur - June 20th to 24th