Much painted by the native Eugene Boudin, along with Corot, Monet and others, Honfleur has been recognised as one of the jewels of the Normandy coast for a long while. The town was spared significant damage in WWII and retains a medieval aspect with an enchanting harbour surrounded by ancient grey stone buildings and a wooden church built by ships’ carpenters dating from the fifteenth century.

Situated on the south bank of Seine, access is via the Chenal de Rouen whose seaward end is marked by red and green buoys and which is bounded further in by sometimes submerged training walls. Do not underestimate the strength of the tide in the Seine estuary which can run at up to 5 knots. This makes it essential to enter on the flood and leave on the ebb, while even having taken these precautions skippers need to be wary of being carried on to buoys or other obstacles by the strength of the stream. There is a sketch map on the website of the Cercle Nautique Honfleur.

To gain access to the Vieux Bassin, which is the favoured place to moor up for small to medium sized yachts, you first need to negotiate the lock opening off the river which is just upstream of no.19 green buoy. Recommended procedure is to arrive between LW Le Havre + 1.30 and HW Le Havre - 1 and to leave between HW Le Havre -1 and LW Le Havre. The lock operates 24 hours a day, opening for inbound traffic on the hour and outbound on the half hour. Entry through the lock takes you into the Avant Port, which opens to starboard at the fork, and is where large yachts may lie as directed by the harbourmaster.

From the Avant Port you can proceed on to the Vieux Bassin past the bridge which during the 2008 season opened daily at 0830, 0930, 1030, 1130, 1630, 1730, 1830 and 1930. Check opening times on the website. At other times of the day moor up where possible in the Avant Port to await admission to the elect of the Vieux Bassin.

Once inside, visitors’ moorings are in the middle section of the quay to starboard and rafting up is usually necessary. Be prepared for incessant scrutiny by the idle populace, especially if your craft is antique or otherwise picturesque, but you will give as good as you get as you sit gazing at your film set like surroundings. Dues are payable at 8 rue St Antoine off the east side of the basin. Restaurants, too many to mention, range from the good to the superlative.

© 2008 Yachtpilot