Art, history, nature… Honfleur is a city of culture, rich in architecture and museums (for its size). Here’s our list of Honfleur’s museums, with useful tips in pictures!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Museums in Honfleur
Honfleur has 4 main museums run in conjunction with the town, and other museum-like venues. There’s something for everyone: sculptures, paintings, music, history, marine, nature…
If you’re short on time, we’d like to give you our top recommendation:
- Eugène Boudin Museum with beautiful works of art on Honfleur and the estuary
- Ethnographic museum to find out more about the history of life in Honfleur.
And for more ideas, see our article on the best attractions in Honfleur.
1. Eugène Boudin Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Discover a rich collection of pre-impressionist and contemporary paintings of Honfleur, the estuary and Normandy.
You’ll find works by Boudin, Courbet, Monet, Dufy…
Of course, given the painter’s origins and the museum’s name, you’ll find many works by Eugène Boudin (over 90), including pastels and oil paintings.
Our favorite moments
- The architecture of the building on the second floor, which showcases the works of art.
- The large bay window next to the master paintings of the region
- The magnificent nuances in Impressionist paintings
Useful tips
- 5min walk from the old port – Rue de l’Homme de Bois
- Tour duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Full adult price: 6 to 8 euros
- Opening hours: Open every day except Tuesday – 10am to 12pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm minimum
- Link to the official museum website here
Find out more in our dedicated article.
WHERE TO STAY IN Honfleur
Option 1:
Choose a historic house near the old port.
- Hotel Absinthe – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2:
Choose a hotel higher up for more peace and quiet while remaining close.
- Hotel La Maison de Lucie – see prices, pictures and availability
Option 3:
A bit of luxury in the surrounding countryside.
- the magnificent Saint-Siméon Farm – see prices, photos and availability
2. Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art
Why visit it? Our review
The Musée d’Ethnographie et d’Art Populaire is housed in an old 16th-century timber-framed house. The exterior alone is quite impressive.
Inside, you’ll find a number of rooms with objects and scenes presenting exhibits on domestic and economic life in Normandy from the 16th to the 19th century (merchant’s store, shoemaker’s workshop and headdress room).
Our favorite moments
- The magnificent half-timbered building
- The inner courtyard and remains of the fortifications
- Headdress and costume room
Useful tips
- Located near the Old Basin, in an alleyway
- Tour duration: 1h to 1h30
- Full adult price: 4 euros
- Opening hours: Open every day except Tuesday – 10am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm minimum
- Link to the official museum website here
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
3. Maisons Satie Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The Musée Maisons Satie in Honfleur is dedicated to the composer and musician Erik Satie, who was born here in 1866.
It’s an atypical museum, not easily accessible to everyone. We highly recommend it if you are already familiar with the artist’s work.
You’ll discover an immersive scenographic and musical journey, paying tribute to Satie’s creative and avant-garde work.
Our favorite moments
- The charm of a half-timbered house
- The whole experience with a scenography that combines sound, light, images and objects, in a whimsical and humorous setting.
Useful tips
- 67 Bd Charles V, 5 min walk from the port
- Duration of the visit: 1 hour
- Full adult fare: €6.40
- Opening hours: Every day except Tuesday, 10am-6pm
- Link to the official museum website here.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
4. Musée de la Marine
Why visit it? Our review
Honfleur’s Musée de la Marine is housed in the former church of Saint-Étienne. Here you’ll discover historical and maritime collections: models, engravings and objects linked to the port between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Learn more about Honfleur’s maritime life (fishing, trade, shipbuilding) with paintings, watercolors and drawings.
Our favorite moments
- The surprise of a museum in a church setting
- Engravings showing the changing topography of the port and the town around it
Useful tips
- In the old church of Saint-Étienne, around the port
- Tour duration: 1h to 1h30
- Full adult price: €5.5
- Opening hours: Open every day except Tuesday – 10am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm minimum
- Link to the official museum website here
5. Naturospace
Why visit it? Our review
Naturospace is a 1,000 m² tropical greenhouse with an equatorial climate. You’ll discover lush plants (over 350 plant species) and a thousand butterflies in the wild, as well as exotic birds. Get ready for hundreds of colors!
Our favorite moments
- Every time we admire a butterfly or a bird!
Useful tips
- 5 min drive from Honfleur town center, north of town
- Duration of the visit: 1 hour
- Full adult price: €10.50
- Opening hours: March to mid-November, minimum 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Official museum website here
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6. La Lieutenance Museum
Why visit it? Our review
La Lieutenance is an emblematic historic building on the edge of the old harbor. This museum plunges you into Honfleur’s maritime history, with exhibits spread over several rooms and terraces.
Exhibitions tell you more about the port and its evolution over the centuries.
Our favorite moments
- The different views of the monument from the outside
- View of the port from the building
- The historic passageway under the building
Useful tips
- At the edge of the Old Basin
- Duration of the visit: 1 hour
- Book your visit here
- Full adult fare: 6 euros
7. La Mora
Why visit it? Our review
La Mora is a project for the reconstruction of William the Conqueror’s flagship, based on experimental archaeology.
It’s a different kind of experience, a mix of building site and show (with light shows and special effects), allowing visitors to discover 11th-century construction techniques.
Our 3 favorite moments
We haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, so we’ll get back to you!
Useful tips
- Near the lock
- Full adult price: 15 euros
- Opening hours: closed on Mondays, at least from 10am to 5pm
- Official museum website here
DISCOVER Honfleur
- Best things to do in Honfleur
- Where to sleep in Honfleur: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Honfleur: our best restaurants
- Best museums
- Visit the surpicious Sainte Catherine’s Church
- Discover the Eugène Boudin Museum
- Honfleur or Deauville or Cabourg: where to go?
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
