Paris1972-Versailles2003

And coming right at you from my beloved Honfleur in the Calvados dept 14 of Normandie and in my belle France! A place that is a must to visit and do see a service going on or come in the mariners festival time or when the Saturday market is on as we do, just awesome.

I have several posts on the Church of Sainte Catherine of Honfleur in my blog. However, one more is worth it me think. And of course, new pictures. Hope you enjoy it as we do.

Coming to see once again the Church of Sainte Catherine by the old basin or port of Honfleur is always gratifying. It offers a unique architectural experience and loving history of the locals, hard earned traditions and just a positive feeling all around it.  just behind the Quai Sainte-Catherine, along the rue des Logettes in the neighborhood of the Faubourg Saint Catherine, bordered by the sea, was the sailors ‘ area.

The Sainte-Catherine Church has the particularity, very rare in France, to be built essentially of wood. The Church is located near the old basin (Vieux Bassin) , just behind the Quai Sainte-Catherine. It is the largest Church built in wood with a bell-tower separated from it in France.

The result is breathtaking. Not to be missed. The Church is dedicated to Sainte Catherine of Alexandria as recalled by a wooden sculpture above the porch of the bell-tower separated from the two naves. She is depicted wearing a wheel and a sword. The bell tower sits apart and host a sacre arts museum of objects found in the church of old.

The city of Honfleur on the Sainte Catherine Church: City of Honfleur on Sainte Catherine Church

The tourist office of Honfleur on Sainte Catherine Church: Tourist office of Honfleur on the Sainte Catherine Church

And I leave you here, as said, plenty of posts on the Church of Sainte Catherine in my blog. However, coming to Honfleur could not resist stopping by again. This is a jewel of France and a must to visit. Hope you enjoy the posts.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

And of course, I am still in Norman lands and in gorgeous Honfleur, dept 14 of Calvados in Normandie and in my belle France! I like to come to a familiar spot which is love by the millions who have passed by here. The Vieux Bassin or old basin port of Honfleur and the Lieutenance. Both of these written before of course, just a bit more of the text with new photos, hope you enjoy it as we did.

The Vieux Bassin or old basin is a port located in the center of the town of Honfleur. Its narrow slate houses are reflected in the basin, making it the main tourist attraction of the town. This floating basin was created at the instigation of Abraham Duquesne and by order of Colbert in 1681. It replaces the old beaching harbor which was much narrower and called havre du dedans or harbor of the interior, given its location inside the battlements. These expansion and deepening works require the destruction of the western part of the ramparts. The work ended in 1684. This basin with an area of about one hectare (10,000 m2) has a length of 130 meters for a width of 70 meters on the south side and 85 meters on the north side where the channel is located. the outer port of Honfleur. It is entirely surrounded by docks accessible to the public.

The rich stone mansions on Quai Saint-Étienne, with two floors and sloping ceilings, contrast with those on Quai Sainte-Catherine, whose narrow and tall houses, up to 7 floors, slender their wooden facades protected with slate (l ‘essentage). The Lieutenance, which dominates the lift bridge, completes this unique ensemble.

Honfleur is today a place of fascination for tourists and artists who discover it. For the locals, the port district is above all a 1000-year-old space, the start of a great history. The vieux basin of Honfleur is undoubtedly the most charming place in the city!

Along the wharf or Quai Sainte Catherine you see wooden houses from the 17C and 18C.  The south side extends the quai Sainte Catherine to the rue Montpensier on an underground stream of La Claire that feeds the basin. The western part is built around some more houses that are part of the Quai Saint-Étienne. One of these houses is the Hôtel de Ville or mayor’s office and the former church of Saint Etienne (St Stephens now the marine museum). On the north side or sea side you have the Quai de la Quarantaine , and the only building is the Lieutenance that was the home of the lieutenant governor of the King.  There is a movable bridge on the channel towards the front of harbor that makes the tour of the basin final.

A bit ahead of schedule webpage from the City of Honfleur on the Vieux Basin: The city of Honfleur on the Vieux Bassin

The tourist office of Honfleur on the vieux bassin: Tourist office of Honfleur on the Vieux Basin

Oh yes the Lieutenance of course. The old basin cannot be told without it! By the way the clock bell sound every half an hour, nice!

In 1662, the Lieutenance is one of the two gates of Honfleur. Called the Porte de Caen, it will be one of the only accesses from 1682 after the destruction of the Porte de Rouen in 1682. From 1684, the building officially took the name Lieutenance after the creation of the King’s lieutenant’s apartments. of the old basin, the lieutenancy is the last bastion of the medieval Honfleur, last vestige of the ramparts, dismantled at the end of the 17C by order of Colbert. The Lieutenancy (Eng), as we see it nowadays, is the result of many renovations over the centuries. The most westerly part of the gate was redone, the present façade dating from the 16C.

The City of Honfleur on the Lieutenance: City of Honfleur on the Lieutenance

The tourist office of Honfleur on the Lieutenance: Tourist office of Honfleur on the Lieutenance

And there you folks, the entry presentation to the city of Honfleur. The world moves by here and you are welcome ::) By now it has become harder for us to post on it or put up photos as well it does not matter, Honfleur is special! Hope you have enjoy the ride so far, hang tight there is more.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!