I come here often and sometimes no photos nor stories just drive by ,its personal for me. My mother Gladys, my wife Martine lies in the ocean buried at sea, and now my dear father Elio is on its way there too . I guess I am next in line,,,,,,,,,,The special that attract them and us here was the Fête des Marins ,and we have come several times I believe this post is an update of our first Navy/marines Festival or Fête des Marins, it was their 152nd edition back in May 2013. Hope you enjoy the post as I.
For the newbies, the tourist office offers an inmense amount of information and the latest news on Honfleur (I am on email alerts). The second most visited place in Normandy after Mont Saint Michel. We admire the architecture, the history of seamen and discoveries such as Samuel Champlain who discoverd Quebec in Canada. The seafood and cider, and calvados all around you, the friendly folks always willing to chat with you and even offer you a treat in a store; this is my Honfleur. I am glad I can again share it with my readers and family.
We arrive early so rather than the pale hotel breakfast we headed for the Cafe de Paris on 2 quai des passengers , and had the first encounter with the fisherman and tales of their stories as far as New Zealand. Just around the corner from the boat ramps on your way to the jardin public and the statues of personages of the city.
We walked around visiting many places of old ,and several posts in the blog, These were the Church St Leonard, and the lavoirs or laundry baths, or the great Church of Sainte Catherine with its Mass on the fisherman and their marine brothers. We walk and walk all over after having park our car in the nice parking de la mole for four euros per day! We re-visited the Lieutenant ,the old house by the bassin vieux port.
Before hitting the seas we stop by for the usual wonderful breads and sweets at Aux Blé d’Or bakery at 41 rue du Dauphin, wonderful all home made by the best in town and always a stop.
We took a boat ride into the majestic pont de normandie , on the Jolie France (see post) ,and update,this boat has been replaced by a new boat name Ville de Honfleur , my experiences with the previous boat was with great folks keeping you at bay of the time by sms telephone messaging, wonderful service. We took the ride into the water we enjoy so much as a family for many years and remember coming here with my family
We had our lunch around the same area as breakfast by the quai des passengers almost across from the jardin public, the Bistrot à Crêpes. Very nicely serve with great steaks, burgers,and salads, good coffees, great ice cream italian homemade, and the beer heineken.
However, the main interest to come here over the weekend of Pentecôte is the Fête des Marins! It all begins on Saturday 18 May, with sailing and races on the vieux Bassin, expositions of model boats at the petit Grenier à Sel, photos on this year the 100th coronation ceremony at the Church Notre Dame de Grâce in the côte de grâce hill. Sunday 19 May you have the big Mass at the Church of Sainte Catherine at 10h and later the depart of the parade of Amis Honfleurais to the monument of the fallen at sea where a large ceremony is held. We went to Mass service for the Fête des Marins ,and were there early before service.
From 14h45 the big blues concert by JJ Blues by the carrousel/Lieutenant area in the vieux bassin. AT 17h the boarding of the Officials for the benediction at sea, and at 21h choral concert Scamlevilla at the Church of Saint Leonard . Monday 20 May, you come to the assembly in front of the Hôtel de Ville. By 9h a parade on the streets of Honfleur by more than 100 musicians, boat models,, children, officials, city,regional representatives and the people. You see the laying of a wreath on the monument to the French memory or monument du souvenir français and on the monument to the fallen or monument aux Morts, the church officials will join us in front of the Church of Saint Catherine. At 10h the banner of Pierre Berthelot is given to a chosen mariners/fisherman and sign the book of gold in the chapel of the Church Notre Dame de Grâce. By 10h30 Mass in plein air with the benediction of the marines and boats and service for the dead. 12h30 we returned to the Hôtel de Ville with chanting of the La Marseillaise national anthem,and by 13h the diplomas given to the winning of the military preparation for the Normandie region.
The RestaurantGuru reviews on the Café de Paris :https://restaurantguru.com/Le-Cafe-de-Paris-Honfleur
The RestaurantGuru reviews on the Aux Blé d’Or: https://restaurantguru.com/Aux-Bles-dOr-Honfleur
The Ville de Honfleur (Jolie France) boat ride :https://www.promenade-en-bateau-honfleur.fr/jolie-france/promenade/
The official Bistrot à Crêpes resto: https://www.lesappartsdagnes.com/bistrot-a-crepes
The Honfleur tourist office on the next Fête des Marins: https://www.ot-honfleur.fr/visiter-decouvrez/agenda/fete-des-marins-a-honfleur/
There you go folks, another wonderful trip to our dear Honfleur, and the nice traditional Fête des Marins. We will be back, very soon stay tune, this update is a prelude to come, After all we will be back as we never left. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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