Honfleur France, Thursday 6 June 2019

We arrived in the wee hours of the morning so the night was peaceful for sleeping, no rocking. Awoke in a port of Honfleur, up against the pier, tide out. Leisurely wake-up and now have had breakfast. It is a bit of a slow start, late morning activities, now getting ready to head out. A map of the various walking tours and description of what to expect in this port town.

From the cruise terminal to the town center is 1.6 kilometers. Azamara provide a shuttle, and say it departs every 1/2 hour. There is a number of different walking trails, gardens, tour around the old town. Looks like there is a beach and Mont-Joli to explore later in the day. There is also a petit train for sightseeing tour.

Samuel de Champlain departed in 1608 from Honfleur to found the city of Quebec in the new world 🙂

Medieval town, narrow half-timbered houses, cobbled walkways, sheltered cove, fishermen, traditional buildings, bell tower, monuments,picturesque streets, artists. Art galleries, largest wooden church in France, castle that fortifies the town. River cruises come through here also, docked as many as 3 nights in row …. to see all the points of interest (D-Day beaches, American cemetery, Bayeux Tapestry, Giverny to see where Monet was inspired). Galleries and museums to view artists’ work Monet, Boudin, Corot, Dubourg, Jongkind, and others who gathered to paint in this area in the past. Nestled between Seine estuary and plateau of Pays d’Auge. Temperate climate, high of 18 degrees today expected.

Known for pan-fried frogs legs, foie gras with caramelized apple, cooked oysters with a leek fondue and Champagne sauce, accompanied by varieties of cheeses as local food choices. “Tip included”… “Service compris” in the price of the meal or snack. 17th century salt warehouses now used for exhibitions, previously used to salt cod brought from Newfoundland!

Lots of gardens to enjoy, souvenir shops and galleries. As in many parts of Europe shops close from noon to 2 pm. We can expect to take a walk then up the mont, and on to the beach to dip our toes in the sea before returning to the ship.

Tonight is the White Night party on board Azamara Journey, music, food, dancing on the deck in the beautiful surroundings.

I hope all is well wherever you are. Thanks for following along, we are enjoying bringing you with us wherever we go.

Pamela