The creation of the “Vieux Bassin” harbour was initiated by Louis XIV’s minister Colbert. The rich and stately houses on the Quai St-Etienne were not as popular among painters and artists flocking to the town as the high and narrow dwellings on the opposite Quai Ste-Catherine. At the entrance of the basin one finds La Lieutenance (D), the 17th century residence of the lieutenant du roi, or governor of Honfleur. Make your way around the harbour to La Lieutenance. The Rue de Logettes leads from La Lieutenance (and the former city gate Porte de Caen attached to it) to the Place Ste-Catherine, named after the interesting church in its centre. This quarter was only attached to the Quartier de L’Enclos in the 19th century by filling in the old moats. It is a lovely area with lots of shops.

The Ste-Catherine (E) church, pictured above, was built following the Hundred Years’ War. The residents of Honfleur wanted to immediately honour God for making the English leave and decided not to wait until masons and other craftsmen became available to build their church. They built it themselves using local shipwrights and shipbuilding techniques, as can be seen in the wooden vaulting. The vaulting of the principal nave resembles an inverted ship’s hull. The second nave has lovely polychrome sculptures. Notice the bell tower springing from the operators’ housing next to the church. Walk past the tower into the Rue des Lingots and then left onto the Rue de L’Homme de Bois. Continue until you see Musée Municipal Eugène Boudin (F) on your left. Built in 1974 to honour the distinguished Honfleur-born pre-Impressionist, this museum displays his work as well as that of Jongkind, Dubourg, Monet and Dufy. (Unfortunately, Boudin’s best work is in the United States.) The museum also has an impressive display of traditional costumes, hats and lace.