L'Absinthe Hotel

The Park and Seine Promenade

by JohnnySpangles

It's not particularly attractive... but if you want a bit of sea air then head north west of the harbour area and take a walk westwards alongside the Seine. You can see Le Havre on the other side and also the Pont De Normandie, one of Europe's most spectacular bridges. There's also a park if you head west that has little statues of French 'heroes'. All okay if you want to get away from the tourist tack of the harbour.

Musée du Vieux Honfleur

by dimilag

This place celebrates the unique cultural and aesthetic contributions of Normandy to the rest of Europe. You'll find old furniture, lace headdresses, embroidery, candle-making equipment, and farm implements, as well as several rooms outfitted with period art and antiques.

Admission 3€ adults, 1.80€ students and children 10-18, free for children under 10

Honfleur

by Andrew_W_K

"Jewel on the Normandy coast"

Follow the Normandy corniche until it reaches the point where the Seine joins the sea and there lies the town of Honfleur. The harbour area is particulalry beautiful - one of the prettiest harbours in northern France. No doubt as a legacy of Monet artists still come here to paint the harbour and the picturesque facades of the buildings that surround it.

"Bell tower"

The church of Ste.-Catherine in Honfleur is fairly unique in this part of France as it is built from wood. More unusual still is the wooden bell tower that stands apart from the church and has become one of the most popular tourist sights.

"Slate fronted houses"

What better defense from the driving rain of northern europe than good old slate? Most of the roofs of northern europe have used this material for centuries but in Honfleur they went a step further and used it to face the houses making an unusual sight for artists and tourists alike.

Honfleur

by royalempress

"Honfleur the seaman's port"

Honfleur has often been refered to as the city of artists. Many of the famous artists have made Honfleur their home while they painted. In todays time, there are always many street side artist painting and selling their canvases.
Honfluer has been considered a seaman's working port. In todays time fishermen and local pleasure boaters use the port. The entrance to the port is silting up from the river Seine and the port is only useful on high tides. The commercial boats always time their departures and return on the local tide chart. There is also a locks which helps keep the immediate harbor clear silting.
There is a lot of shopping but it tends to be upscale and expensive. Lots of art and antique shops.
Honfleur is really a great town to stroll in. The population is 8,500 so it not to small to spend the afternoon exploring.
We spent 5 nights in Honfleur and used it as a base to see Normandy. This picture was taken from our hotel room.

"Pleasure boats ring the "Old Harbor""

Many of the boats tied up in the harbor are there for only the night. It is a popular place for boaters who tie up next to the walls and are close to the happenings on shore.
The river Seine is located between the town of Le Havre and Honfluer and is constantly silting up the outer harbor making the transit of boats difficult. In 1994 a new, beautiful, bridge was built connecting the two towns. Le Havre has a large port and has many ferries that can take you to Great Britain. We thought Le Havre to be a large town without any particular charm, more a port city. In contrast Honfluer was small and had loads of charm.

"New Port"

The view from our hotel room of the "New Port"

How to climb on a straw bundle - advices of a pro

by Muya

"Step 1 : concentration"

First of all, the most important thing is the concentration. Just picture yourself how you 're going to manage the whole thing…the height of the obstacle, the strenght of the wind, etc…
And believe in yourself !

"Step 2 : the run up"

When you've figured it all, the second important thing is the run up... veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery important the run up ! It should avoid you to do…

"Step 3 : jump but believe in it !"

... this :-)

"Step 4 : help !!!!"

Well maybe it ain’t the right way of proceeding for everyone... Sometimes, approaching the obstacle can be frightening. Lets try another one… What about asking your friends for some help ? What? NO I’m not THAT heavy !!!

"Step 5 : don't fall on the other side now !"

Theeeere, much easier when someone gives you a hand…or a leg up :-) See ? I’m almost on top …

(Jeeeeeeeesus, all this for a stupid picture...)

"Step 6 : position yourself"

And there I am, finally… Thank you Linda !
Well…yes, I admit that I didn’t upload all the pictures between step 1 and 6…it would have been waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too boring and uncomfortable for me :-)

"Step 7 : the result"

The final result after long minutes of intensive efforts… and scratches due to the straw…
Smiiiiiiiiile, girls, don't let the pain show :-)

"Step 8 : alternative to the result"

Well if you can't have all of you climb on the bundle, or if you simply want to avoid the scratches, you can opt for this option. Nice picture as well, isn't it ?
Could be an add for Belles des Champs :-)