Honfleur Transportation

In June/July 2006 we had a 9 day driving holiday in France. We caught a car ferry from Dover to Calais, drove down through Normandy, popped into Brittany and then caught the ferry back to Dover from Boulogne-sur-Mer.

We chose to take our own car over, as the cost of the ferry and petrol was significantly cheaper than flying from London and hiring a car in France. I also feel a lot more comfortable travelling in our own car as opposed to a hire car.

The only negative thing about driving our car in France is that it is a right hand drive car, and French cars are left hand drive, which means that tolls/tickets machines etc are on the wrong side of the car for the driver to operate…luckily I was able to assist in these duties from the passenger seat, but I do feel sorry for the solo traveller in these situations.

Driving in France is great. The roads are good and the sign posting is excellent. You can hoon along on the wide tollways/freeways, or travel along pretty coastal roads, soaking up the atmosphere of the French countryside. Just remember which side of the road you have to drive on if you come over from the UK.

When we drove into Honfleur, we travelled along the A29/E44 so we could drive over the fabulous Pont de Normandie - even the toll of 5 euro was worth it!

As you come in on the main road to Honfleur you'll come down a big tree-lined road. Once the buildings start you'll see a sign on the left that says 'Free Parking'..or Parking Gratuit or whatever it is in French! You have to go up a ramp to the parking spaces (it's near a doctor's surgery) and you do wonder if it's a legitimate car park...it is.

Take this kind offer of free parking because once you get stuck in the queue to get into Honfleur you'll be there for hours. The car park is only about a 10 minute walk from town centre. Alternatively there are parking meters down this road, these are your second best option...but DON'T TAKE THE CAR INTO HONFLEUR..you have been warned! If the bridge is up you'll be there for hours.