Honfleur

One of the most picture-perfect destinations in Normandy, located 185 kilometers northwest of Paris. This charming medieval port town is sure to keep you swooning. Set along the estuary where the Seine river meets the English Channel, Honfleur’s kaleidoscopic Vieux-Bassin, or old harbor, is lined with centuries-old townhouses pretty enough to paint. These scenes were in fact painted by artists including Claude Monet and his native-born mentor, Eugène Boudin, whose noteworthy museum merits a visit. Saint Catherine’s Church nearby, built in the 15^th century, stands tall as France’s largest wooden church. Meanwhile, Honfleur’s oldest church, Saint-Etienne, houses the Marine Museum where you can discover the life and times of what is often considered the pearl of Normandy. End your visit with a swim at nearby sandy beach, la Plage du Butin.