Rouen - excursion to Honfleur - Sunday 27 August

Very early this morning we docked in the capital of Normandy - Rouen. We will remain docked here for two days.

This morning we thoroughly enjoyed our half-day excursion to Honfleur (about one and a quarter hours away by tour bus - just about everyone went). It was a glorious morning, not too hot, and before it got too busy with tourists.

Honfleur is an very picturesque port and fishing town set in the Seine estuary, and close to the English Channel, opposite the city of Le Havre (accessible via a huge bridge). We enjoyed a one-hour guided tour of the town, and then a quiet hour on our own, before the return journey to the boat.

Originally a Viking port, the 17th century harbour is ringed with 15th and 16th century buildings, very narrow and very high too! The town dates from the 11th century and changed hands between France and England many times during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453). From the 16th to 19th centuries Honfleur was a centre for trade with North America and Asia. Indeed, the French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed to Canada from here in 1608 and founded Quebec. The 19th century painter, Eugène Boudin lived in Honfleur, and attracted visits from others including Monet. The musician, Erik Satie was also born here. Honfleur was lucky to escape World War II bombings - and so we were able to appreciate the beauty of this old, quaint and colourful town.

We loved walking around the old port, and along the narrow cobbled streets. We saw the old surviving gatehouse (remaining from the original fortified wall), a bronze bust of Samuel de Champlain, many old timber-framed Norman buildings, the Rue de la Prison, old cobbled courtyards, the old salt warehouse with its old wooden ceiling, and I got a peak into the wooden and wood-shingled St Catherine's Church. Fortunately, a World War II bomb that had fallen through the roof of the church did not explode! The separate bell tower was also quite unique.









David and I sat and enjoyed the wonderful views across the ancient harbour, with a glass of cider brut each - a very popular local drink. We decided not to sample the local salted caramel, and might taste the Calvados apple brandy later - an acquired taste, according to some of the other passengers.



We returned to the ship for a late 1:30pm lunch, where I have to say I endulged in two small plates of the best casserole I have ever had - a Boeuf bourguignon. Wow - I described it as stunning, and Jill described it as exquisite. Then, we relaxed in the lounge for the afternoon - it was quite hot outside - 28C). We will have a tour of the town of Rouen tomorrow, and I have to say that this lunch and afternoon were my most relaxing time of the whole trip.

Dinner this evening was our booking at the Chef's Table restaurant at the stern of the boat, with their very gourmet degustation menu. Some of us struggled with the escargots, but I did eat a couple of millimetres of the end of one... Mark helped us out with the others!






In the lounge after dinner, I sampled the Calvados brandy.... I managed probably a teaspoonful!