More about Honfleur
Why Cruise to Honfleur?
Honfleur has an array of worthwhile sites and activities, from museums to charming cafes -- and you can walk to it all
You might need to pay a small fee to use a public bathroom
There's so much to do, see and eat in this absolutely beautiful medieval town
Honfleur Cruise Port Facilities?
It simply doesn't get any better than this. Shops, museums, restaurants, cafes, pharmacies and a grocery store are all within a couple of blocks of where you're docked. To get your bearings, find the tourism office with the big "I" (for information) just across the street from where ships berth. To its left are an ATM and a full-service grocery called Petit Casino that has a nice selection of wines. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on Sundays when it closes at 7 p.m. To the right from the tourism office and up a little hill is a pharmacy. Just look for the green cross. While everything you might need or want is right in front of you, be sure to climb toward Sainte-Catherine's Church and away from the dock to appreciate Honfleur in full.
Good to Know?
A few of the public toilets in town are the primitive sort: a porcelain hole in the floor with footpads. The toilets with the handicap sign offer more traditional treatment. There are also nice toilets at the tourism office. Be sure to carry local pocket change with you. Many of the public toilets cost a small fee to use.
Getting Around?
Honfleur is absolutely walkable, and the heart of town around the harbor is completely flat. For those who might need it, there is a taxi stand next to the library, which is attached to the tourism office.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The French use the euro. For current currency conversions and wallet-size cheat sheets, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com. Historically, ATM's have been the cheapest way to get local money. However, many banks are now charging fees ranging from $1 to $5 every time you use an ATM in a foreign city. As a result, you may want to limit the number of withdrawals you make.
Language?
French -- and pretty much exclusively. Little English is spoken, even in the restaurants and shops. But with gestures and a few of the French basics, it's easy enough to communicate. One important reminder: Before ordering a glass of wine or asking someone where the toilet is, say "Bonjour." It means "Good day" or "Hello." It is considered impolite to launch into a conversation without offering a greeting first. For some fun, try out "cou cou" in that high-pitched voice humans usually reserve for dogs and babies. It means hello and goodbye and is insider French. Another neat expression: "O la vache!" It translates as "oh the cow" but means "holy cow" or "oh my gosh."
Where You're Docked?
River ships routinely dock at a quay that adjoins the old harbor right in the center of town. On rare occasions, due to tides and timing, ships may have to dock at a commercial pier some distance away. That pier has no facilities.
