The Vélomaritime/Seine à Vélo: from Honfleur to Pont-l'Évêque

Rental, adventure trail and guided bike tour. Would you like to discover Honfleur and its graceful coastline all the way to Deauville and its flowery coastline? Or ride along the Seine and under the Pont de Normandie? Anthony has a range of itineraries to suit all tastes! From electric and mechanical mountain bikes to Dutch city bikes and children's bikes, Velhonfleur has it all!

Honfleur (formerly Honna Flow then Honnefleu, Scandinavian origin of the name) is a city that documents mention as early as the 11th century when it was one of the important villages of the Duchy of Normandy. As the etymology of its name tells us, the development of Honfleur and the port coincided with the Scandinavian invasions and the settlement of the Normans (the Vikings) from the 9th century in the Bay of the Seine. Its privileged geographical situation, as an estuary port and a seaport, gives it many advantages and determines its double vocation for the centuries to come: the defence of the royal river and the start of great adventures on the ocean sea.

The Garden Discover the Jardin des Personnalités, inaugurated in 2004 by Michel Lamarre, Mayor of Honfleur and instigator of the project. Set on a former mudflat in the estuary, this 10-hectare landscaped area offers a stroll through garden boats, at the center of which stand busts of figures from Honfleur?s historical and cultural heritage. These include gifted local children born in the town, as well as personalities who have lived or stayed here, such as Claude Monet and Charles Baudelaire, to name but a few? A very pleasant walk, both entertaining and informative? The busts Who will you come across on your journey through the garden's winding paths? Painters: Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet, Johan Bartold Jonkind, Léon Leclerc, Alexandre Dubourg Artists : Erik Satie, Alphonse Allais, Charles Baudelaire, Lucie Delarue Mardrus, Comtesse d?Aulnoy Navigators: Binot Lepaulmier de Gonneville, Samuel de Champlain, Jean Doublet, Pierre Berthelot Historical figures: Charles V, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Anne-Marie Louis d?Orléans Since June 2010, the Garden has welcomed two new busts: Françoise Sagan and Michel Serrault. Animations It's true that the Jardin is a little out of the way of the city center, but that's also why its atmosphere is so calm and restful. To bring this unique place to life, several events are organized each year. Le Pique Nique Musical: a day of entertainment for the whole family (in June, from 12 noon), organized by the Tourist Office in partnership with the Erik Satie School of Music, and the School of Music Parents' Association. Everyone is invited to join in this country-style rendezvous in the garden on the banks of the Seine estuary.

Located in Honfleur, the indoor and air-conditioned Naturospace offers an astonishing journey in an Amazonian-style biotope where tropical butterflies fly free. It is home to around a hundred species from South America, South-East Asia and Africa. The plant collections, an essential ingredient in reproducing a natural environment, include several, often rare species, particularly from the Acanthus, Araceous, Heliconia or Orchid families. Particular attention is paid to floral diversity and the presentation of useful tropical plants (fruits and spices). Multicoloured tropical birds can also be seen flying freely. Visit lasts 1 hour.

Discover the last vestiges of the Second World War in Honfleur. Within a 350m2 bunker that could house up to 200 soldiers, an exhibition reunites over 50 period uniforms, documents and photographs.

The houses are home to a scenographic and musical trail that pays tribute to the musician and composer Erik Satie, born here in 1866. The display enables visitors to familiarise themselves with the work of Erik Satie. Audio-guided tour in French or English: 45 minutes/1 hour. Sale of "Pass’ Musées" pass offering access to 3 museums: Maisons Satie, Eugène Boudin Museum and the Musées du Vieux Honfleur.

The Musée d'Ethnographie et d'Art Populaire (Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art) is housed in a beautiful half-timbered house on rue de la Prison. Reconstituted Norman interiors (furniture, objects, costumes, headdresses...) offer a journey back in time to discover folk arts and traditions.

Collection on Normandy’s ethnography, several paintings of Honfleur and the Seine estuary by 19th and 20th century artists (Cals, Dubourg, Jongkind, Monet, Courbet, Pecrus, Dufy, Gernez, etc.), together with a collection of drawings and paintings bequeathed by Eugène Boudin to his birthplace in 1898. Temporary exhibition rooms. Unaccompanied tour time: 1h/1h30. Audio guides available in French and English. Sale of Pass’ Musées passes offering access to 3 museums: Maisons Satie, Eugène Boudin Museum and the Museums of Old Honfleur.

La Lieutenance, the prestigious building at the entrance to Honfleur?s Vieux Bassin, has just been completely restored and is now open to the public. It houses a CIAP on Honfleur?s maritime history and an artists? residence. La Lieutenance is a true witness to the history of the Norman port, spanning the centuries and quite simply the oldest building in the town. It is also the last vestige of the ancient fortifications that surrounded the military city, which was then known as ?La Porte de Caen? and controlled access to the central town of l?Enclos. At the end of the 17th century, the rampart was demolished, and the building was refurbished to house the King?s Lieutenant, from which it takes its current name. What is a CIAP? A Center for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage. It is not a museum, as it has no collection to display. It's a cultural venue that highlights Honfleur's maritime history through a whole range of different media: audio, video, models, digital installations? and of course most of the material is interactive, so it's great fun, and families will love this new site! What can you discover? A permanent exhibition in three rooms and on the building's terraces. The scenography of the exhibition spaces is designed to offer an immersive and active visit for all, through: audio narratives, virtual reconstructions, models, manipulative games, videos? The first room presents a historical approach to the city, with its major stages from its origins to the present day, through a projection on a scale model. The military period is developed. In the second room, visitors discover the different facets that have forged the city?s maritime identity: the great explorations, fishing, maritime trade, shipyards, industrialization of the port, artistic inspiration and production, and the city?s turn as a tourist destination. The third room focuses on the town?s built heritage: building materials and techniques are explained and illustrated by examples from Honfleur. The Waouh moment! Clearly our favorite part of the visit, once we've visited the rooms the tour continues on the Lieutenance?s outdoor terraces. An incredible 360° view overlooking the Honfleur basins. From this elevated spot, we can read the landscape and observe the town, its urban planning and port facilities with the help of scale models, and its evolution over time thanks to virtual reconstructions provided by binoculars. Closed May 1, July 14, November 1 and 11, December 25 But also...an artist?s residence A creative center to promote contemporary art and its artists The residency's mission is to give artistic resonance to our maritime heritage, promote artistic exchange, raise awareness and encourage artistic practices. Artists (visual artists, writers, photographers, musicians, etc.) will be welcomed for part of the year. The aim is to set up artistic and cultural events, multiplying opportunities for communication and exchange between the everyday and the artistic.

Established within the former Dominican convent, a restored 16th and 17th century half-timbered building, the "Pont L'Évêque… the story of a town" exhibition offers you an insight into the history, economy, monuments, residential architecture and personalities of this small Augeron town. Via scale models, interactive terminals and video screens, the town unveils its many secrets. A reproduction of the 17th and 18th century convent garden. Programme of temporary fine arts exhibitions. Guided or unaccompanied tour in French: 1 hour. Art library. Guided tours of Pont l'Évêque's old prison by appointment. Activities for school groups (art and heritage). Conferences.

A visit not to be missed to suit visitors of all ages and origins. A unique and immersive experience that calls upon the five senses and plunges the visitor into the story of the Normans, from their Viking origins to the Liberation. A magical world where apples are transformed into the subtlest of nectars. Your visit is concluded over a taste, so that you can fully grasp and succumb to the charms of calvados.

A digital museum bringing together hundreds of masterpieces from 12 national museums and institutions to be discovered in digital form. This virtual art gallery, combining visual arts, live performances, design and architecture, is a unique and entertaining cultural offering. Whether on your own, with family or friends, the digital museum will give you access to a multitude of treasures. Educational kits reinforce the mediation offered at the Micro-Folie, always with the aim of developing innovative forms of learning to make everyone more aware of art. Art observations, memory games, board games, creative workshops, interactive content... With over 1,700 works from the collections of 12 national and international museums and institutions, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to creating content to explore the major themes of art history, literature, dance and much more. A play area open to all: the Very Mini Lab de