HONFLEUR: On the Weekend
 

I'm already in the early planning stages for my France trip in September 2007 with arrival at the CDG airport on a Friday. My first night will be in Les Andelys before heading into Normandy the following morning.

This puts me in Honfleur on a Saturday/Sunday/Monday. My fellow Fodorites have warned against this town on a weekend as it is very busy. Should I try to avoid this or is it really necessary? I will probably drive to Eterat and Deauville/Tourville by day from Honfleur and spend the quiet nights in town.

What are your suggestions?

Honfleur is a favorite week-end spot for Parisians, thus the advice to avoid it then. But I'd rather visit the town when it's crowded than not go at all.

Enjoy Les Andelys--are you staying at La Chaîne d'Or in Petit Andelys? If so, that's a nice little village, but Andelys is also worth a visit. There's a very fine Gothic church to be seen.

Yes, if I am lucky and book early I will be staying at Chaîne d'Or in Petit Andelys.

I hate to leave US on Saturday to avoid the weekend in Honfleur.

Also, is three days too long to spend in Honfleur? I hope to see Etretat and Deauville/Tourville, but don't know what else to see in the area before heading to Bayeux.

tt

I was in Honfleur for two nights on a weekend in early July and didn't mind the crowds. It wasn't really too bad. I parked in a public lot without too much trouble.

If your hotel has parking you won't have to worry about crowds too much as parking would probably be the biggest concern.

We were in Honfleur for a weekend last July (mid-month). We arrived at CDG on Saturday and drove immediatedly to Honfleur - spent Sat afternoon there, Sunday in Etretat and Monday in Honfleur. Tuesday we then went to Bayeux and did a D-day tour.

Crowds? yes, but not overwhelmingly so.

We absolutely loved Etretat! Well worth the visit. We also spent evenings in Honfleur so we didn't have to deal with driving after dinner. Many good choices - especially sitting around the harbor on a warm July evening.

enjoy!

We were in Honfleur on a weekend in September. I think it was in 2000, so it may have changed by now. It was lovely. Lots of people, but that was no problem. We left on Sunday morning for the Normandy beaches and had a wonderful drive, since the roads were quite empty, incluing around Deauville, etc.