NORMANDY - France 2014 - page 407

Of the harbor-front options, Café de l'Hôtel de Ville owns the best afternoon sun
exposure (and charges for it) and looks across to Honfleur's soaring homes (open daily
July-Aug, closed Tue off-season, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, tel. [phone]).
Breakfast: If it's even close to sunny, skip your hotel breakfast and enjoy ambience
for a cheaper price by eating on the port, where several cafés offer petit déjeuner (€3-7 for
continental fare, €7-13 for more elaborate choices). Morning sun and views are best from
the high side of the harbor. If price or companionship matter, head to the Travel Coffee
Shop for the best breakfast deal in town (described earlier).
Dessert: Honfleur is ice-cream crazy, with gelato and traditional ice cream shops on
everycorner.IfyouneedaBen&Jerry'sicecreamfixorascrumptiousdessertcrêpe,find
the waterfront stand at the southeast corner of Vieux Bassin.
Nighttime Food to Go: Order a tasty pizza to go until late from Il Parasole (2 Rue
Haute, tel. [phone]), and enjoy a picnic dinner with port views a few steps away in
front of the La Lieutenance gatehouse.
Nightlife: Nightlife in Honfleur centers on the old port. Three bar/cafés sit almost
side byside, halfway upthe high-building side ofthe port.All offerwaterfront tables ifall
youwant isadrink: Le Marin (average), L'Albatross (pub-like with flags, banners, anda
loyal following), and Le Perroquet Vert (existential—“those lights are so...”).
Le Vintage, just off the port, is a happening bar/café with live piano and jazz on
weekend nights. Casual outdoor seating and a vigorous interior make this a fun choice
(closed Tue, 8 Quai des Passagers, tel. [phone]).
Honleur Connections
There's no direct train service to Honfleur. The fastest and easiest way to connect to
trains is to take the PrestoBus express—line #39—to Caen or Le Havre, but be aware
that it runs only two or three times a day. Two slower bus routes connect Honfleur with
Le Havre, Caen, Deauville, and Lisieux—all with direct rail service to Paris. Bus #50
runs between Le Havre, Honfleur and Lisieux; bus #20 connects Le Havre, Honfleur,
Deauville, and Caen. Although train and bus service usually are coordinated, confirm
your connection with the helpful staff at Honfleur's bus station (English information desk
open Mon-Fri 9:30-12:00 & 13:00-18:00, in summer also Sat-Sun, tel. [phone],
www.busverts.fr ). If the station is closed, you can get schedules at the TI. Railpass-hold-
ers will save money by connecting through Deauville, as bus fares increase with distance
(Deauville to Honfleur-€2.30, Lisieux to Honfleur-€4.50).
From Honfleur by Bus and/or Train to: Caen (expressbuses2-3/day,1hour;more
scenic par la côte 4/day direct, 2 hours); Bayeux (6-7/day, 1.5-3 hours; options are 1-hour