Shopping in Honfleur, France: A Cruiser’s Guide to Handcrafted Art, Fashion, Food, & Vintage Treasures
The Port of Le Havre is one of the busiest ports in the world, serviced by all of the major and luxury cruise lines, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Holland America, Seabourne, Oceania, Viking, and more - including my ship, the Emerald Princess.
Emerald Princess
For cruise passengers docking at the Port of Le Havre, one of Normandy’s most enchanting towns is just a 30-minute taxi ride away. Honfleur, one of France’s most colorful coastal towns, exudes coastal charm with its storybook harbor, half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and vibrant collection of local boutiques, art galleries, fashion, foods, and artisan shops. Enter: My guide to shopping in Honfleur.
Honfleur, France
Honfleur’s artistic traditions, shaped by the light that inspired Impressionist painters, its seaside setting and regional folk heritage. Generations of French artisans have worked with clay, linen, wood, and natural fibers drawn from the surrounding Normandy countryside and shoreline. Craft here is personal and small-scale, often produced in intimate ateliers where makers preserve time-honored techniques.
Where to Shop in Honfleur
The first thing you notice about Honfleur is the light. It shimmers across the Vieux-Bassin, reflects off slate rooftops, and glows against medieval façades that have inspired artists for centuries. But beyond the postcard beauty lies something equally compelling for travelers who love to shop local: a wonderfully walkable collection of boutiques, art galleries, leather ateliers, and specialty food shops that reflect Normandy’s history, creativity, and coastal spirit.
Markets are the heartbeat of Honfleur. The traditional Saturday market is where Honfleur’s artisans and makers come alive. Located at Place Sainte-Catherine, visitors discover a plethora of local crafts, fabrics, ceramics, and basketry. However, even on non-market days, the town brims with galleries, vintage shops, fashion ateliers, and specialty producers of local delicacies.
Here are Honfleur’s best shopping districts and what to expect in each location:
Old Harbor: Home to painters’ studios, ceramic workshops, and artisan food boutiques.
Rue de la République & Rue du Dauphin: Both are lined with Art Galleries and small studios, some with working artists visible inside.
Rue Cachin: A lively street with boutiques offering fashion and handcrafted accessories.
Maisons Satie & Nearby Arts Quarter: Around the museum honoring Erik Satie, you’ll find clusters of artisan shops, galleries, and workshops.
Antique & Vintage Shops: Located throughout Honfleur’s medieval streets. glass art, wood carving, and mixed-media studios are waiting to be discovered.
Contemporary Art Galleries Meet Traditional French Life in Honfleur
Honfleur’s artistic legacy is legendary — and it continues today. Many spaces focus on Normandy-inspired work, capturing the coastal light, maritime landscapes, and the rhythm of everyday French life. Others showcase contemporary, abstract compositions, innovative techniques, and fresh interpretations of French design.
Le Forge
As a working studio and exhibition space, Le Forge showcases Florence Marie’s original works in the very environment where they are created – throughout her home, garden, and underground cavern. Her paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and carvings are inspired by the jovial atmosphere and maritime character of Normandy.
Bois de Rose
A charming boutique gallery that blends local artistic flair with curated décor and French design. The shop showcases a mix of decorative accessories, sculptural metal art pieces, and artisan goods that reflect both contemporary creativity and the town’s artistic heritage.
Galerie Sainte Catherine
One of the town’s renowned art destinations, this space celebrates modern and contemporary art, showcasing a rotating selection of works by both French and international artists. Galerie Sainte Catherine curates an elegant setting that complements the charm of the surrounding maritime architecture.
French Panache and Coastal Scents in Honfleur
Honfleur’s unique boutiques capture that chic, effortless French sophistication coveted by fashionable travelers from around the world. From hats and sweaters to shoes and accessories, a visit to these shops, including recommended ones like Boutique Léon, Gris Pomme, and Acanthe, will add French style and flair to your home wardrobe.
Galerie Mouce
This thoughtfully curated boutique in Honfleur celebrates handmade crafts such as handcrafted jewelry and creative design, often using mixed metals, natural stones, and distinctive techniques that give each piece a unique personality. From sculptural cuffs and delicate pendants to statement earrings and artisan rings, the clothing and accessories at Galerie Mouce reflect a blend of artisanal craftsmanship and wearable art.
Novalande Chapelier Modiste
A boutique run by a maître chapelier (master hatmaker) who brings artisanal expertise to every creation. Novalande Chapelier Modiste offers beautifully made hats for both men and women, from elegant felt designs to coastal straw styles ideal for sunny Normandy days.
Le Cuir du Voyageur
This boutique is filled with colorful leather clothing and accessories such as handbags, belts, shoes, and wallets designed with travelers in mind. Designs are built to age beautifully, developing a rich patina over time. Le Cuir du Voyageur blends classic leather craftsmanship with French style and timeless appeal.
Madame Chamotte
In Honfleur’s historic center, everyday self-care becomes something delightfully fragrant. Among this boutique’s most distinctive offerings are its rock soaps, artisanal soaps shaped like smooth stones, often hand-milled or uniquely formed to mimic the texture and feel of natural rocks. Complementing the soaps is Madame Chamotte’s choice of fragrances, from scented candles and room mists to body sprays and bespoke perfume oils.
Antiques, Nostalgia & Norman Heritage in Honfleur
Honfleur is a treasure trove of antique stores and vintage shops. Many artisanal goods sourced from the region’s cozy cottages and stunning chateaus fill these antique stores.
Mine de Rien
For travelers who love collectibles with a story, Mine de Rien feels like discovering a beautifully curated attic. Expect vintage maritime relics, brass candlesticks, delicate porcelain, and charming French wall art. These antiques and decor make meaningful, nostalgic souvenirs.
Chez Margo
Tucked among Honfleur’s charming historic streets lined with traditional florists, Chez Margot is a delightful vintage and lifestyle boutique where nostalgia meets curated style. While vintage fashion may be part of the appeal, the shop truly shines with its collection of vintage glassware, home décor accents, and beautifully styled interior pieces that feel both timeless and artful.
Le Brocanteri
Open since 1974, this welcoming boutique offers an eclectic selection of vintage and antique furniture, decorative objects, mirrors, porcelain, and collectibles gathered from across the region. Alongside classic flea market finds, Le Brocanteri also incorporates ceramics, sculptures, and paintings by contemporary artists, adding a gallery-like feel to the space.
A Taste of Normandy to Take Home
In Honfleur’s specialty shops and food boutiques, you’ll find an array of packaged local delicacies that capture the flavors of the region, from fresh produce of crisp apple orchards to lush dairy pastures and sharp coastal breezes. Normandy specialties such as cider products, beers, cheeses including Camembert, to meringues, chocolates, and biscuits offer delicious homemade food in Honfleur.
Les Calvados de Sophie
This regional wine and specialty food shop is dedicated to the authentic flavors of Normandy. Sophie, a native of Honfleur, curates a wide selection of locally produced beverages, including apple cider and classic Calvados (Normandy apple brandy) ranging from young and vibrant to older vintages of Calvados.
La Mouette d’Honfleur
The focus at La Mouette d’Honfleur is on high-quality gourmet products such as sea salt varieties and creative spice combinations that go beyond the ordinary, from classic flaked sea salt harvested from nearby coasts to flavored salts infused with herbs, citrus, or regional inspirations. Everything is available in bulk or gift sets, perfect for bringing a taste of Normandy home.
J’irai Revoir Ma Normandie
This boutique celebrates local identity with Normandy-themed décor and Normandy specialties such as biscuits, chocolates, and meringues that feel heartfelt and taste delicious. J’irai Revoir Ma Normandie is the perfect place to find a sweet bite that truly reflects the region.
Why Shopping and Dining in Honfleur Feels So Comforting
What makes shopping in Honfleur, France, special isn’t just the astounding art, crafts, and food; it’s the intimacy. The town is compact, walkable, and filled with welcoming, independent shopkeepers who reflect Normandy’s artistic and maritime heritage. This personal touch makes shopping in Honfleur feel so comforting.
The unique boutiques, each with colorful storefronts, add another layer to Honfleur’s architectural draw. For cruise passengers who believe shopping is about connection to place, to maker, to story, the gift shops position Honfleur as one of the top handcrafted destinations in France.
Love the artisan items featured in the Gallery District but can’t make the trip? Visit our SHOP page to discover similar handcrafted items made by local artisans, delivered straight to your door! I also share my favorite workshops, tours, and classes that turn global travel into a hands-on, unforgettable experience.
Next - Let’s sail the Baltic and North Seas on a Scandinavian Cruise aboard the Emerald Princess. We’ll explore artisan offerings in The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Till then….keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
