Musée de la Marine, Honfleur

Museum in Honfleur

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Pierre Noël

The Maritime Museum, or Musée de la Marine, is one of the top attractions in Honfleur, beautifully set within the 14th-century Saint-Étienne Church near the edge of the Vieux Bassin. Its Gothic stone architecture forms an atmospheric backdrop to a museum dedicated entirely to Honfleur's profound maritime identity. With collections donated by sailors, local families, and maritime associations, the museum offers a vivid and personal look at the town's connection to the sea, making it one of the must-see places in Honfleur.

Step inside and you are greeted by ship models, engravings, tools, and nautical artefacts that span centuries of life on the water. Often visited on walking tours of Honfleur, the museum also offers one of the best places to see in the Maritime Museum if you want to understand how fishing, shipbuilding, and international commerce helped shape Honfleur into a thriving port.

History and Significance of the Maritime Museum
Things to See and Do in the Maritime Museum
How to Get to the Maritime Museum
Practical Tips on Visiting the Maritime Museum
Where to Stay close to the Maritime Museum
Is the Maritime Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting the Maritime Museum
Nearby Attractions to the Maritime Museum

History and Significance of the Maritime Museum

Housed in Honfleur's oldest church, the museum highlights centuries of religious, architectural, and maritime heritage. Saint-Étienne Church, built in the 14th century, stands as a surviving testament to the Gothic architecture that once characterised the town's earliest religious buildings. Repurposing the church into a museum preserves the monument while giving it a meaningful cultural role in modern Honfleur.

The collections were assembled over decades from contributions by families of sailors, shipbuilders, and fishermen. These objects tell stories of Honfleur’s maritime industries, including cod fishing on the Newfoundland banks, coastal trade, ship construction, and rope- and sail-making-professions that were once the backbone of the local economy.

Beyond individual artefacts, the museum also traces the growth of Honfleur as a port town. Historical maps, models, and documents show how its strategic location contributed to exploration and regional commerce, helping put Honfleur on the international maritime map.

Things to See and Do in the Maritime Museum

Visitors can admire beautifully crafted ship models that recreate vessels used during the 18th and 19th centuries. These range from fishing boats to merchant ships, each offering insight into the evolution of naval architecture and Honfleur’s participation in maritime trade.

Engravings, nautical instruments, and tools reveal the practical side of life at sea-highlighting everything from navigation to sail-making and rope-making. Displays on sailors’ lives help visitors imagine daily routines, challenges during long voyages, and the tight-knit communities that formed around Honfleur’s port.

The museum also features detailed models and historical documents that chart the development of the harbour itself. This immersive exploration of port history is one of the things to do in Honfleur for those who want a deeper connection to the region's seafaring traditions.

How to Get to the Maritime Museum

Travellers typically access Honfleur via Deauville-Normandie Airport, which offers domestic and limited international flights and lies within a short drive of the town. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Honfleur on Booking.com.

For those arriving by rail, the nearest station is Deauville-Trouville, with frequent services from Paris Saint-Lazare and other Normandy centres. Buses, shuttles, or taxis then provide an easy onward trip into Honfleur. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

Reaching the Maritime Museum by car is straightforward, as Honfleur is well connected through the A13, A29, and regional road networks. Public car parks around the centre allow convenient access to the Vieux Bassin and the museum's location. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Maritime Museum

Suggested tips: Visit early in the day for quieter galleries and better viewing of detailed exhibits.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer, when Honfleur’s centre is lively and nearby attractions are easy to explore.
Entrance fee: €4.20 (adult)
Opening hours: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00; closed Mondays
Official website: https://www.musees-honfleur.fr/museecacher2.html
How long to spend: 30-60 minutes is ideal depending on your interest in maritime history.
Accessibility: Some areas may have uneven flooring due to the church’s historic structure.
Facilities: Nearby cafés, shops, and public conveniences around the Vieux Bassin.
Photography tip: Capture the façades of Saint-Étienne Church before entering for the best exterior shots.
Guided tours: Occasionally available; check with the local tourism office for schedules.
Nearby food options: Plenty of harbour-side restaurants and bistros offer convenient dining before or after a visit.

Where to Stay close to the Maritime Museum

Staying near the Maritime Museum places you close to the harbour and many major sights. For boutique charm, consider Les Maisons de Léa. Those seeking luxury and artistic heritage may prefer La Ferme Saint Simeon. A comfortable, well-located option is Hôtel L’Ecrin, just a short stroll from the Vieux Bassin.

Is the Maritime Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Maritime Museum is absolutely worth visiting. Its blend of Gothic architecture, nautical collections, and historical storytelling offers a rich, atmospheric experience. Whether you love maritime history, cultural heritage, or simply appreciate unique museum spaces, this stop is an essential part of any Honfleur itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (1,567)

Musée de la Marine on Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre offers a compact, high-quality look at maritime history with oil paintings, models and seafaring artifacts, plus interactive screens and an audio guide that deepen the stories behind the displays; visitors praise its varied exhibits (including a dramatic naval battle group and a Fresnel lens), a current photography exhibition, easy central access, and a café/restaurant with Eiffel Tower views that serves good coffee and reasonably priced meals, though some note the admission can feel pricey for families.

Tom

3 months ago

"Right sized museum with extremely high quality exhibits & great audio guide. Lots to learn, ending with a naval battle group exhibit that is betterthan the exhibits at the Air & Space museum. The artwork is understandable, informative and epic in scale. One of the very best Museums on Earth...."

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Guy Harris

4 months ago

"This museum is a solid 4 stars. It does a lot right, cool exhibits and good interactivity for all ages. Be sure to use the screens because there aresome very interesting stories which link to the exhibits next to them. For me the one downside is the cost. If you were bringing a family or a big group it would add up fast. It's an expensive museum by Paris standards especially as it isn't huge. There is also a cafe offering Eiffel Tower views which you didn't need to pay to access..."

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Marcio Eduardo Gayoso

4 months ago

"Excellent museum that gives you a broad experience of the French naval history. Central location. Easy access. Honest price. Beautiful building. Goiscoffee in the café...."

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FAQs for Visiting the Maritime Museum

Yes, many displays are engaging for children, especially ship models and nautical tools.

Photography is generally allowed, though flash may be restricted.

Yes, though it closes on Mondays and may have seasonal schedule adjustments.

Core exhibits remain, but occasional thematic displays appear throughout the year.

Nearby Attractions to the Maritime Museum

Vieux Bassin (Old Port): The iconic harbour lined with colourful timbered buildings.
Sainte-Catherine Church: A remarkable wooden church resembling an upside-down ship hull.
La Lieutenance: The fortified 14th-century gateway turned maritime heritage centre.
Eugène Boudin Museum: Celebrating Impressionist art and Norman cultural heritage.
Jardin du Tripot: A peaceful riverside green space hidden behind Honfleur's old town.

The Musée de la Marine appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Honfleur!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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