When I was a teenager I had a book about photographic techniques in which Honfleur was used extensively to demonstrate f-numbers, shutter speeds, ASA settings and similar wizardry. I thought then that nowhere could be that perfect, and have been several times since to reassure myself that, in fact, it is. The town is built around an old harbour on the south of the wide Seine estuary, opposite Le Havre. Its chief industries are fishing and tourism, which come together in the many sea-food restaurants.
Visiting in March has some advantages: hotels are cheaper, it’s less crowded. But we did need warm coats and it was not as photogenic as in Summer, in fact there was still some snow on the ground. However, we did have some great fruits de mer in the restaurants around the harbour and managed to stock up with cheap booze for the next few months.

Honfleur Harbour.

Rouen cathedral

Rouen cathedral

Honfleur roofs, from hotel room.

Mistletoe near Seine estuary.

Seine-side ruin

Cockle pickers statue, Honfleur.

Honfleur outer harbour