One of the very picturesque villages in Normandy is the small port of Honfleur.
As I walked up from the car park on the edge of the village, I could see before me the half timbered houses and the Quai Saint Catherine, they surrounded. Tall wooden masts bobbed on the water and small colourful flags fluttered in the breeze.
In the 16th century legislation was passed to limit the width of the buildings to 7.6 metres. Curiously, the buildings are two homes - one built upon another, with one entrance from the quay and another from around the back via Rue du Dauphin.
During the 19th century, artists such as Corot, Monet and Turner were inspired by Honfleur and the beautiful quay.
Along a cobbled path I wandered around looking into the shop windows - pretty lavender soaps, the local speciality of calvados and to my surprise a store that sold salt. Peering through the window and marveling at the large glass jars containing the many salts on offer, I was tempted by one titled Viking Salt. Viking salt? I thought. It was enough to make me enter the store. I sniffed the jar of Viking salt - a smell of woodiness and a deep unknown herb greeted me. It might be OK. I pondered just what dish I cooked that I would use it in and couldn't come up with one, so only the memory of Viking salt came home with me.
Around the Church of Sainte Catherine is a small market area. Today was a Sunday and a brocante market was set up. Stall holders selling antique furniture, vintage books and bric a brac. Old linens were stacked high on tables. Battered gold and timber frames held the faces of somber faces, their shine dimmed by age and wear. If only I could buy some of these things and bring them back home with me but sadly I couldn't see how it could be done even with Emirates generous baggage allowance :-)
The warmth of the sun felt so good on one's face as I strolled away from the market to the edge of the harbour. It's so easy to admire boats and lose track of time however I was conscious of its passing and so, I made for the Church that sits in the centre of Hornfleur.
The Church of Sainte Catherine reflects the long history of seafaring in Hornfleur. Many of the townsfolk were shipbuilders and sailors and this influenced the design of their church. During the 100 Years War, the original stone structure was replaced with a timber building. Its unique design reflects the seafaring heritage of the towns inhabitants. Sainte Catherine's dark oak vaulted ceiling resembles twin overturned ship hulls. It's deeply hued timbers stretch like ribs supporting the roof. Standing beneath this ceiling one truly feels like one is standing inside an inverted ship. Most unusual!
It is France's largest timber constructed church and was built in the 1400s.
Deauville is in complete contrast to Hornfleur. Deauville is everything one imagines a French 1930's seaside resort should look like. In contrast to Hornfleur's narrow streets, Deauville takes advantage of its expansive layout and views. The ocean stretches the length of the town and is incredibly flat and broad. Soft white sand, such an unusual feature of beaches here LOL, sparkles along the edge of the azure sea. In my minds eye, I imagine 1930's men wearing their covered up stripy swimming costumes while women lounge around under large umbrellas dug into the sand, broad brimmed straw hats and glasses worn with aplomb.
Along the beach front are the de-rigeur beach huts. These amused me as each one is named after a Hollywood movie star or famous American. There is Buzz Aldrin along side Farrah Fawcett, Rock Hudson next to John Travolta. Perhaps what attracted them to the area, other than apparently a Film Festival held each year, was the sprawling casino that takes pride of place along the ocean front?
As lovely as Hornfluer and Deauville are, I am keen to move on to somewhere and some thing I have been wanting to see for a very long time - Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry!