The 9 Best Things to Do on Seine River Cruise

8. Wander Honfleur’s Old Harbor

At the mouth of the Seine, where the river meets the English Channel, Honfleur is a charismatic seaside city with a harbor lined with half-timbered buildings. Honfleur’s Vieux-Bassin (old harbor) is dotted with small pleasure boats, plus rows of cafes, restaurants and galleries.

Vieux-Bassin’s warren of backstreets are filled with colorful buildings and cobbled squares. On a visit, admire St. Catherine’s Church, the oldest wooden church in France, constructed by shipbuilders in the 15th century.

Since the 19th century, Honfleur has been adored by artists, from Gustave Courbet to Eugène Boudin (Boudin has a museum named in his honor). You might even spot watercolor artists at work on the waterfront, capturing Honfleur’s picturesque harbor.

After roaming Honfluer’s spellbinding streets, stop for a bite of ultra-fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants. Resaurant L’escale is a popular spot serving plates piled with oysters, whelks, periwinkles, shrimps and langoustines.