Two days at La Ferme Saint-Siméon, Boudin gallery visits, sunset at the Pont de Normandie, and a private dinner at Le Manoir des Impressionnistes.
Honfleur is the soul of Normandy. The Vieux Bassin and its slate-fronted houses, the pencil-thin spire of Sainte-Catherine, the painter Boudin who gave Monet his first lesson — there is no port in France that has produced more art per square kilometre. A weekend here, conducted by FFGR Normandy, is an immersion in light and quiet.
Friday evening — arrival
A 2-hour Maybach ride from Paris arrives in Honfleur as the working boats return to the Bassin. The Hôtel La Ferme Saint-Siméon — historic refuge of the Impressionists — welcomes our clients with a private apéritif on the terrace overlooking the Seine estuary. The chauffeur takes care of the valet and remains on call for the weekend.
Saturday — galleries, gastronomy, sea
A morning walk through the Vieux Bassin, a private opening of the Eugène Boudin Museum (with its Monet collection), an aperitif at the Café de l'Hôtel de Ville. Lunch at La Terrasse et l'Assiette — Michelin-starred, run by Gérard Bonnefoy. Afternoon at sea: the FFGR Worldwide aviation desk arranges a private sailing on a classic vessel from the Vieux Bassin.
Saturday evening — the Pont de Normandie at dusk
A short Maybach drive to the Pont de Normandie viewpoint at sunset, then dinner at Le Manoir des Impressionnistes. The chauffeur returns to La Ferme Saint-Siméon, the night begins.
Sunday — a private experience
For some clients, we arrange a calvados-route morning — three estates, a private tasting at Christian Drouin, a tour by the fifth-generation distiller. For others, a private painting masterclass overlooking the estuary. Lunch at La Ferme Saint-Siméon. Departure mid-afternoon.
- ◆Best season: spring and autumn — luminous light, no crowds
- ◆Recommended hotels: La Ferme Saint-Siméon (5★), Hôtel L'Absinthe (4★)
- ◆Fleet: Mercedes-Maybach S-Class for the journey, V-Class VIP for families
- ◆Private experiences: Boudin Museum opening, calvados route, sailing, painting masterclass
- ◆Combine with: a Friday afternoon in Deauville, a Sunday detour to Étretat
« Boudin used to say the sky in Normandy paints itself. We give you the time to watch. »
