The Old Dock surrounded by picturesque narrow houses, the Lieutenancy and St Stephen's Church - this is with no doubt what catches the eye of every visitor upon their first visit to Honfleur.
The Dock itself was built thanks to Colbert in 1681 so as to take over from the old harbour that had become far too small for the increasing needs of the town. - (Colbert was Louis the 14th's finance minister) - To carry out this work, Colbert had to have the Western part of the rampart demolished.
The narrow houses squeezed against one another on St Catherine's quay are quite unusual.
They are not only all different in size and shape. They also have two ground floors, one that opens onto the quay and another one about half way up that opens behind onto the Dauphin Street or the Logettes Street.
Because - or thanks to - this disposition, each house is privately owned by two different householders.
These houses were built between the 16th and the 18th centuries. Some of them have overhanging storeys and many have their walls protected by slates.