The 10 best-kept secrets in Honfleur

The Garden of Personalities (Jardin des Personnalités), built on a former mudflat in the estuary, opened in 2004 and spans 10 hectares of landscaped countryside. Go in search of those who have helped shape the town's historical and cultural heritage, with busts that stand proudly in the heart of the lush boat gardens.

Dive into the history of local personalities who were either born or stayed in the city, in particular Charles Baudelaire, Claude Monet, Éric Satie, Alphonse Allais, Françoise Sagan and Michel Serrault. The garden, located on the outskirts of the city, has a calm and relaxing atmosphere and comes alive during the musical picnic that takes place here every July.

The Saint-Léonard district takes its name from its impressive church, dedicated to the patron saint of prisoners. A true witness to the city's rich history, the building has survived throughout the ages, but not without a struggle. Partially destroyed in 1357 when the town was taken by the English, it was later attacked by the Earl of Salisbury and was completely demolished.

Rebuilt in a Gothic style at the end of the Hundred Years' War, it was once again damaged by the Protestants during the Wars of Religion. Today, only the façade remains, but you'll still be able to appreciate some relics of medieval art, the large clock face and the octagonal bell tower decorated with musical instruments. Take a stroll through this outstanding, recently renovated district, with its many fountains supplied by the Saint-Léonard springs.

La Côte de Grâce is home to one of the region's oldest sanctuaries that's just waiting to be discovered. Built in 1600, the Notre-Dame de Grâce Chapel (Chapelle Notre-Dame de Grâce) contains a number of treasures: marble plaques, exceptional ex votos and paintings commemorating illustrious visitors to the area like Bonaparte, Louis XIII and Thérèse de Lisieux.

If you are lucky enough to visit during Whitsun, you'll find the famous Festival of Sailors (Fête des Marins) and admire the impressive procession of model boats that go from the Place Sainte-Catherine to the chapel. Make the most of your proximity to Equemauville and visit Mont-Joli to appreciate the magnificent panorama across Honfleur, the Seine Valley and the Pont de Normandie bridge linking Honfleur to Le Havre.

The Old Riggings in the Vieux Bassin port complete a visit to this port town. Listed, for the most part, as historic monuments, many have made the Vieux Bassin their home port. To get a better look, set course for these pretty little quays, lined with half-timbered houses dating back to the 16th to 18th centuries.

Answering to poetic – and sometimes amusing – names such as Marie-Madeleine, Dehel, Sheena, Garmouth, Rose de Savanah, Fides and P’tit Gros (Little Fatty), the Old Riggings will plunge you deep into the fascinating world of the sailors of yesteryear. Make time to visit these boats that are part of the area's cultural heritage and still in use today during the maritime festivals and shows organised in Honfleur and across the region.

The salt stores of Honfleur are vast stone buildings dating back to the 17th century established near the Town Hall. They were built by the Ferme de Gabelles to store the salt needed for cod fishing expeditions on the banks of Newfoundland.

The oak frames, built by the naval carpenters of the time, are reminiscent of the hulls of the ships. Listed as historical monuments since 1916, these prestigious buildings were restored in 1970 and now host a variety of exhibitions, concerts and performances.

The Forest of Breuil (Bois du Breuil), 4 km from Honfleur, is on a plateau facing the sea at an altitude of about 100 metres. With its many hiking trails, this vast wooded area will delight both hikers and lovers of the open air. As one of the few completely ecologically managed forests, it's not uncommon to see horses log-skidding.

Among the oak, beech and Scots pine trees, deer, wild boars, black woodpeckers and squirrels live together in perfect harmony. Famous for its rhododendron-lined walkway and magnificent avenue with its hundred-year-old trees, the Forest of Breuil can be explored both day and night thanks to the educational visits offered by the Conservatoire du Littoral.

The Tripot Gardens (Jardin du Tripot), found at the end of a cul-de-sac in the heart of Honfleur's historic centre, are well worth a stroll. In the heart of this peaceful little haven along a branch of the river Claire, you can enjoy the many vantage points over the river and lakes that bring the 7,000 square metres of this magnificent urban park to life.

The garden has been arranged to highlight the remains of the old tanneries unearthed during renovation works. Here, visitors can really appreciate the old dyers' tubs and a whole network of canals. The colourful works of Annick Leroy also bear witness to this rich past and give this bit of green space a little extra soul. A poetic space that will delight both young and old.