Every autumn, the Vieux Bassin fills with the smells of cooking, music and conversation. The Shellfish and Fishing Festival is one of those weekends we love to recommend to our guests: you can stroll along the quays, sample the fresh seafood and, for two days, rediscover the strong bond that links Honfleur to its harbour. Whether you’re coming with family or friends, our group accommodation near Honfleur allow you to enjoy the festivities whilst still having a proper place of your own for the weekend.
Announced dates: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026
Venue: the quays of the Vieux Bassin in Honfleur
Atmosphere: seafood, sea shanties, old sailing ships and entertainment for all ages
Detailed programme: pending publication by the organisers
A festival born of the harbour and its sailors
In Honfleur, the sea is never far away. It’s in the boats in the harbour, in the market halls, in the stories people tell and on our plates. This festival pays tribute to the fishermen, their crews and the catch they bring back to port. The quays take on a new look, without losing what makes them so charming: the façades, the reflections on the water and the boats moored right next to the stalls.
The 2026 edition is announced on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. The Honfleur Tourist Office is promoting this weekend as an event dedicated to fishing and seafood. Official information is available on its page dedicated to the Shellfish and Fishing Festival.
A WEEKEND TO ENJOY AT YOUR OWN PACE
You can visit for a few hours, but we find that a whole weekend is more enjoyable. It gives you time to stroll along the quays, stop wherever the mood takes you, and then wander through the narrow streets of Honfleur once the hustle and bustle has died down. In October, the town is also lovely to explore between showers, with the light over the harbour often looking magnificent.
For those who enjoy simple getaways, this is a lovely way to make the most of Honfleur after the summer: a seafood lunch, a stroll around the harbour, a spot of shopping for dinner, and an evening at the holiday cottage with the loved ones you’ve chosen to bring along.
The 2026 programme: what we already know
The detailed programme for the 2026 edition has not yet been published by the Town of Honfleur or the Tourist Office. The Town has launched a poster competition to select the visual and graphic identity for this new edition. The winning design will then be used on posters, leaflets, the website and other communication materials. You can find this announcement on the Honfleur Town Council website.
The exact schedule will therefore be announced at a later date. However, every year the festival retains the events that define its spirit:
- a fish market and stalls selling seafood; ;
- tastings, featuring scallops and other seafood specialities; ;
- sailors’ songs and concerts on the quays; ;
- crafts and art exhibitions inspired by the coastline; ;
- a gathering of old sailing ships, which is always a pleasure to watch from the pond.
We will update this article once the timetables and events have been announced. If you are planning your stay around a concert or a specific event, it is best to check the Tourist Office’s website just before you arrive.
Two holiday cottages where you can spend time together, whilst each having your own space
After a day at the harbour, it’s lovely to be able to relax without keeping an eye on the time. Our estate comprises two holiday cottages, to choose from depending on the size and preferences of your group: Les 3 Fresnes and Maisons Pommes. They can be booked separately or together, but each holiday cottage remains entirely private for the group that has booked it.
THE THREE ASH TREES AND APPLE HOUSES
Les 3 Fresnes is our large thatched cottage, ideal for family reunions or holidays with friends. Maisons Pommes is a single holiday cottage comprising two Norman houses, the Maison Chaume and the Maison Ardoise. At Maisons Pommes, you can enjoy the entire property in complete privacy: the two houses, the garden, the swimming pool and the facilities are reserved exclusively for your group.
For large groups, it is also possible to book both holiday cottages on the same estate. The Rental of our two holiday cottages in Normandy This then allows a large number of people to come together, whilst maintaining two very distinct worlds.
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- A fitted kitchen whether you’re cooking up your market finds or preparing a dinner for a group; ;
- Comfortable living spaces to keep the conversation going after the party; ;
- A private garden for each holiday cottage, so that everyone can really make the most of their stay; ;
- A swimming pool and private facilities for the group booking Maisons Pommes, without sharing with other guests.
October is the perfect time for leisurely meals, walks in the Pays d’Auge and returning to the holiday cottage in the late afternoon. It’s less about rushing from one sight to the next and more about spending the weekend together.
A few ideas to make the weekend last a bit longer
The festival makes you want to explore Honfleur more fully. The Vieux Bassin is, of course, a must-see, but you often only need to wander a few streets away to find a quieter part of town. St Catherine’s Church, the small art galleries, the old houses and the views over the harbour are all well worth a visit, even when the Normandy sky is changeable.
BETWEEN THE PORT AND THE PAYS D’AUGE
- Stroll along the quays of the Old Basin before or after the activities; ;
- Have a browse round the shops and market halls to prepare the evening meal; ;
- Go for a walk through the countryside of the Auge region ;
- Take the time to enjoy a seafood lunch in Honfleur; ;
- Head back to the holiday cottage, let the children play, and look back on the day over a drink or dinner.
If you’re travelling with children, our article on Family activities around Honfleur It also includes a number of ideas that are easy to incorporate into the programme, depending on the weather and everyone’s age.
Planning your stay for the Fête de la Coquille
This weekend naturally attracts families and groups of friends who want to experience Honfleur in a different atmosphere. If you’re planning to come as a group, it’s best to book a little in advance, especially for two-night stays.
The page showing the availability of our two holiday cottages will help you decide which option suits your group best. We like everyone to find their own rhythm once they’ve arrived: partying on the quays, then the peace and privacy of the gîte for the rest of the weekend.
