The final full day of our Road Scholar trip took us from Bayeux to the town of Honfleur, which is where the Seine empties into the sea. It’s known for its all-wooden churches (no nails!), picturesque streets, and harbor.

As we walked the streets in the morning light, I could easily see why painters like Eugene Boudin and Monet were drawn here. The ancient buildings ooze with character, and the harbor provides wonderful reflections of the ships.

We visited one of the wooden churches, Sint-Catharina Kerk, and spent some time inside. Joan of Arc was also memorialized here with a statue.

After our walk, we visited the Musee Eugene Boudin, which is housed in a 19^th-century chapel with two modern extensions, offering views over Honfleur and the Seine. Boudin was the town’s most famous painter. Besides Boudin’s works, the museum houses other impressionists such as Monet and Jongkind.

On our way to the restaurant where we would share a farewell lunch with the group, we passed some cool statues – have you ever seen the partial statues that provide optical illusions? There was a series of those.

We also passed two men who sported fedoras and smoked hand-rolled cigarettes. They were setting up their hurdy-gurdy as a tourist attraction.

Near them on a harbor wall was a plaque that memorialized Samuel de Champlain. As a Great Lakes person, I took note! Lake Champlain in Vermont is named after him, and the plaque commemorated his departure point in Honfleur and his role in establishing “New France” in Quebec, Canada. Honfleur’s location on the Seine made it a key port for launching French voyages into the St. Lawrence and beyond.

The city also seemed home to many cats, who provided me with some photo opportunities.

I would have loved to have spent more time here, but alas, the time for our departure was nearing. At our farewell lunch, our group exchanged contact information, and we said our goodbyes. We met a lot of nice people in our group and plan to keep in touch with a few.

We were very happy with our experience and would definitely consider booking another Road Scholar trip in the future, especially if it’s in a country where we don’t know the language and would be hesitant to drive.

Not that Road Scholar had anything to do with this, but the weather during our tour was divine: sunshine and no rain. The first rain came in the evening after we had returned to Paris, where our group would catch flights home the next day.

One thing to know if you travel to France is that there’s a lack of public restrooms, especially in Paris. You either need to go into a cafe and buy something so you can use their facilities, or just saunter in and act like you belong there and use them. Even our tour bus didn’t have a bathroom!

I feel like perhaps it was a mistake that we left France. Immediately afterward, the country experienced heat waves that left at least 40 people dead, wildfires that devastated communities in the southwest part of the country, and France’s first incidence of Ebola. Would things have been different if we had stayed? I guess I’ll never know. 😊 But I feel for the country and hope the many trials end soon.

Reflecting on this journey, I am grateful for the unforgettable experiences, the friendships made, the chance to glimpse the country of my ancestors, and the beauty discovered each day. Though France faced great challenges after our departure, the memories and connections from our trip will remain with us.

As this chapter closes, I look forward to future travels and new adventures, carrying with me the spirit of discovery and appreciation that this journey inspired.