Honfleur – Saint-Catherine Church

The Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur is a sight to be seen. After the Basilica of Lisieux, it’s the 2nd most visited church in Normandy.

The oldest part of this catholic church dates back to the mid 15th century. What makes the church special is the fact that the bell tower is separate of the church itself, and that it’s made almost totally of wood.

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The mostly wooden nave of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy

The mostly wooden nave of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy at night

Side entrance of the mostly wooden nave of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy at night

The large nave of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy at night

The nave was built like an upside down boat, a technique used for several churches and market places, since the villages were dominated by the fishing industry. It was the only way the local woodworkers knew how to build. The church was built like the way the Vikings used to build – with axes, not saws.

The reason the bell tower was built away from the church itself was because the tower attracts lightning which can cause a fire. This way the parishioners would not be exposed to the risks of fire.

The porch was built in the 20th century using the model of many Normandy style churches:

The beams inside are all of unequal length. This is because there were no oaks trees long enough for the pillars.

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Inside the Saint-Catherine church with its uneven beams/pillars

The organ of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy

The altar of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy

The upside down boat design of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy

Stained glass windows of the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur, Normandy

Small chapel dedicated to Saint Marcouf at the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur

Small chapel dedicated to sainte Therese de Lisieux. at the Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur

The organ in the second photo above came from the parish St. Vincent of Rouen.

The last photo is the chapel dedicated to the sainte Therese de Lisieux, who has a Basilica dedicated to her in Lisieux.

Conclusion

The Saint-Catherine church in Honfleur merits a visit. Its old, well preserved and interesting to see how the builders in the 15th century built a church.

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