Push open a heavy wooden door on Rue Haute, and the old parquet floor creaks softly underfoot. Through the window, Normandy rooftops catch the evening light. You’re not checking into a room — you’re settling into your own address in one of Honfleur’s oldest houses. Welcome to La Petite Folie.
Neither a hotel nor an anonymous rental, La Petite Folie is home to 8 fully-equipped luxury apartments, each dressed by an interior designer, two minutes’ walk from the Vieux Bassin. Every apartment has its own character, its own materials, its own mood — every stay is different.
No standard rooms here. Each of our 8 apartments was designed as a world of its own, named after an artist or historical figure connected to Honfleur and Normandy.
Every apartment carries the signature of an interior designer: exposed beams, reclaimed parquet, raw stone, an artist’s-studio glass roof, warm or cool palettes, even a touch of « jungle » — no two apartments are alike. That distinct personality is what sets La Petite Folie apart from every other place to stay in Honfleur.
La Petite Folie sits at 44 Rue Haute, in the heart of the Sainte-Catherine quarter — the oldest, best-preserved part of town.
Step outside and you’re immediately in Honfleur’s cobbled lanes. « The Vieux Bassin » , its lively quays, art galleries and restaurants are just a short stroll away. You won’t need a car to explore Honfleur — everything is on foot.
La Petite Folie is a direct neighbour of composer Erik Satie’s birthplace (now the Maisons Satie museum) and just a few dozen metres from the Eugène Boudin Museum, the temple of Norman Impressionism. For art and history lovers, it’s a dream location. The Naturospace butterfly house — a tropical greenhouse filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies — is also within walking distance, a lovely, unexpected detour midway through your stay.
Travellers who choose La Petite Folie often say the same thing: they don’t want a hotel room. They want to live in Honfleur, not just pass through it. Here’s what our apartments offer that a hotel can’t.
La Petite Folie isn’t run by a chain. Louise and Sukru, who manage the house, welcome you personally and know Honfleur inside out. They’re happy to share their favourite addresses, hidden routes and personal recommendations — with the genuine warmth of people who live in, and love, this town.
To round out your stay, La Petite Folie offers, on request:
The paradox of La Petite Folie: you’re in the centre of Honfleur, two minutes from the market and the busy lanes, yet the moment you close your apartment door, calm takes over. Thick stone walls, double glazing, no noisy immediate neighbours — your cocoon is genuinely undisturbed.
Check-in runs from 4pm to 7pm. If you’re arriving later, we can arrange a remote check-in. Luggage can be dropped off between 9am and midday if you arrive early. Check-out is by 11am.
Rue Haute is one-way, so the simplest option is to park at the Naturospace car park (free, at the end of Boulevard Charles V) and walk the three minutes to La Petite Folie. Several paid car parks are also available near the harbour.
La Petite Folie is a collection of 8 individually designed apartments inside a 19th-century townhouse, each with its own personality, a kitchenette, and a warm, personal welcome from Louise and Sukru rather than an anonymous front desk. There’s no lift, no room service trolley, and no uniform décor — just a private, characterful home for your stay.
One child, generally from around 6 to 10 years old and up, can be accommodated, and only in one of our two Prestige Apartments (Claude Monet or Charles Baudelaire), which sleep up to three people using the sofa bed. There’s no cot or extra bed for younger children. The other six apartments are designed for two adults. Please let us know in advance if you’re travelling with a child so we can confirm availability.
Surprisingly little. The house’s thick stone walls and double glazing keep the apartments remarkably quiet, even though you’re two minutes from the Vieux Bassin and the Saturday market. Many guests comment on how peaceful their nights are.
Every apartment has its own equipped kitchenette — hob, fridge and basic equipment — perfect for a relaxed breakfast or a light lunch. It’s one of the reasons couples often prefer us to a conventional hotel room.
Breakfast isn’t included in the room rate but can be pre-booked and delivered to your apartment or served in the shared lounge. Two formulas are available: a Petite Formule at €8.50 per person and a more generous Grande Formule at €15.50 per person.
Honfleur has no train station of its own, so most international visitors either drive (about 2 hours from Paris via the A13) or take a train to Lisieux or Deauville-Trouville and finish the journey by bus or taxi. Once you’re here, everything in the historic centre — including La Petite Folie — is walkable, so a car isn’t necessary during your stay.
