A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Honfleur for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Honfleur. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Honfleur

Honfleur is a serene, picturesque, and scenic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Saint-Etienne and Honfleur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Honfleur. Although Saint-Etienne and Honfleur are popular destinations, Honfleur has more sights and attractions for tourists. Honfleur is very popular for its food, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Honfleur is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its influence over Impressionist art, its stunning harbor, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for St Catherine's Church. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Honfleur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Honfleur and Saint-Etienne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Honfleur.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Honfleur. Some of the most notable sights around the town include Saint Catherine's Church, Le Vieux Bassin, Notre-Dame de Grace, and the Normandy Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Honfleur is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Honfleur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Located on the coast of Normandy along the English Channel, seafood is a defining element for most dishes here. Foodies flock to this town for its Michelin starred restaurants as well as its local cafes and quaint eateries. For land-lovers, there's a popular local cider-braised pork that you must-try. And for dessert make sure you try the Tarte Tatin.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint-Etienne and Honfleur.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Honfleur. Restaurants come to life at night when music flows out onto the streets. The town is not known for its partying, but that doesn't mean that it's a sleepy place that shuts down when the sun sets.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Beaches?

Honfleur is adequate for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Honfleur. The town sits by the estuary of the Seine and there are two beaches not far from town. Butin Beach is the closest to town and the most popular, but Vasouy Beach is more relaxed and natural.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its hiking trails. However, Honfleur is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Honfleur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne and Honfleur both offer plenty of reasonable spots.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Honfleur has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a charming town with boutique shops, chocolate shops, and the standard tourist places that sell souvenirs and t-shirts.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Honfleur are nice family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Honfleur is a family-friendly place to visit. Located on the coast of Normandy, the town has boat rides, quirky museums, and Vieux Bassin, which is a beautiful and lively harbor. For kids who need to stretch their legs, there are many parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Couples?

Honfleur is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Honfleur is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It has, arguably, one of the area's most beautiful harbors. There are also many great seafood restaurants, relaxing gardens, and spas that are perfect for couples.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its public transit.

Saint-Etienne has some public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Public transit is generally limited in Honfleur. HO Buses travel from the outskirts or town into the center and are used mainly by locals. If you plan to head into Normandy to see the countryside, you'll want to have a car.

Is Saint-Etienne or Honfleur a more walkable city?

Honfleur is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Honfleur is a very walkable city. The city center is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are also many coastal walks leading out of town.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Honfleur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Honfleur or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Honfleur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Honfleur than in Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Honfleur.

Families should spend more time in Honfleur than Saint-Etienne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Honfleur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Honfleur than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Honfleur that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Honfleur than Saint-Etienne if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Honfleur.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

The city of Saint-Etienne offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the picturesque destination of Honfleur. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint-Etienne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Honfleur. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Saint-Etienne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Honfleur. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful city of Honfleur. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Honfleur, we can see that Honfleur is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Honfleur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honfleur than you might in Saint-Etienne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Honfleur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Honfleur?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Honfleur. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Honfleur, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.