Here we are at La Lieutenance, the proud building guarding the entrance to the Vieux Bassin. It’s one of the last surviving traces of Honfleur’s medieval walls, first built in the fourteenth century under King Charles V to defend the Seine estuary. Back then it was known as the “Caen Gate,” since it opened onto the road toward the neighboring town. Picture a real fortress here: round towers, a drawbridge, battlements, and at night heavy chains stretched across the harbor entrance to block access. Just above the gate you can still see a niche with a statue of the Virgin, known as Notre Dame de la Grâce, once believed to protect sailors and ships heading out to sea. At the end of the seventeenth century the gate was converted into a residence for the king’s lieutenant, the royal authority in town: that’s where the building gets its name. Behind those massive stone walls, several meters thick, you’d have found both defensive features and more comfortable living quarters. During the Revolution, La Lieutenance took on a darker role as a prison. Among those held here were nuns from Orbec who refused to swear allegiance to the new regime. They spent months locked inside before finally being released, leaving a deep mark on local memory. Declared a Historic Monument in 1909, the building underwent a major restoration between 2015 and 2022. Today it houses an interpretation center dedicated to Honfleur’s maritime history and heritage, as well as an artist residency. From its terraces, you get a superb view over the town and the harbor. Take a moment to look closely: its stones tell more than six centuries of history, from the fortifications of Charles V to the upheavals of the Revolution and the projects of today. La Lieutenance is more than just a fortified gate; it’s Honfleur’s living memory, guardian of the harbor and witness to the centuries.