Saint Leonard’s Church

The Saint-Léonard church

The Honfleur audio-guided tour leads you to the Saint-Léonard square, dominated by the church of the same name, recognisable by its flamboyant Gothic façade and its dome-shaped bell tower.

A church reborn many times

A sanctuary is mentioned here as early as 1186, but the building was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The present façade, richly sculpted, dates from the end of the fifteenth century, a period of great prosperity for the port of Honfleur. The wars of religion struck it hard: burned by the Huguenots in 1562, the church was again hit by the cannons of Henry IV in 1594. It was reborn in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when its octagonal dome bell tower, adorned with bas-reliefs, was added. Inside, polychrome wall paintings, nineteenth-century stained-glass windows recounting the life of Saint Léonard, protector of prisoners, and above all a monumental organ built in 1901 by Charles Mutin, listed as a historic monument.

What there is to see

The Saint-Léonard church invites contemplation through the contrast between its flamboyant Gothic façade, its dome bell tower and its warm interior, adorned with wall paintings and stained-glass windows. Its 1901 organ, listed as a historic monument, remains a treasure of the sound heritage of Honfleur. A mixture of eras and styles, it is a symbol of resilience over the centuries.

Practical information

The Saint-Léonard church is on the square of the same name, in Honfleur. A place of worship open to visitors, it is discovered with respect for the services; the opening hours are to be checked on site.

Why was the Saint-Léonard church rebuilt several times?

Mentioned as early as 1186, it was destroyed several times, notably during the wars of religion, before being reborn in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

What is special about the Saint-Léonard organ?

Built in 1901 by Charles Mutin, successor of Cavaillé-Coll, it is listed as a historic monument and remains a flagship element of the sound heritage of the city.