Colbert, minister of Louis XIV, made the necessary changes to the main basin of Honfleur in 1668. It was then only a grounding haven 393 ft (120 m) long by 164 ft (50 m) wide. An opening allowed evacuating its water into the sea, and the port was already lined with tall and narrow houses and a quay. Colbert had a lock built that transformed it into a wet dock. Large tonnage boats (300 to 400 barrels) were allowed access to Honfleur's port.