Visit Caen through its 5 best museums and its castle to discover the richness of its heritage, its know-how and its relationship with art. A few unusual sites are sure to surprise you! The area around the City of William the Conqueror is home to museums that will delight your children, as well as sites where you can learn more about the D-Day landings.
In this article, you’ll find our opinions, photos and practical tips for organizing your visits!
These reviews are completely independent, we visited anonymously and paid our entrance fees in full.
The best things to see in Caen
Tips for visiting the best museums in Caen
Caen museum map
The Vieux-la-Romaine museum and site are not shown on the map, as they are located in the town of Vieux (14930), a 15-minute drive south of Caen.
The reality of Caen’s museums
Caen has a rich cultural offering. In addition to a handful of museums, there are some very interesting monuments and open-air exhibitions, which we have listed in our article on the best things to do in Caen.
Caen’s museums are on a human scale, except for the Memorial, where you’ll spend several hours enjoying its modern museography!
Don’t forget to bring rain gear, as the weather can be changeable in Normandy!
Our favorite places
You’ll find details on each museum later in this article, but we couldn’t resist sharing our favourites with you right now!
We particularly liked Caen’s museums:
- The Memorial and its gardens, which taught us a great deal about the history of the 20th century,
- The Musée des Beaux-Arts and its rich permanent collection,
- The Musée de Normandie, where we rediscovered the know-how of our region!
As the Memorial is a very busy place, we advise you to book your entrance now.
City-Pass
The City of Caen has set up a “city-pass”, enabling you to benefit from reduced rates at museums in and around Caen, as well as discounts at numerous partners (restaurants, shops, leisure activities, etc.).
The City-Pass can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours, with or without transport. For more information, visit the official tourist office website here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Caen
Option 1: in the old town center
We recommend..:
- Hotel Best Western Plus Le moderne not far from the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel La Fontaine also near the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- B&B Les Chambres de L’Abbaye, near Abbaye-aux-Hommes – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: to Ouistreham
To sleep more in the countryside or near the beach (15 to 20min from Rouen). We recommend..:
- Hotel Manoir Hastings and its stone houses – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel La Mare Ô Poissons and its swimming pool – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: near the port or station
We recommend..:
- Campanile hotel next to the station – see prices, photos and availability.
1. Caen Memorial
Why visit it? Our review
A memorial site of international importance, the Memorial was inaugurated in 1988. This tourist and cultural site is emblematic of the region, welcoming an average of 400,000 visitors a year. We were not disappointed by this must-see museum, which traces the history of 20th-century conflicts from 1914 to the fall of the Berlin Wall. In addition to interactive visitor facilities, it features memorial gardens to pay tribute to the victims of the Second World War and promote a message of peace.
The 3 things to see during your visit
We learned a lot and were moved by our visit to the Memorial. Here’s what struck us most during our visit:
- visit to the bunker: we explored the former underground command post of German General Wilhelm Richter. This historic site played a crucial role in the first decisive weeks of the Battle of Normandy.
- authentic aircraft: as soon as we entered the museum, we were greeted by a Howker Typhoon. Later, we gazed at a Soviet MIG 21 fighter plane. Impressive!
- historical newspapers: we loved discovering the front pages of period newspapers during our visit. They bear witness to the climate of terror during this period, but also to the explosion of joy at the moment of liberation!
Practical advice
- Open from 9am to 7pm (April 1 to September 30).
- Open from 9.30am to 6pm in low season, except Mondays.
- Closed on January 1, December 25, and for 3 weeks in January.
- Length of visit: 2 hours.
- Full adult fare: €19.80
- Included in the City-Pass.
- The Memorial is a 10-minute drive from the city center, 25 minutes by public transport.
- The official Memorial website is available here.
Read more
- Read our article on the Caen Memorial.
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2. Museum of Fine Arts
Why visit it? Our review
Our visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts was a real highlight. While it is considered a benchmark museum for 17th- and 18th-century European painting, contemporary art also has its place here, with rooms devoted to the avant-garde and a sculpture park! With a wealth of great names in painting (Rembrandt, Dürer, Perugino, Monet…), you can admire masterpieces of all kinds (landscapes, portraits…). There’s something for everyone!
The 3 things to see during your visit
Although our favorites are influenced by our artistic sensibilities, we’d like to share with you the highlights of our visit:
- The Lou sculpture (2015) by Jaume Plensa: we found this face, in the sculpture park, quite simply impressive!
- The Italian Renaissance section (first floor): we thoroughly enjoyed this part of the visit, punctuated by the splendid triptych of The Virgin and Child between St. George and St. James, by Cima da Conegliano.
- Normandy painted by the avant-garde, for example with the work Retreat. La Manneporte, reflections on the waterby Claude Monet.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Mondays in low season.
- Closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, Ascension Day, November 1, December 25.
- Included in the City-Pass.
- Opening hours: 9.30am to 6pm and weekends from 11am to 6pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 1h30 and 2h.
- Full adult admission: €3.50 (non-exhibition)/€5.50 (exhibition period).
- The Musée des Beaux-Arts is a 7-minute drive from downtown Caen, 15 minutes on foot and by public transport.
- The official website of the Musée des Beaux-Arts is available here.
Read more about it:
- Read our article on the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
3. The Normandy Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The Musée de Normandie was a real pleasant surprise! As its name suggests, the museum presents the evolution of the Norman way of life, from prehistory to the beginnings of industrial society. We enjoyed rediscovering the heritage of our region through a section on archaeology and another on history and society. We went back in time thanks to the many period objects on display!
The 3 things to see during your visit
We share with you our selection of what caught our eye the most during our visit:
- Local currencies: did you know that as early as the 2nd century, certain peoples were minting their own coins? At the museum, we were lucky enough to get an up-close look at several period pieces!
- Regional architecture: have you ever wondered how Normandy’s famous half-timbered houses were built? We discovered the secrets of timber-frame construction!
- Textile production in Normandy: between dresses, skirts, blouses, headdresses and other finery, we took a real leap back in time!
Practical advice
- Open all year round, except Mondays in low season.
- Closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, Ascension Day, November 1, December 25.
- Included in the City-Pass.
- Opening hours: 9.30am to 6pm and weekends from 11am to 6pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Full adult admission: €3.50 (non-exhibition)/€5.50 (exhibition period).
- The Musée de Normandie is a 7-minute drive from downtown Caen, 15 minutes on foot and by public transport.
- The official website of the Musée de Normandie is available here.
Read more about it:
- Read our article on the Musée de Normandie.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
4. The Pavilion
Why visit it? Our review
Le Pavillon is a rather atypical place, dedicated to themes related to architecture, urbanism and landscape. Its aim is to raise visitors’ awareness of the prospects for regional development. We appreciated the viewpoint offered by this visit, right at the heart of tomorrow’s planning challenges!
The 3 things to see during your visit
Here are our favorite moments of the visit:
- The “Presqu’île” area: in this area, we discovered the guide plan for the transformation of the presqu’île, on which the museum is located. It was very interesting!
- The exhibition we were lucky enough to see was dedicated to floating projects in the age of climate change, but other equally promising exhibitions are regularly on offer.
- The reading corners on the quayside, with the Urba’bar nearby, are a great way to make the most of the documentary center’s resources.
Practical advice
- Open Wednesday to Sunday year-round, except from late July to mid-August.
- Opening hours: 1pm to 7pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Free admission.
- Le Pavillon is an 8-minute drive from downtown Caen, a 25-minute walk and 20 minutes by public transport.
- The official Pavillon website is available here.
DISCOVER Caen
- What to do in Caen
- Where to stay in Caen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Caen: our best restaurants
- Caen’s best museums
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- Caen Castle
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Rent a car in Caen: our tips
5. Vieux-la-Romaine museum and archaeological site
Why visit it? Our review
Vieux-la-Romaine is Normandy’s only Roman archaeological site. It includes a museum and garden, as well as a collection of Gallo-Roman remains dating from the 3rd century. Whether it’s the house with the U-shaped courtyard and its neighbourhood, the forum and thermal baths, or the house with the large peristyle, they’ve really made an impression on us! The life of an entire ancient capital of Normandy, Aregenua, was taking shape before our very eyes, thanks to the work of archaeologists.
The 3 things to see during your visit
The museum preserves numerous artefacts testifying to daily life in Aregenua during Antiquity. But the elements that caught our attention the most were the remains with..:
- the potter’s kiln: this small kiln is a reminder of the vital importance of the potter, present in every town and village to make all the crockery needed for everyday life!
- the heated mosaic room in the house with the large peristyle: the remains of this house are without doubt the most impressive on the Vieux-la-Romaine site, and in particular one room where you can still make out a mosaic floor!
- The very well-preserved mosaic remains in the reception room: still in the house with the large peristyle you’ll see a mosaic floor whose colors are still visible!
Practical advice
- Open all year except January.
- Opening hours: 9am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 6pm weekends.
- Closed on Wednesdays outside Zone B school vacations, May 1st, November 1st and 11th, December 24th, 25th and 31st.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of the visit: 1 hour
- Full adult price: €5
- Located in the village of Vieux (14930), 15min drive south-west of Caen.
- To find out more, visit the official website here.
Read more about it:
- Our full article on the Vieux-la-Romaine website will soon be available.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
6. And the Château de Caen
Why visit it? Our review
We couldn’t tell you about the Fine Arts and Normandy Museums without mentioning the setting: the Château du Ducal. Built from 1060 onwards, it is one of the largest fortified enclosures in Europe! It bears witness to the city’s power in the time of William the Conqueror, who made it his main residence. Over the centuries, the château has been transformed into a royal fortress and then a military barracks, reflecting the entire history of Caen!
The 3 things to see during your visit
As we strolled through the castle grounds, here are the 3 moments that struck us most:
- Saint-Georges Church, a blend of several architectural styles, witnessed key moments in French history from the Middle Ages to the bombings of 1944.
- The Salle de l’Échiquier, which could accommodate up to 1,000 knights for receptions held by the Duchy of Normandy.
- The keep with its large moat, nearly 30m high in the 12th century.
Practical advice
- Open all year round.
- Closed at night.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 1h and 1h30.
- Free admission.
- The Château de Caen is a 5-minute drive from downtown Caen, 10 minutes on foot and 7 minutes by public transport.
- The official Château de Caen website is available here.
Please note: the site is being redeveloped until 2037, including a redevelopment of the castle grounds until 2025, which may have an impact on your visit experience.
Read more about it:
- Read our article on Caen’s Ducal Castle.
Caen’s unusual museums
Looking for something off the beaten track? You’ll find what you’re looking for in Caen! Here are a few ideas that will amaze you:
- Espace Yvonne-Guégan: this studio museum is dedicated to a Caen artist, Yvonne Guégan. Active in the 20th century, she welcomed amateurs into her home, a practice that continues today in the garden workshops. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm.
- Jardin de la Luna Rossa: close to the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, this garden museum run by an association hides works of art brut. This garden is open on Sundays from April to October, from 10am to 6pm.
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Museums to do with children
Are you visiting Caen as a family? Here are our suggestions for visits to delight young and old alike:
- The Musée d’Initiation à la Nature: included in the City-Pass, this visit offers a 1st discovery of the fauna, flora and minerals of Normandy. This small, child-friendly natural history museum is free of charge and open all year round. For more information, visit the official website here.
- Le Monde Miniature (Clécy): this family-friendly museum takes you on a journey into the infinitely small, with some of Europe’s largest animated miniature landscapes! Open all year round, this museum 35 minutes from Caen even has a play area for children! Find out more on the official website here.
- Parc Ornavik: this historic park takes us back to Viking times. Open all year round, it’s the perfect change of scenery, just 10 minutes from Caen! To find out more, visit the official website here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
Other D-Day museums around Caen
While Caen is home to the Memorial, there are many other museums in the surrounding area where you can learn more about the history of the D-Day landings. We recommend a visit:
- The Pegasus Memorial: recalls the arrival of the 1st liberators of the British 6th Airborne Division on June 5-6, 1944. Located 20 minutes from Caen, this museum is open all year round and features documents and objects from the period. To find out more, click here.
- Radar Station 44: housed in the former German detection station, you’ll discover the history of radar and its importance in the Second World War. For more information, visit the official website here.
- The Merville Battery Museum: this battery is a German fortification destroyed by British aircraft during the D-Day landings. An educational tour takes you to 5 bunkers that have been converted into a museum. Find out more on the official website here. Take an excursion to visit this museum and the famous D-Day beaches: see prices, availability and book.
- The Atlantic Wall Museum Grand Bunker: the museum, housed in a blockhouse, is dedicated to the fortification of the Atlantic Wall. To find out more, read our dedicated article!
All our tips in this article were put into words with the help of Fanny.
