Is Caen worth a visit? Planning your next vacation or weekend getaway?
Caen, capital of Basse-Normandie, is a lively city, ideally located 2 hours from Paris, close to the French Riviera. Côte Fleurie and the D-Day landing beaches. Known for its memorial and château, Caen is home to architectural treasures spared by the Allied bombing raids of 1944. The city of William the Conqueror will surprise you with its artistic heritage, half-timbered houses and port, as well as its nightlife and lush green spaces.
In this article, we give you our 10 reasons to go to Caen, and a few points to keep in mind.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Is Caen worth visiting?
Caen, Normandy’s main student city, is well worth a visit for several reasons. First of all, it’s a metropolis on a human scale, where it’s pleasant to stroll around. The lively town center is home to many shops and excellent restaurants. You’re sure to fall for the charm of these half-timbered houses, just as we did.
But Caen is most famous for its history. The legacy of William the Conqueror can be seen in the many monuments (Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Château ducal…)! You can then find out more about the Second World War by visiting the Memorial. Did you know that Allied bombing raids in 1944 destroyed around 1/3 of the city’s surface area and 2/3 of its built volume?
The capital of Calvados also offers a pleasant setting for nature lovers, with its port, Orne canal and numerous parks. Night owls will find plenty to do in this town, where Normans love to go out and have fun.
Check out our article on the best things to do, see and visit in Caen!
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.
Reason 1 – For the charm of the Vaugueux district
Caen’s medieval heritage has been partly preserved despite the bombardments of the Second World War. Such is the case in Caen’s picturesque Vaugueux district, which we particularly enjoyed!
Narrow cobbled streets, medieval Caen stone houses, small squares, bars and restaurants are all emblematic of this lively district. Edith Piaf even used to visit her grandparents who owned a café there! Explore Caen’ s neighborhoods with a local guide!
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Reason 2 – For its heritage linked to William the Conqueror
Caen is also known as the City of William the Conqueror, and for good reason! He was responsible for the town’s development in the 11th century, and made it his principal residence. For this reason, from 1060 onwards, he had the ducal castle built, which today is one of the largest fortified enclosures in Europe.
The Duke of Normandy, and future King of England, also built a number of religious edifices, including the impressive Abbaye-aux-Hommes. This monastic complex enabled William the Conqueror to regain the support of the Church, which he had disobeyed by marrying his cousin Matilda of Flanders. To find out all the secrets of this monument, take a look at our dedicated article!
For the same reason, Mathilde de Flandres ordered the construction of the Abbaye-aux-Dames to the north of the city. See our forthcoming article on this monument.
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Reason 3 – To better understand the history of D-Day
A major cultural site in Normandy, the Peace Memorial is also one of Europe’s leading memorial sites, welcoming an average of 400,000 visitors a year. Opened in 1988, the museum traces the history of 20th-century conflicts from 1914 to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Caen, the martyred city of the Liberation, has thus become a key place of remembrance. Due to the popularity of this site, we recommend that you book your tickets now. Find out more about the museum in our dedicated article.
You can take advantage of your stay in Caen to explore the D-Day beaches. Omaha Beach is just 40 minutes from Caen. You don’t have a car? Don’t panic! You can book a guided tour of the memorial and the D-Day landing beaches with pick-up from Caen station!
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.
Reason 4 – For its museums and artistic heritage
Caen is an artistic city. Lovers of contemporary art will be delighted, whether at the FRAC (Fonds Régional d’Art Contemporain), where exhibitions are held regularly, or at the Artothèque. However, it’s the Musée des Beaux-Arts that really appealed to us! Its rich collections feature works from the Renaissance to the 20th century. To find out more, visit our dedicated article!
Next door to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée de Normandie traces the history of the region’s populations from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. Read our article dedicated to this company museum.
Read our article on the best museums in Caen!
Reason 5 – For its architectural treasures
The capital of Basse-Normandie is home to many architectural treasures. Such is the case of the tourist office, which is housed in a Renaissance mansion known as the “Hôtel d’Escoville”. The Leroy Tower, erected in the 14th century to protect the harbor, is a vestige of the old medieval enclosure.
But it’s the half-timbered houses that are most emblematic of Caen, like the Maison des Quatrans, that caught our eye.
The town is also dotted with beautiful churches. In addition to the Church of Saint-Etienne next to the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, in which William the Conqueror is buried, don’t miss the Church of Saint-Pierre. This richly decorated parish church was built in the 12th century, but was completed in a sumptuous Renaissance style!
The other religious buildings are also worth a visit if you have the time. Don’t hesitate to enter the doors of the Église Saint-Jean and the Église du Vieux Saint-Sauveur.
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
Reason 6 – For its gastronomy and excellent restaurants
The capital of Basse-Normandie boasts many restaurants. There’s something for every taste and budget. You’ll find bistronomic restaurants in every part of the city. Our favorite is L’Aromate, which offers refined cuisine using local produce.
If you want to eat healthily and in unusual surroundings, Caen is the place to be. We particularly liked L’Okara, an organic and vegan canteen. But our favorite is the restaurant/bar Moon & Sons, which offers vegan cuisine in a world inspired by Harry Potter!
Discover our 15 best restaurant addresses in Caen!
Reason 7 – For nature’s place in the city
Caen is a city close to nature. In fact, it boasts a number of green spaces: the Jardin des Plantes, the Parc Claude Decaen, the Parc Michel d’Ornano next to the Abbaye-aux-Dames…the most famous of which is the Colline aux Oiseaux, adjacent to the Memorial. This 7-hectare floral park won us over with its labyrinth, rose garden and variety of flora and fauna.
We also recommend a stroll from the port along the banks of the River Orne. Here you’ll find the start of the greenway linking Caen to Ouistreham. If you keep going, you’ll come across lovely monuments like the Chapelle du Petit Lourdes, the Château de Beauregard and the Château de Bénouville! It’s also possible to take a walk on the right bank of the Orne, where you’ll find a number of hiking trails.
Reason 8 – For its nightlife and entertainment venues
Thanks to its student population, Caen is a lively city, especially in the evenings. Rue Écuyère is famous for its bars, where you can try the Caen cocktail “L’Embuscade”, a blend of white wine, Calvados, cream from Cassis, lemon juice and beer. The port is also a lively place after dark.
For your entertainment, you can opt for an escape game: Caen you Escape, Get Out! Caen or Petits Meurtres entre Amis, which offers investigations for children. If you speak English and German, you can explore the city through a duo game on your smartphone!
Are you with your family? We recommend a trip to Festyland, Normandy’s largest amusement park, just 10 minutes from Caen. Are you a Viking fan? You can’t miss Ornavik Park, just a 15-minute drive from the city of William the Conqueror. Look out for our dedicated article soon!
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.
Reason 9 – For its proximity to the Côte Fleurie
The capital of Calvados has a considerable advantage: it’s just 20 minutes from the sea at Ouistreham, where the Orne River flows into the town. This coastline, known as the Côte Fleurie, is Normandy’s most popular and touristic area, with famous seaside resorts such as Cabourg and Deauville. Here are the main journey times to give you an idea of the distances involved:
- Driving time to Ouistreham: 20min.
- Driving time to Cabourg: 35min.
- Driving time to Houlgate: 40min.
- Driving time to Deauville-Trouville: 55min.
- Driving time to Honfleur: 55min.
Take a look at our articles on where to go between Deauville, Cabourg and Honfleur, and our article on what to do in Deauville and its famous beaches.
Read our articleon the best things to do in Caen!
Reason 10 – For its accessibility from Paris
You can reach Caen from Paris by TER train in 2h30, making Caen an ideal weekend destination.
By car, it takes 3 hours to reach the capital of Basse-Normandie (A13 and N814). As its peripherals are regularly clogged, we advise you to avoid entering and leaving the office.
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…
Some disadvantages of a trip to Caen
The weather
The weather in Normandy is quite changeable, and Caen is no exception. We recommend that you bring rain gear and plan indoor activities in case the weather turns nasty!
The influx
As mentioned above, Caen can be difficult to reach by car due to rush-hour traffic jams. We also recommend parking in underground parking lots, the quickest solution. Otherwise, attendance in Caen is relatively moderate, apart from at the Memorial, which is very busy all year round.
Practical tips for getting to Caen, France.
Caen is located in north-western France in the Normandy region.
To get to Caen, you can opt for the train. Regular TER trains serve Paris, Rennes, Tours, Le Mans, and towns in Normandy such as Rouen, Lisieux, Cherbourg and Coutances.
See available timetables and book your train and coach tickets now.
You can also drive to Caen. The town is easily accessible from other Normandy towns such as Le Havre and Rouen, as well as from Paris and Lyon via the A13 freeway. If you’re coming from west coast cities such as Rennes or Nantes, you’ll need to take the A84.
If you’re traveling by car from other European countries, you’ll need to plan your route around your point of departure, using European freeways such as the E19 or E35.
You can also fly to Caen from the main cities in Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, Figari), the south of France (Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, Toulouse) and Lyon.
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.
All our tips in this article were put into words with the help of Fanny.
