Caen (Calvados)

The Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen

Old Buildings in Caen

The Abbaye aux Dames in Caen

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Caen (Calvados) mini guide

Caen is a fascinating city. It is the capital and largest city of Basse Normandy. It is a thriving commercial and University Centre and has historical roots dating back before William the Conqueror.

The city was rebuilt after the second World war and Caen offers today an extraordinary mix of old and new sights.

Some very old half-timbered houses are still beautiful to see, especially along rue Vaugeux; it has also plenty of well-maintained parks and green spaces.

Various markets are held daily, the main one taking place each Friday.

The main shopping district lies in the modern part of the city with numerous cafes and restaurants. The pleasure port is where most of the action takes place in the summer.

William the Conqueror, who loved Caen, built two fantastic abbeys and a castle in the mid 11th century on the bank of the river Orne. All the buildings survived the destruction of the bombardments in 1944. The Ducal Castle, built around 1060 by William as a home for him and his wife Matilda, is one of the largest fortified fortresses in Europe. It contains a wealth of mediaeval treasures.

Caen War Memorial and Battles of Normandy
One cannot go to Caen and not visit the thought provoking "Caen War Memorial". The first museum devoted to the 20th century, from the World War 2 to the fall of the Berlin Wall, and to the world of the cold war. It is a unique place with the wealth of the collection exhibited and the innovation of its presentation.  It also proposes a debate on the future of the planet.

Guided tours of the D-DAY Landing beaches with all the interesting and fascinating sights of our recent history. Monuments, museums, bunkers and cemeteries are a living commemoration to the Battle of Normandy.

Other attractions

Park Festyland: Theme park on 7 hectares of greenery and flowers combining culture and leisure on the ever-present theme of Normandy.

Boat trip on board the "Hastings"

Caen has numerous interesting Museums and places and gardens to visit, among them, Le Jardin Botanique, which is worth a visit, the Museum of Normandy, the Museum Des Beaux Arts and the Model of Rome.

Guided tours of the D-DAY Landing beaches with all the interesting and fascinating sights of our recent history. Monuments, museums, bunkers and cemeteries are a living commemoration to the Battle of Normandy.