Caen Travelers Recommend

The city of Caen in Calvados is a good base for seeing many top Normandy sites of interest including Normandy D-Day battlefield sites and the towns of Bayeux and Mont Saint-Michel. Here are a few adventurous day trips in northwestern France to enjoy from Caen.

Mont Saint-Michel

Widely considered among France’s most important sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island commune of Mont Saint-Michel is a must-visit in northwestern France. See all the best spots on a private guided tour that walks along ancient, cobbled alleyways, ramparts, and through the abbey while offering insight into its 1,000-plus years of history.

Normandy D-Day Battlefield Sites

Take a guided tour to Pointe du Hoc and famous D-Day landing beaches such as Arromanches and Omaha, and hear powerful stories of D-Day beaches and battlefields along the Normandy coastline.  Some tours visit the Normandy American Cemetery and memorial grounds near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.

Bayeux

One of the most important historic artifacts in Europe, the Bayeux Tapestry dates back to the 11th century and shines a light on the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England. Skip transportation and navigation worries and take a guided tour of Bayeux for context to attractions such as Notre-Dame de Bayeux Cathedral, the original home of the tapestry.

Honfleur

The picturesque port town of Honfleur was a favorite of Impressionist painters including Claude Monet, and the harbor still attracts artists and photographers today. Explore winding streets of half-timbered houses, soak up the atmosphere in traditional harborside cafes, and see Honfleur’s charms for yourself. Combine a visit to Honfleur with a tour that also includes Deauville and Trouville.

Rouen

Capital of the Normandy region, the medieval city of Rouen makes for a prime day trip from Caen. The city is home to top attractions including Rouen Cathedral—a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with the country’s tallest church spire—and the square where Joan of Arc was executed. Monet’s gardens at Giverny are also nearby, and some day trips from Caen take in both sites.

Three days give you plenty of time to discover Caen’s historic sites and museums, visit the D-Day landing beaches, and explore more of Normandy—top attractions such as Mont St. Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry are within day-tripping distance. Here are some ideas for how to spend three days in Caen.

Day 1: Caen and Bayeux

The former home of William the Conqueror has played an important role in French history so Caen’s historic center is best explored on a walking tour, during which a guide provides historical insight that you’re unlikely to find in the guidebook. Tours typically cover Caen Castle (Château de Caen); Abbaye aux Hommes, where William the Conqueror is buried; and the Old Town, home to the Gothic Church of Saint-Pierre and the timber-framed Maison des Quatrans.

In the afternoon, head to neighboring Bayeux, where the star attraction is the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry. Book your tickets in advance for the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (Musée de la Tapisserie), which attracts large crowds, or if you visit independently, pick up an audio guide to learn more about the 1,000-year-old masterpiece. Back in Caen, indulge in regional specialties such as Normandy cider, camembert cheese, and tarte aux pommes (apple tart) at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Discover the D-Day Beaches

Caen lies a short drive from the D-Day beaches, where one of the most significant events of World War II took place. Landing beaches, battlefields, and WWII sites are dotted along the coast, so having your own transport is essential—joining a tour lets you avoid the hassle of car hire and allows you to cover multiple beaches in just one day.

Most day trips visit Omaha Beach, Arromanches, and Pointe du Hoc, and typically stop at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, or Bayeux War Cemetery. To understand more about the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy, there are also a number of museums worth visiting. To avoid waiting in line, book tickets in advance for the Falaise Civilians in Wartime Memorial, the Caen Memorial and Museum, or the Arromanches 360° Cinema. Or, if you want to explore at your own pace, pick up an audio guide.

Day 3: Mont St. Michel

Spend your final day exploring further afield on a day trip. Explore the picturesque port towns of Honfleur and Deauville; visit orchards, dairy farms, and Calvados distilleries on a tasting tour; or marvel at Normandy’s most-visited attraction, Mont St. Michel. Dramatically situated on an island off the coast of south Normandy, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monastery makes for some impressive photos. Most Mont St. Michel excursions include a walking tour of the hilltop monastery, as well as free time to browse the shops in Mont St. Michel village and enjoy a Breton galette (savory buckwheat pancake)—a specialty of neighboring Brittany.

If you prefer to travel independently, book a round-trip shuttle transfer from Caen and spend the day at your leisure, without having to worry about hiring a car or driving.

Whether you visit Caen on a day trip from Paris or stop over as you travel through Normandy, one day in Caen is just enough time to take in the highlights, visit the D-Day landing beaches, and tuck into some tasty Norman cuisine. Here are some ideas for how to spend one day in Caen.

Morning: Beaches and Battlefields

Caen makes a strategic basecamp for visiting the D-Day landing beaches. To visit all of Normandy's WWII battlefields, taking a full-day tour is best, but it’s possible to visit key sites such as Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in one morning. Join a tour to fit as much in as possible. If you prefer to stay in town, head to the Mémorial de Caen (Caen Memorial) museum to pay tribute to the Allied soldiers who lost their lives and learn more about the Battle of Normandy. Prebook your tickets to avoid lines.

Afternoon: Sightseeing in the City

As the one-time home of William the Conqueror, Caen has no shortage of historic landmarks. Take a walking tour to follow in the footsteps of the first Norman king of England at Caen Castle (Château de Caen), which affords panoramic views from its ramparts. Continue to the grand Abbaye aux Hommes, where the Norman king infamously married Matilda of Flanders, and head inside to visit his tomb. Then, stroll around the historic center, where architectural highlights include the Gothic Church of Saint-Pierre and the timber-framed Maison des Quatrans. Don't miss maze-like streets around Place Saint-Sauveur—full of shops, cafes, and bakeries.

Night: Sample Norman Cuisine

Normandy’s cuisine is renowned throughout France, and it’s most famous for its three Cs—Camembert cheese, cider, and calvados (apple brandy). Book a table at one of the restaurants along Quai Vendeuvre and tuck into local specialties such as seafood or fish stew, followed by a classic tarte aux pommes (apple tart). Those who want to carry on the festivities should head to Rue Ecuyère, the heart of Caen’s nightlife scene, where the bars and pubs often have live music and DJs playing until the early hours.

With two days in Caen, you have time to explore the port city and venture further afield. Discover the D-Day Landing beaches, see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, and sample Normandy’s delicious cuisine (accompanied by a glass of cider, of course). Here are some ideas for how to spend two days in Caen.

Day 1: Caen and Bayeux

Morning: A walking tour of Caen is the most convenient way to take in the sights, and visiting with a guide means you can learn more about the city’s most famous former resident—William the Conqueror. Climb up to the ramparts of Caen Castle (Château de Caen) for a panoramic city view; visit the grand Abbaye aux Hommes, where William the Conqueror is buried; and admire the Gothic Church of Saint-Pierre.

Afternoon: The nearby town of Bayeux makes an easy detour from Caen, and its star attraction is the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (Musée de la Tapisserie). After admiring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed artwork, stroll around Old Town, where highlights include the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, Conservatory of Lace (Conservatoire de la Dentelle), and Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy.

Night: Book a table at one of the waterfront restaurants along Quai Vendeuvre to sample local delicacies such as fish stew or a meat dish à la Normande (with a creamy sauce). For the full experience, couple it with a glass of Normandy cider, then finish with a cheese plate—Camembert is another regional favorite—and a classic tarte aux pommes (apple tart).

Day 2: Beaches and Battlefields

Morning: Popular day trips from Caen include the nearby city of Rouen and the UNESCO-listed island monastery of Mont Saint Michel, but if you’ve only got time for one, opt for a tour that explores Normandy’s World War II sites. Learn about the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy as you visit Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc; then pay your respects to the fallen soldiers at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.

Afternoon: The Caen Memorial (Mémorial de Caen) is a moving tribute to the Allied soldiers who lost their lives, as well as a museum with insight into the WWII battles, D-Day invasions, and the war's lasting impact. Prebook your tickets to avoid waiting in line and have more time to browse the exhibitions.

Night: The bars and live music venues along Rue Ecuyère fill up with locals in the evening hours, so head there to sample Caen’s student-centric nightlife scene. Alternatively, summer visitors should head to the coast—nearby seaside towns such as Cabourg, Ouistreham, and Luc-sur-Mer host lively night markets.

The first Norman king of England left a grand legacy in Caen, from the ramparts of Caen Castle to the former Benedictine monastery where William the Conqueror is buried. To explore William the Conqueror’s Caen in Normandy and glimpse a fascinating time when battles, rebellions, and treaties transformed Europe, visit these medieval sites.

Caen Castle (Chateau de Caen)

Take a stroll on the ramparts of Caen Castle, which William the Conqueror built in 1060, for kingly views of Caen and the surrounding French countryside. The fortified castle now houses the Normandy Museum (Musée de Normandie) and Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux Arts), so it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the grounds.

Abbaye aux Dames (Women’s Abbey)

Pay your respects to Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, at the Benedictine monastery that she founded—she's buried here under an imposing slab of black marble. Though the abbey has seen hundreds of years of tumult and change, it’s been restored to its former glory. Spot vaults in the cloister gallery, descend into the crypt, and join a guided tour to unlock nearly 1,000 years of history. 

Abbaye aux Hommes (Men’s Abbey)

A monk’s counterpart to the Abbaye aux Dames, this Romanesque masterpiece houses William the Conqueror’s tomb. Though it’s possible to buy tickets for an independent visit, some areas— including the king’s tomb—are only open to visitors on a guided tour. And don’t rush off when the visit concludes, since the abbey’s peaceful gardens are the perfect spot to stroll following your visit.

Bayeux Tapestry

Follow the hand-stitched story of William the Conqueror’s most famous exploit at the nearby town of Bayeux, 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Caen. The 230-foot (70-meter) embroidered cloth depicting the Norman conquest of England is full of vivid detail that draws you into the battles of 1066. The tapestry is a highlight of Normandy, and a stop that’s included on many guided tours of the area.