Caen Travel Guide

  Men's Abbey + Church
by darkjedi
 
  • Men's Abbey + Church
      Men's Abbey + Church
    by darkjedi
  • Chateau of William the Conqueror
      Chateau of William the Conqueror
    by Beausoleil
  • Caen castle
      Caen castle
    by Pod
  • Caen castle.
      Caen castle.
    by Pod
  •   Caen
    by myriam_c
 

Pro

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 Superb transport links, terrific base for D-Day Beaches 


Con

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 none 


In a nutshell

Mikebond profile photo

 it confirms that war cannot destroy art 

 

Explore Caen

Things to Do  

Visit the World War II Cemetery and Memorial

Visit the World War II Cemetery and Memorial, Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is outside of Colleville-sur-Mer but a good base for visiting is the nearby city of Caen. You can combine the visit to the Cemetery with a visit to the Caen Peace Memorial and nearby Pegasus Bridge with the small museum and river walk... 

Pegasus Bridge near Caen

Pegasus Bridge near Caen, Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  The Benouville-Pegusus Bridge is a must-see if you are visiting World War II sites. Pegasus, the flying horse, was the emblem of the 6th British Airborne Division and they captured the bridge on June 6, 1944 thus maintaining a vital transportation link for the Allies.It's a... 

The Caen Peace Memorial

The Caen Peace Memorial, Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  When you get your ticket, take the option for full lunch in the restaurant. The museum is large and emotionally draining (all that war and violence) so you need a break and the food is excellent.You start down a curving ramp . . . descending into the horrors of war... 

The Abbey of Women (L'Abbaye-aux-Dames)

The Abbey of Women (L'Abbaye-aux-Dames), Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  There are two major abbeys in Caen, one is L'Abbaye-aux-Dames and the other one is (you guessed it) L'Abbaye-aux-Hommes. The Abbey of Saint-Étienne is usually called the Abbey of Men. The two abbeys were built by William the Conqueror and his wife Mathilda. Official Web site... 

Wonderful churches in Caen

Wonderful churches in Caen, Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  Directly across the street from the chateau is Eglise St. Pierre. It has a slightly curved apse so is particularly interesting. We had seen this in Quimper in Bretagne but it is very eye-catching when you first see it. Official Web Site of Eglise St. PierreHere is my journal... 

The Botanical Gardens (the "Museum of flowers")

The Botanical Gardens (the "Museum of flowers"), Caen

 annase Says:  The botanical garden of Caen (Jardin botanique de Caen) is built on a terrain of an old stone quarry Caen. One side extraction is still visible. In the lower part is about 5,000 square meters big and hosts flora (1,000 species) typical to Normandy. There is also a medicinal... 

Fine Arts Museum - Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen

Fine Arts Museum - Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen, Caen

 annase Says:  This museum is located in the heart of the Caen Castle (the medieval castle built by William the Conqueror) in a modern building. The museum has a selection of paintings from the 15th to 20th centuries. Lots of early arts is rather religious in kind. The museum is in fact... 

Hotels  

Mercure Caen Centre Port De Plaisance

 1 Review and 63 Opinions  I use for years all over the world the ACCOR chain of hotels, and have been fantastic. I am a... 

Best Western Le Dauphin

 2 Reviews and 38 Opinions  Atmosphere and location is what the place is all about. Converted from an old abbey, it features... 

Restaurants  

Auberge de la Cremaillere: A little way from Caen, a great restaurant.

Auberge de la Cremaillere: A little way from Caen, a great restaurant., Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  This charming little restaurant is not in the city of Caen. You have to drive to St. Sylvain southeast of the city. It is definitely worth the trip!We were renting a gite nearby so it was quite close for us but it is listed under Gastronomique Restaurants on the Caen Web... 

Restaurants on the Rue du Vaugueux: Local specialities, sunny and heated terraces

Restaurants on the Rue du Vaugueux: Local specialities, sunny and heated terraces, Caen

 annase Says:  This short, quiet, but very pretty historical street is full of small, unique restaurants, serving local and global cuisine. none of them are part of any chain though so they are pretty original! Most of the restaurants also have a sunny terrace in the front and the locals... 

Senzala: Brazilian take away

Senzala: Brazilian take away, Caen

 annase Says:  Mon Dieu, this place is awesome! It is super small and mainly specialised in take away food, but not just any take away food, but Brazilian food. There is very limited seating available since most people take their food home, but the Brazilian lady who owned the place was... 

Les Petites Bouches (LPB): Lovely newly opened local

Les Petites Bouches (LPB): Lovely newly opened local, Caen

 annase Says:  We found this awesome little restaurant called Les Petites Bouches ('The Little Lips') by chance. We were looking for somewhere to eat as we were starving and none of the bar brasseries along the main pedestrian streets seemed to be serving food as early as 7pm. The... 

Le Triplex: Super tasty and fresh creps and salads

Le Triplex: Super tasty and fresh creps and salads, Caen

 annase Says:  This lovely, very tiny crepeterie called 'Le Triplex' is located along the short, historical street called Rue du Vaugeueux, a must see in Caen. I had the most delicious and super fresh salad (Salad L'Italien or 'Italian salad') with Italian spices, mozzarella cheese, the... 

Nightlife  

Cafe Latin: Latin favour

Cafe Latin: Latin favour, Caen

 annase Says:  Don't let the word 'cafe' fool you. 'Cafe' in France is often actually a bar. Cafe Latin is a nice, small bar with Spanish and South American theme. They serve all major drinks including mojito, sangria, caipirinha and tehre is also tapas from 6pm on Saturdays. Happy hour... 

Transportation  

D-Day beaches bus tour

D-Day beaches bus tour, Caen

 ATLC Says:  Thanks to Beausoleil's reply in the travel forum, here's a link to a day trip by bus to 3 of the D-Day beaches. Read the discussion hereThe full day tour costs € 14 per person and departs from the train station in Caen and also ends there. So you can take a train from... 

Local trains

Local trains, Caen

 darkjedi Says:  Owner RFF / SNCF RFF / SNCF Exploitant Operator SNCF SNCF Services Corail Intercités : ( Paris Saint-Lazare , Cherbourg , Tours ). Coral Intercités: (Paris Saint-Lazare, Cherbourg, Tours). TER : ( Rouen , Saint-Lô , Rennes , Le Mans ) TER: (Rouen, Saint-Lo, Rennes, Le Mans) 

Shopping  

L'accro du bain: Bath products

L'accro du bain: Bath products, Caen

 glosshine Says:  store bath products with scents gourmet specialist duck for the bath, bath toy. Once in the store you are on leave with a product so it's great In this store there is something for all budgets (minimum 1€) 

Warnings and Dangers  

Railway station automated toilets

Railway station automated toilets, Caen

 darkjedi Says:  Automated toilets require you to insert 30 cents into a slot and a door will open, you then enter and use the facilities until you are ready to leave, then open the door with a button on the wall. If there is someone using the toilets when you arrive at them, do not under... 

Heart Attack?

Heart Attack?, Caen

 darkjedi Says:  Should you feel a sudden pain in the chest area you will be very glad to know that at various locations around Caen are placed Defribulators in which case passing doctors will be able to have the equipment at hand to re-start your heart. 

Off The Beaten Path  

Visit the area around Caen, beautiful!

Visit the area around Caen, beautiful!, Caen

 Beausoleil Says:  There are many things to do in the area of Caen. You can base yourself in Caen, Bayeux or one of the charming small villages nearby. We once spent a month in Cauvicourt and had plenty to do the entire time.Caen is in the region of Calvados in Basse Normandie. We have spent... 

Historical street: Rue du Vaugueux

Historical street: Rue du Vaugueux, Caen

 annase Says:  This short, quiet, but very pretty street is pedestrian only. It is located between the Cean Castle and the port. It is one of the few remaining, very old and historical parts of Caen. Historical records mention the street for the first time in 1210. The street also gave its... 

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Map of Caen