What to See & Do
Caen Overall Appeal ★★★☆☆
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Caen Memorial | ★★★★☆ | Museum - WWII, Cold War | Self | Paid |
| 02 | Men's Abbey | ★★★★☆ | Abbey | Either | Paid |
| 03 | Women's Abbey | ★★★☆☆ | Abbey | Self | Free |
| 04 | St. Pierre Church | ★★★☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 05 | City Center | ★★☆☆☆ | Waking Around | Self | Free |
| 06 | Colline aux Oiseaux | ★★☆☆☆ | Park | Self | Free |
| 07 | Caen Castle | ★★☆☆☆ | Castle Enclosure | Self | Free |
| 10 | St. Pierre's Gate | ★★☆☆☆ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 08 | Fine Arts Museum | ★★☆☆☆ | Museum - Art | Self | Paid |
| 09 | Normandy Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - History | Self | Paid |
| 11 | St. Jean Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 12 | Caen Markets | ★☆☆☆☆ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 13 | Marina | ★☆☆☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 14 | Self-drive River Boat | ★☆☆☆☆ | Motorboating | Self | Paid |
| 15 | Botanical Garden | ★☆☆☆☆ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 16 | Caen Tourist Train | ★☆☆☆☆ | City Train Tour | Tour | Paid |
01. Caen Memorial
Appeal ★★★★☆
Type WWII & Cold War Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
A highly acclaimed museum focusing on World War II and the Cold War. It offers extensive exhibits, multimedia displays, and emotional narratives.
It has also 2 small memorial gardens outside.
02. Men's Abbey
Appeal ★★★★☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self or Guided
Cost Paid
An impressive historical abbey founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Notable for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
There are guided visits in English during the summer.
03. Women's Abbey
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Abbey
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Women’s Abbey is a historic Benedictine convent founded in the 11th century by Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror.
04. St. Pierre Church
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Pierre Church is a Gothic church in the heart of Caen,built from the 13th to the 16th century, it reflects the transition between Rayonnant and Flamboyant Gothic styles, followed by Renaissance.
05. City Center
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
The town center of Caen is a mix of historic buildings and modern amenities.
It has been the heart of Caen since its founding in the 11th century. It suffered extensive damage during World War II bombings but was rebuilt in the post-war era.
Neighborhood
– Vaugueux
Square
– Place St. Pierre
Streets
– St. Pierre
– Froide
– St. Sauveur
– Fromages
– Ecuyères
06. Colline aux Oiseaux
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Park
Visit Self
Cost Free
Colline aux Oiseaux is an expansive park that includes a beautiful garden and a small farm.
07. Caen Castle
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Castle Enclosure
Visit Self
Cost Free
Caen Castle is a historic site founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
It retains its fortifications. It houses small museums and offers open spaces for exploration.
08. St. Pierre's Gate
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Pierre’s Gate is part of Caen Castle’s enclosure.
It offers a panorama of the castle’s surroundings and St. Pierre Church across the street.
09. Fine Arts Museum
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Fine Arts Museum in Caen features a rich collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
It’s located within Caen Castle’s enclosure.
10. Normandy Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type History Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Normandy Museum provides historical exhibits focused on the regional history of Normandy, from prehistoric times to the modern era.
It’s located within Caen Castle’s enclosure.
11. St. Jean Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Jean Church, with its Gothic architecture, is a historic site that is less frequented by tourists. It usually offers a quiet visit compared to the more popular St. Pierre Church.
12. Caen Markets
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Food Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
Caen has three main outdoor food markets that take place in three different locations each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
13. Marina
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
The English Channel connects to the city of Caen via a canal. Near the city center, there is a basin where pleasure boats are moored.
14. Self-drive River Boat
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Motorboating,
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Explore Caen’s waterways at your own pace with an electric boat or pedal boat.
15. Botanical Garden
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Garden
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Botanical Garden in Caen showcases a variety of local flora, tropical greenhouses and a medicinal section,
16. Caen Tourist Train
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type City Train Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
The Caen Tourist Train offers a convenient and audioguided tour of the city’s main attractions and historical sites.
