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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: EUR
- Languages: French
- Climate: Oceanic
- Timezone: Europe/Paris
- Population: Approximately 106,000 residents
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit Caen is from May to September for pleasant weather.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter France visa-free for short stays up to 90 days. For longer stays or other nationalities, a Schengen visa or appropriate visa is required. E-visa options are not applicable for France, but visa on arrival is generally not available. Travelers should have a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds.
About Caen
Caen is a charming city in the Normandy region of France, rich in history and culture. Known for its pivotal role in World War II, particularly the Battle of Normandy, Caen offers visitors a unique blend of historical landmarks, modern amenities, and vibrant local life. The city features impressive medieval architecture, including the Château de Caen and the Abbey of Saint-Étienne, founded by William the Conqueror. Caen’s museums, such as the Memorial Museum, provide deep insights into the region’s wartime past. Beyond history, Caen boasts lively markets, quaint streets, and a welcoming atmosphere. Its proximity to the Normandy coast makes it an excellent base for exploring the D-Day beaches and picturesque countryside. Visitors are drawn by the city’s cultural festivals, culinary delights, and the warm hospitality of its residents. Caen’s blend of heritage, accessibility, and scenic surroundings make it a compelling destination for history buffs, families, and travelers seeking an authentic French experience.
Top Attractions
1. Château de Caen – A massive medieval fortress built by William the Conqueror, offering panoramic views and historical exhibitions. 2. Memorial Museum of Caen – A comprehensive museum dedicated to World War II and peace, featuring interactive displays and artifacts. 3. Abbey of Saint-Étienne – A stunning Romanesque abbey with beautiful architecture and serene gardens. 4. Caen Botanical Garden – A peaceful green space showcasing a variety of plant species and themed gardens. 5. Église Saint-Pierre – A Gothic-style church located in the city center, known for its impressive stained glass windows and historic significance.
Popular Activities
Visitors to Caen can enjoy guided historical tours, especially focusing on World War II sites and medieval heritage. Walking and cycling around the city and nearby countryside are popular ways to explore. The city hosts cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including music and art festivals. Food lovers can participate in local market visits and cooking classes to experience Normandy’s culinary traditions. Day trips to the nearby D-Day landing beaches and picturesque villages offer adventure and exploration opportunities. For relaxation, visitors can stroll through parks and along the Orne River.
Caen Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Normandy
- Duration Range: Visitors to Caen can enjoy guided historical tours, especially focusing on World War II sites and medieval heritage. Walking and cycling around the city and nearby countryside are popular ways to explore. The city hosts cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including music and art festivals. Food lovers can participate in local market visits and cooking classes to experience Normandy’s culinary traditions. Day trips to the nearby D-Day landing beaches and picturesque villages offer adventure and exploration opportunities. For relaxation, visitors can stroll through parks and along the Orne River.
- Group Size: Flexible group sizes
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
- Recommended For: The best time to visit Caen is from May to September for pleasant weather. Pack comfortable walking shoes and layers due to variable oceanic climate conditions. Respect local customs such as greeting with a polite "Bonjour" and using formal address in shops and restaurants. Caen is generally safe, but usual precautions for personal belongings apply. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some euros in cash is advisable for small purchases or markets. Learning a few basic French phrases enhances the experience.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $39
Highest Price Tour: $180
64 Available Tour Excursions in Caen
This tour is intended for a maximum of 3 passengers. This vintage car ride is available in French or English. Immerse yourself in the vintage world of the 70s. Discover the secrets of the Côte de Nacre from your local host during this guided tour in a 1976 Citroën Dyane convertible. The circuit runs from Ouistreham to Saint-Aubin-sur-mer and includes stops to discover the architectural splendors, monuments, places of tourist interest, and D-Day memorial sites on Sword beach. Back to the starting point. You will discover the secret places of the region, the history and its anecdotes, the good addresses, the good restaurants, but also the Medieval, Composite, Art Nouveau, Rococo and Anglo-Norman style architecture. During our tour, you will be able to admire some architectural nuggets and all the appeal of coastal heritage.
Price: $101.77
Duration: 3 hours
Experience the highlight moments and sightseeings of June 6th 1944. During this full day, you will visit the following sites: Coastal battery of Longues-sur-Mer, Arromanches, US War Cemetery. Cultural experience with our certified guides, available in english, german and french, in a 7 seats van with A-C, bottles of water, maps and documentations.
Price: $763.28
Duration: 5-7 hours
This private tour covers the main operations and objectives of the American troops on D-Day. It is the perfect tour for a first visit to the landing beaches. All our tours are conducted with professionalism and we have new and comfortable vehicles. Don't hesitate to inform us if a relative of yours was involved in the Normandy campaign and have special requests.
Price: $1,287.09
Duration: 8-9 hours
Step aboard a Range Rover Classic and set off for a private full day tour to discover Normandy history and terroir. Throughout the day, you'll be guided by local Insider who knows the land, the stories, and the people behind them. You'll discover the most emblematic D-Day sites as well as lesser-known places and favourite local spots — the kind you won’t find in guidebooks. Because Normandy is also a lot about food and terroir, expect several food tasting stops at intimate local producers along the way. For lunch, you choose the vibe: a bistronomic meal, a chic picnic with a view, or a charming local restaurant . As this experience is just for you and your crew, the time is taken to understand your interests and expectations which shapes the day around what matters most to you.
Price: $622.59
Duration: 8 hours
Marked by engraved headstones, battle-scarred landscapes and the memories of the fast-disappearing 'Greatest Generation', we will pay tribute to those young men that gave their lives for our freedom. We need to ensure that their story is passed on from present to future generations !!! We will cover different topics : the preparation of Overlord operation, the assault of the first Allied waves, the construction of the artificial ports, the set up of the decoy plan called Fortitude under the control of General Patton, the daily life under the German occupation and the relationships between the liberators and the French civilians, the involvement of the French resistance, the construction of the Atlantic wall, the German positions, the war effort, the role of the women, the war correspondants, minorities like code talkers, postal and balloon barage battalions … All historical facts are documented with detailed military maps, archives and pictures from the Allied and German armies.
Price: $909.94
Duration: 8 hours
Your visit is unique because of our wealth of knowledge about the fascinating history of Caen founded by William the Conqueror, and the untold stories we share.
Price: $44.30
Duration: 2 hours
Private tours with audio guide and driver. we adapt to the needs, desires and rhythm of your group. The driver becomes your Norman guest if you stay at the hotel La Fontaine Caen Center. Departure 9h from Caen. Minimum 2 people
Price: $413.07
Duration: 9 hours
Thanks to the bike, we will combine two cities: a modern seaside resort and an authentic Augeron village. The visit will cover many themes to appropriate the atmospheres of the different districts. We will see the essentials while strolling away from the usual neighborhoods in order to discover places that you would certainly not have thought of!
Price: $95.78
Duration: 3 hours
Explore the D-Day British and Canadian beaches with an expert guide on this immersive historical tour of Normandy. Delve into the pivotal events of World War II as you visit key sites where Allied forces made their courageous landings and pushed inland to liberate France. Embark on a poignant journey through history, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Allied soldiers who fought for freedom during the D-Day landings and the subsequent Normandy campaign. This tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to immerse yourself in the stories and landscapes of one of the most pivotal moments of World War II.
Price: $808.17
Duration: 4-7 hours
Come to visit Normandy D-Day battle sites and U.S landing beaches from Caen Travel in a small group (4/8 participants) aboard a comfortable and air conditioning Minivan Step back in time on a history tour, and learn about the events of June 6, 1944 See the impressive 100 feet hight cliffs and german bunkers overlooking the British channel at Point du Hoc Walk along the Bloody Beach (Omaha) Visit the Normandy American War Cemetery Discover the impressive collection of fighting armoured vehicles at Overlord Museum, Omaha beach
Price: $239.46
Duration: 6-7 hours
Discover the Normandy landing beaches with our WWII expert. Rodolphe Rutman, who will accompany you, brings to life the events of the battle of Normandy, using his knowledge of the subject acquired over more than 30 years of private research. He has been connected to the events of June 6 1944, since he was involved in the 50th anniversary of D-Day, in 1994. That year, he assisted a group of 41 American veteran paratroopers who came to perform a commemorative jump near Sainte-mère-église. Afterwards, Rodolphe became a filmmaker specialising in history. He has directed 4 TV documentary films about D-Day which were broadcast internationally. This enabled him to interview more than 200 people who witnessed the events of summer 1944, including 13 American veterans who landed on Omaha Beach. Today, he lives in Normandy and likes to share his passion for this subject by leading visits to memorial sites. So be ready for an immersive and unforgettable exploration of the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Price: $1,005.73
Duration: 12 hours
Go on a discovery tour with our E-scavenger hunt in Caen. You go on a search for the city's treasures with your family or friends. Use GPS to get to the right locations. At those location you'll play fun assignments and get interesting facts about the location or the city. Will you set the top score in Caen? This E-scavenger hunt is a unique way to discover a city. It will give you a fantastic day in Caen. Decide for yourself when you start, pause and end. The E-scavenger hunt is fun to do and also teaches you about the city. No time limits or age limits! Instructions for starting the tour will be given after booking. You can do this tour whenever you choose.
Price: $37.12
Duration: 3-4 hours
Discover the secrets of Omaha Beach with our WWII expert. Rodolphe Rutman, who will accompany you, brings to life personal stories from Omaha Beach, using his knowledge of the subject acquired over more than 30 years of private research. He has been connected to the events of June 6 1944, since he was involved in the 50th anniversary of D-Day, in 1994. That year, he assisted a group of 41 American veteran paratroopers who came to perform a commemorative jump near Sainte-mère-église. Afterwards, Rodolphe became a filmmaker specialising in history. He has directed 4 TV documentary films about D-Day, which were broadcast internationally. This enabled him to interview more than 200 people who witnessed the events of summer 1944, including 13 American veterans who landed on Omaha Beach. Today, he lives in Normandy and likes to share his passion for this subject by leading visits to memorial sites. So be ready for an immersive and unforgettable exploration of the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Price: $597.45
Duration: 6 hours
Explore the island of Mont-St-Michel, one of the most popular attractions in France with its medieval village and its stunning views on the largest bay in Europe. This historical site was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The place is surrounded by vast sandbanks and becomes an island only when the tides are very high. Originally called Mont-Tombe, the island became known as Mont-Saint-Michel in the 8th century due to a vision of a bishop that built the first sanctuary in 708. After that, the site turned into a pilgrimage site and in 966 a Benedictine abbey was built. Later, the island had been fortified and resisted the wars in 14th and 15th centuries. Then the site became a state prison under the French revolution until Napoleon III decided to close it in 1863. You will learn about the architecture but also the legends of the site with an opportunity to eat one the three local dishes : soufflé omelet, lamb or mussles.
Price: $921.92
Duration: 8 hours
Immerse yourself in Normandy's typical landscapes, superb historical and culinary heritage in a district called Pays d'Auge. You will enjoy the colourful lanscapes of green and humid meadows where cows graze to produce the best Norman cream, butter and cheeses. In spring, the vast apple orchards must be seen when their flowers bloom and the countryside is dotted with half-timbered and thatched-roof houses and farms, and secret stud farms, often hidden by a curtain of trees raise their yearlings for horse-racings. The Pays d'Auge also has long sandy beaches and seaside resorts such as Deauville and Trouville, both founded in the 19th century, which developed as a result of the fashion for sea bathing under Napoleon III. It is also the place of worship dedicated to Saint Theresa of Lisieux which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
Price: $957.84
Duration: 9 hours
Relax while your driver-guide takes you from Bayeux or Caen in Normandy to its neighboring region Brittany, and learn fun and historical facts about the two regions on the way. Saint-Malo and Cancale may be done in the best suitable order depending on the day for the greatest experience. Our tour includes oyster tasting and a short description of oyster types in general and how they are farmed while you enjoy the view of their beds and the fabulous view of Cancale and the Bay of Mont St Michel. A personable guide and a perfect pace are your guarantees for the best experience.
Price: $1,233.21
Duration: 9 hours
Discover the history, culture and food of Normandy on this private tour from Caen to Bayeux, Honfleur and Pays d’Auge. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting the invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066; admire the colorful harbor in Honfleur that inspired Impressionist painters; and taste the region’s renowned gourmet treats of Camembert, Calvados and cider. VISITORS INFORMATION: The Bayeux Tapestry Museum will close its doors to the public, for renovation work, from September 1st 2025. Reopening planned for October 2027. Thank you for your understanding.
Price: $540.33
Duration: 8 hours
Visit Normandy's highlights in two days with a Normandy born tour guide. You will be picked up at the location of your choice in Normandy (Bayeux or Caen Area). Treat yourself to the full overview of the 5 landing beaches that the Allies stormed on DDay and comprehend the scale of the largest amphibious operation in history. This 2-day tour includes transport and guided visits but excludes meals and hotel nights.
Price: $2,179.08
Duration: 48 hours
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Caen’s cuisine is deeply influenced by Normandy’s rich agricultural and maritime heritage. Signature dishes include Camembert cheese, apple-based products like cider and Calvados brandy, and seafood such as mussels and oysters. Traditional dishes like "Tripes à la mode de Caen" (a slow-cooked tripe stew) are local specialties. Dining customs emphasize fresh, seasonal ingredients and hearty flavors. Noteworthy restaurants include La Table de Colette, known for refined Normandy cuisine, and Le Bouchon du Vaugueux, offering traditional French dishes in a cozy setting.
Getting Around
Caen is accessible by train from Paris and other major French cities, with the Caen railway station serving as a key hub. The city is also reachable by car via the A13 motorway. Local transportation includes buses and a network of bike paths, making it easy to get around without a car. Walking is convenient in the city center. Taxi services and car-sharing options are available. Costs for public transport are moderate, with tickets purchasable at stations or via apps.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit Caen is from May to September for pleasant weather. Pack comfortable walking shoes and layers due to variable oceanic climate conditions. Respect local customs such as greeting with a polite "Bonjour" and using formal address in shops and restaurants. Caen is generally safe, but usual precautions for personal belongings apply. Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some euros in cash is advisable for small purchases or markets. Learning a few basic French phrases enhances the experience.
Culture & Customs
Caen’s culture reflects Normandy’s historical depth and French traditions. Social customs include polite greetings and a relaxed pace of life. The city celebrates several festivals, such as the Festival of Normandy and the Caen International Short Film Festival. Important etiquette includes punctuality for appointments and respectful behavior in religious sites. Sharing meals and local products is a valued tradition. Visitors should be mindful of quiet hours in residential areas and show appreciation for local heritage.
