The Core of Calvados, Caen, France
Here lies William the Conqueror
The Normandy road trip continues, and we are off to Caen in the heart of the Calvados region.
The Church of Saint-Pierre
This was the second base for our trip, from here Gary and I will discover more about the historical events of WWII and the landing beaches, explore the city of Caen and embark on a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel.
Quick Links
A useful guide
We love visiting France and each region so different from one another. I find the DK Eyewitness Guides really helpful in planning a trip and so often find interesting little snippets of info.
Take a peek at this revised Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide and see what you can discover.
Day of discovery
Although we used Caen as a springboard to other places in Normandy, we wanted to explore the city itself.
If it’s good enough for William the Conqueror, it’s good enough for us.
The imposing Abbaye aux Hommes, Caen
Ramparts
Château de Caen is an ideal place to start your Journey.
Stroll across the bridge that straddles the original moat, and you are free to wander around the grounds of the castle and along the ramparts.
The fortifications of the Château de Caen, Caen
Originally built around 1060 by the Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror), walk around the edge of the fortification and you’ll have far stretching views across the city.
Château de Caen
Heading down through the gatehouse you can start to explore the city below.
The Gatehouse of the Château de Caen
His & Hers
One of the unique things about Caen is that it has two abbeys within the city, Abbaye aux Hommes (the Men’s Abbey) & Abbaye aux Dames (the Women’s Abbey). William the Conqueror had both of the abbeys built to appease the pope, as William had married his own cousin Mathilda of Flanders.
Abbaye aux Hommes from the town hall
Abbaye aux Hommes was originally home to Benedictine monks, and now the convent buildings houses Caen’s, City Hall. The Abbey truly is a prominent part of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture and looks wonderful day & night.
Caen Town Hall
Although William the Conqueror died in Rouen his tomb is in the Abbaye aux Hommes.
The tomb of William the Conqueor
Tempted to?
Discover more of Normandy on a road trip, you'll be amazed how easy it is to tour around by car with. Like us you can create your own adventure and visit Rouen, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Alençon, Honfleur, Giverny, the ruins of Jumièges Abbey, Beuvron-en-Auge and Mont Saint-Michel.
Take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars, they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
It's all about the ladies
Abbaye aux Dames on the other side of the city is another piece of fantastic Norman architecture, it was founded around the end of the 11th century and became the home to a Benedictine monastery of nuns. Mathilda of Flanders is buried here.
Abbaye aux Dames
Marina
Due to Caen’s proximity to the sea, it has a lovely marina & quay and makes quite a focal point for the town.
Strolling along the marina on a Sunday (market day) it was bustling with locals perusing the 400 stalls.
Fresh bread on the market
We wandered back later in the evening, and it was like a different place, all the crowds had gone, and you could hear the yachts masts jangling in the evening breeze.
The Marina at dusk
Why not?
Start creating your own French adventure and discover the enchanting and historic region of Normandy for yourself. Search through ebookers.com for your favourable routes to Paris, which is a short hop from Normandy.
One of favourites ways to kick off our trips is to let Brittany Ferries take the strain, sit back, relax and go with the flow. Enjoy a little bit of France as you sail directly into Caen in the heart of Normandy.
Or alternatively jump on Le Shuttle and tour through France under your own steam.
Walking the streets
As we continue to discover the town, the history through time and the amazing architecture surrounds you.
A statue of Joan of Arc
Ruins of Eglise Saint-Gilles
The Prefecture Services Administration building
What a book shop!
Église Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux
Saint-Sauveur
The area around Saint-Sauveur added another element to Caen, with its impressive elegant 18th-century square.
Statue of Louis XIV in Place Saint-Sauveur
The area around Saint-Sauveur added another element to Caen, with its impressive elegant 18th-century square.
Palais de Justice
Have You?
Stayed in Caen? How was you experience? It is a city that has risen from near total destruction at the end of the Second World War, and is proud of that fight.
Evening entertainment
You certainly won’t be short of restaurants in Caen, and there were a couple of standout memories for me. I tried my first ever oeuf cocotte at a little bistro La Casiniere, Gary has been enjoying this dish for years, now I know why.
And I had my best ever profiterole experience at Casserole et Bouchons, and believe me I have had my fair share of profiteroles over the years.
Possibly the best profiteroles - ever!
They may not look that impressive, but they tasted delicious!!!
We also ate in Café Mango in Saint-Sauveur Square, the quality of the food was very impressive, I went for a little entree of prawns (this was a starter!!!)...
Prawns to start at Café Mango
... and Gary indulged in steak tartare (you can probably tell, he's not a vegetarian).
Steak Tartare at Café Mango
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Inspired to visit Caen?
A city with so much history, explore by day, and enjoy great food at night. Like us you can use it to explore the Normandy beaches.
Why not check out the latest deals on Booking.Com?
Have a peek at the latest offers from Booking.com, our preferred hotel booking website.
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