Tourist attractions Caen

This fine art museum offers a chronological, thematic and geographical journey through painting from the 15 to 20C. It boasts noteworthy pieces from 17C Europe and a gallery dedicate to 18C portrait and landscape artists. Romantic masters (Delacroix)..

The vast nave with nine bays of this old abbey church, which dates from the 11C, was inspired by the Benedictine abbeys. It leads to the tomb of Queen Matilda, founder of the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Abbey for Women). Adjoining the south transept is an attr..

This 11C architectural masterpiece boasts elegant lines which combine Romanesque aesthetics, Gothic exuberance, and the Classicism of 18C monastic buildings. The church of Saint-Étienne was founded by William the Conqueror. The facade is striking f..

This is the abbey church of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Abbey for Men) founded by William the Conqueror. Begun in 1066 in the Romanesque style, it was completed in the 13C in the Gothic style. Its plain west front remains a remarkable example of Romanesqu..

The Memorial’s building occupies the site of the command bunker of the German General W. Richter, who fought against British and Canadian troops on 6 June 1944. This “museum for peace” is a place of history and reflection on the close links between t..

The Château de Fontaine-Henry offers a valuable account of civil architecture of the Renaissance period. Note in particular the 16C Grand Pavilion with its vast slate roof and pepper-pot turret. The living quarters, built on the site of a medieval ed..

This Church built in the 13 C to the 16 C is striking for its luxurious ornamentation. Its «King of Norman clock tower» was rebuilt after 1944. Finished in 1545 the chevet is most remarkable for the richness of its decor. Inside note the details on t..

This dwelling bears the name of Nicolas Le Valos d'Escoville, a rich businessman who had it built (1538). Restored after the bombardments of 1944, this building, which is typical of the first Renaissance, today houses the Tourism Office and the ARTOT..

Housed in the former governors’ residence, this museum boasts archaeological and ethnographic collections dedicated to Normandy’s history and popular traditions. The section dedicated to the Gallo-Roman period, which includes a late-1C mother goddess..

This vast Citadel, built in 11C by William the Conqueror, is set out today as a public garden and has recovered, across the centuries, the attraction that it had at the time of the Conqueror. From its terrace, It offers some attractive views over the..

The convent buildings of this abbey founded by Queen Matilda, and the sister abbey of the Abbaye aux Hommes, were rebuilt in the 18C. Today, they are embellished with a French-style garden. The cloisters and wide double-flighted staircase are particu..

The church was built at the end of the 11C by the monks of the Abbaye aux Hommes. Although it is deconsecrated, it has never been renovated nor used for any other purpose. Its Romanesque vestibule with three arches is quite exceptional in Normandy. T..

The grounds of the Château de Brécy are highly ornamental. Cross the château to access the terraced gardens, which stand on the hill (and admire on the way the sumptuous 17C portal). Box trees forming intricate patterns and sculptural flowers, two-he..

Five beaches were taken during the Allied invasion of June 1944, and Juno Beach was the Canadians' domain. The Juno Beach Centre shows visitors the importance of Canadian involvement in the Second World War: its troops, navy and industrial effort, wh..

Documents and old objects bring the history of the postal service, of the Telegraph and the telephone to life here. The more recent past is not forgotten with the MINITELS and demonstration of telecommunication services.

Busy and lively thoroughfare. It has two of the rare half-timbered houses which remain in Caen (nos. 52 and 54): they date from the start of the 16 C. Their decoration which is still in the Gothic style (sculptures, statues of the Saints) integrate..

This street only used by pedestrians has recovered its cachet of yesteryear. Its old pavement, its stone or half-timbered houses, its echoes, all make it a place for a pleasant walk.