Caen

Caen is the city where William the Conqueror ruled his Norman lands. It has two medieval abbeys and the Mémorial de Caen, a museum on the Normandy campaign and the history of war.

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Caen is the capital of the Calvados department in Normandy, in northwestern France, on the Orne river a short drive inland from the English Channel. William the Conqueror, who became King of England in 1066, ruled his Norman lands from here. He founded the Abbaye aux Hommes, where he is buried, and his wife Matilda founded the Abbaye aux Dames. Both abbeys still stand, and the castle William began is still a landmark.

The Battle of Normandy in 1944 damaged much of Caen, and the city was rebuilt after the war. The Mémorial de Caen covers the Normandy campaign and the history of war and peace in the 20th century. Caen is a base for the D-Day beaches and for Bayeux, a short drive west, and it suits travelers who want a city stay alongside the Normandy coast. Allow a full day for the Mémorial.

Caen in five

Pick a guided D-Day tour or a rental carThe landing beaches, cemeteries and gun batteries stretch along the coast. A tour from Caen handles the logistics; a car gives freedom but needs a plan for the day.Brittany & Normandy
Visit the Mémorial earlyThe Mémorial de Caen covers the war and the Cold War. Book tickets online for busy periods and check opening hours on the museum site.
See both abbeys in the centerWilliam the Conqueror and his queen founded two abbeys here, now the town hall and the Abbaye aux Dames. They are an easy walk from each other; check visiting hours before you go.
Check the Bayeux Tapestry statusThe tapestry is on loan in London from September 2026 while the Bayeux museum is rebuilt. Bayeux still works for the cathedral and the town; check the museum site before you plan.

Things to do in Caen

See all attractions in Caen

Museum · CaenMuseum of Fine Arts of Caen

A large building with a clock tower on top of it

Museum · CaenMémorial de CaenPlan at least 3 hours. The museum is large, and a full afternoon or half a day suits a thorough visit.

Church · CaenChurch St. George

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CaenPut the places you like in Caen on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Caen-Carpiquet (CFR) has limited flights; Paris is the main gateway
Getting there: Train from Paris Saint-Lazare about 2 hours; ferry to Ouistreham from Portsmouth
Getting around: Trams, buses and walking in the center; tour or car for the coast
Best base: Center near the château, or by the station
Time needed: 2–3 days with the D-Day coast

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low3°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, quiet
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Windy, quiet
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Spring, open
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, green
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°D-Day anniversary
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Peak, busy
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Autumn, calm
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Rainy, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Rainy, quiet

Average daily high and low in Caen, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Caen

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 95%

Caen

09:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today13°8°95%Monday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 95%.
Tue12°6°8%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
Wed8°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu8°3°13%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 13%.
Fri11°1°20%Friday: Fog. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sat10°2°10%Saturday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun10°3°24%Sunday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 24%.

Updated 07:14 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

D-Day beachesabout 30–60 min by road or tourMemorials, bunkers and beaches along the coast.
Honfleurabout 1 hour by roadA harbor town with slate-roofed houses and galleries.Read the guide
Rouenabout 1.5 hours by train via Paris or by roadGothic cathedral and half-timbered streets.Read the guide

Before you go to Caen

D-Day tours from CaenBeaches, cemeteries and museumsCompare tours

Trains Paris to CaenDirect service from Saint-LazareRead the guide

eSIM for NormandyData for maps along the coastRead the guide

Insurance for a ferry routeDelays on cross-Channel tripsRead the guide

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Rules for Caen, checked

The Bayeux Tapestry is on loan to the British Museum from September 2026, and the Bayeux museum is closed for renovation.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

Plan around Caen

Brittany & Normandy

The coast, cliffs and Mont-Saint-Michel

Read the guide Rouen

Cathedral city on the Seine, 1.5 hours away

Read the guide Honfleur

Harbor town with painters' light

Read the guide Mont-Saint-Michel

Tidal abbey on the Normandy border

Read the guide Getting around France

TGV, TER and rental car tips

Read the guide All of France

Regions, cities and train routes

Read the guide

Caen FAQ

How many days do you need in Caen?

One day covers the Mémorial, the abbeys and the center. Two or three let you add D-Day beaches, Bayeux and a coastal drive.

Is Caen a good base for D-Day?

Yes: it is a city with trains and hotels, and the main beaches and sites are 30–60 minutes away by road. A guided tour is the easiest way if you do not drive.

How do you get from Paris to Caen?

By direct train from Paris Saint-Lazare in about 2 hours. Book ahead only for a specific time; regional fares are fixed.

Can you take the ferry to Caen from England?

Yes: ferries run from Portsmouth to Ouistreham, the port for Caen. Check the current schedule and booking terms with the operator.

Is the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux now?

No: it is on loan in London from September 2026 while the Bayeux museum is rebuilt. Bayeux still has a cathedral and an old center, but check before planning a trip for the tapestry.