Caen
Caen ("kehn") is a city of about 117,000 people in the Lower Normandy region of France. It is located 238km (148 miles) northwest of Paris and 119km (74 miles) southeast of Cherbourg.
In the mid-11th century, Caen became the favorite residence of William the Conquerer and Queen Matilda, and the beautiful twin abbeys founded by them still remain.
The survival of the abbeys is remarkable, given that three-quarters of the city - totalling 10,000 buildings - was destroyed during the 1944 invasion of Normandy. Caen today is thus essentially modern, with many broad avenues and new apartment buildings. Entirely different from the nearby cities of Deauville and Trouville, Caen is bustling, congested, and commercial. It's also major rail and ferry junction. The student population of 30,000 and the many tourists have made Caen more cosmopolitan than ever.
Caen Map
Our own detailed, interactive satellite map of Caen, plus links to more Caen maps. |
Caen Hotel Reviews
Unbiased reviews, ratings and price comparisons on hotels in Caen from fellow travelers. |
Caen Travel Forum
Travel advice and insider tips on Caen from those in the know. |
Caen Car Rentals
Explore Normandy on your own schedule with a rental car picked up in Caen. |
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Abbaye-aux-Dames and La Trinité
The Ladies' Abbey was founded by Queen Mathilda, the wife of William the Conqueror, in 1063. Its church, La Trinité, is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. |
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Abbaye-aux-Hommes and St-Etienne
The Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Men's Abbey) was founded by William the Conquerer in the 11th century. Its church, the Romanesque Église St-Etienne, is the largest and most impressive church in Caen. |
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Église St-Pierre
Much loved by the citizens of Caen, St. Peter's Church is a splendid example of the transition between Gothic and Renaissance forms. It was first built in the 13th and 14th centuries and expanded in the early 16th century. |
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Mémorial de Caen (Peace Museum)
Established in 1988, the Caen Memorial is regarded as the best World War II museum in France.
It focuses on events leading up to and after D-Day (Jour J) but also includes exhibits on other failures and triumphs of peace, such as September 11th and the fall of the Berlin Wall. |
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