Free walking tours in Caen and what to see

Must-sees

Caen is the capital of Calvados, in Normandy, and its history is tied to William the Conqueror. Around 1060 he had the château built, a great fortress at the top of the town whose ramparts you can walk. Inside are the Museum of Normandy and the Museum of Fine Arts. William and his wife Matilda also founded two abbeys: the Abbaye aux Hommes, with the church of Saint-Étienne, where William’s tomb lies and whose monastic buildings now house the town hall, and the Abbaye aux Dames, with the church of La Trinité and Matilda’s tomb.

The city was heavily bombed in the summer of 1944, and the Caen Memorial, a museum devoted to 20th-century history, the Second World War and peace, is a must. Among the monuments, stroll through the Vaugueux quarter, with old houses and restaurants, and go into the church of Saint-Pierre, with its Renaissance apse. The D-Day beaches begin about 15 kilometres away on the coast, at Ouistreham.

Free tours and guided visits

On Civitatis you will find a guided tour of Caen covering the château, the abbeys and the city’s history, plus tickets for the Memorial and a pass combining the museum with a tour of the D-Day beaches. There is also a Caen la mer City Pass bundling entry to several museums. There is no regular free walking tour, so the closest option is that guided tour or exploring the centre on your own.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the château, the two abbeys and the centre. The Memorial needs half a day on its own, so set aside a morning or an afternoon for it. If you want to see the D-Day beaches, add a full day, and if you have time, the Côte de Nacre and Bayeux, with its famous tapestry, are very close.

Where to stay

The centre, between the château and the Abbaye aux Hommes, is the most convenient area: hotels, apartments and restaurants with the monuments within walking distance. Near the station and the port there are practical, well-connected hotels. If you prefer the sea, Ouistreham and the villages of the Côte de Nacre have hotels and apartments by the beach, about twenty minutes away.