Discovery break in and around Caen

Although shopping areas are springing up all around the city, the centre of Caen remains very popular. Its castle, harbour, half-timbered houses, lively squares and long avenues give the town its unrivalled charm. The cobbled streets of the centre are littered with shops selling clothes, decorations and cosmetics.

From the historic alleyways to the legendary squares, the restaurants, cafés and bars invite you to take a well-deserved break. The city centre is also home to the largest concentration of cultural establishments, with the Cargö hosting numerous concerts and the Zenith hosting a wide range of shows and events, most recently the Miss France 2022 show.

If you're looking for a restaurant in Caen, you'll find most of them in the historic centre. At weekends, the Vaugueux district is very popular. Its cobbled streets, tree-lined square and view of the castle give it an undeniable charm.

A little further down the road, you'll find the port, where numerous restaurants and bars have taken refuge. On Sunday, market day, this is the place to be. The area is also popular with party-goers, who can find fast-food restaurants open all night long. One of the most popular is undoubtedly the Délices Magic Bogoss kebab shop, a family-run business that has been enjoying national success ever since Orelsan featured it on his latest album.

A publication shared by Andrew King (@andywking)

On 6 June 1944, Allied troops invaded France to liberate it from German occupation, and it was on the beaches of Normandy that the British, Americans and Canadians arrived. In all, five beaches were part of Operation Overlord: Gold Beach at Arromanches-Les-Bains, where you can still see the artificial harbour used to store goods; Omaha Beach, near which is the Colleville American cemetery; and Utah Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach, which still contain relics of the Second World War, such as batteries and museums recalling the period.

A publication shared by 𝕊𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕚𝕖 𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕠𝕟 | 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕝 𝔹𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕘𝕖𝕣🔹 (@un.monde.de.voyages)

Suisse Normande is a natural region that's perfect for outdoor activities: kayaking, paragliding, trail running, climbing or hiking, anything goes. The cliffs and valleys offer breathtaking views. In Clécy, not far from the houses of character and manor houses, you can hire canoes and kayaks and sail on the Orne to Pont d'Ouilly, a village nicknamed "the green resort".

The Viaduc de la Souleuvre is one of the most famous spots in Normandy for the range of thrilling activities on offer, including bungee jumping. Finally, if you want to take in the sights, head for the Thury-Harcourt leisure centre, the starting point for the Hom loop, a 6km walk along the banks of the River Orne to the rocky massif.

A publication shared by Karine Focret Modeste (@rgc_clecy_canoe_kayak)

Caen has no fewer than 15 parks. In the city centre or outside, from small squares to large expanses, vegetation and animals are present to the delight of young and old alike. At the Parc de la Colline aux Oiseaux, 17 hectares of green spaces overlook the Mémorial*de Caen. Fountains, formal gardens, a labyrinth and paddocks with goats, peacocks and pigs make up the soul of this surprising park, which used to be a rubbish dump in the 1950s.

A publication shared by Kronkymo 🎡 (@kromkymo_photographies_)

The cycle routes are very popular with cyclists in Normandy. They link the town to the beaches, but also to the countryside and forests. Starting out from the meadow, for example, you can take the voie verte to the Grimbosq forest, an ideal ride in autumn when the mushrooms are ready to be picked. Caen's residents also cycle to the sea, following the canal to the nearest beach: Ouistreham. From here, you can take the Vélo Francette route through the countryside of Normandy Switzerland. You can also easily reach Deauville or Honfleur on the Côte Fleurie by taking a section of the Vélo Francette, for example. And if you want to sample some of Normandy's famous cheeses, take part of the Vélomaritime, with Pont-l'Evêque, Livarot and Camembert in your sights.

If Victor Hugo used this expression to refer to Rouen, Orelsan has applied it to Caen, his home town. And although he doesn't have an exact count (between 22 and 26, according to the town hall), the city is indeed recognisable by its many bell towers. You only have to look up from the château, for example, to see that Caen is full of churches and abbeys. Among the most spectacular is the recently renovated church of Saint-Pierre, which stands out in the town with its Gothic style.

The church of Saint-Jean, just outside the town centre, is a must-see because of its distinctive leaning design. The Abbaye aux Hommes, near the town hall, is majestic with its formal garden, where William the Conqueroris laid to rest. As for his wife, Mathilde, she rests at the Abbaye aux Dames, a place steeped in history and awe-inspiring beauty.

A publication shared by Roman (@roman.b18)