Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Courseulles-sur-Mer, follow signs to
Caen
on D-79. After about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers),
take the Reviers turnoff at the roundabout.
ThoughitwasmostlydestroyedbyWWIIbombs,today'sCaen(pronounced“kahn,”pop-
ulation 115,000) is a thriving, workaday city packed with students and a few tourists.
The WWII museum and the vibrant old city are the targets for travelers, though these
sights come wrapped in a big city with rough edges. And though Bayeux or Arro-
manches—which are smaller—make the best base for most D-Day sites, train travelers
with limited time might find urban Caen more practical because of its buses to Honfleur,
convenient car-rental offices near the train station, and easy access to the Caen Memorial
Museum.
The looming château, built by William the Conqueror in 1060, marks the city's center.
Westofhere,modernRueSt.Pierreisapopularshoppingareaandpedestrianzone.Tothe
east, the more historic Vagueux quarter has many restaurants and cafés in half-timbered
buildings. A marathon race in honor of the Normandy invasion is held every June 8 and
ends at the Memorial Museum.
Tourist Information
The TI is opposite the château on Place St. Pierre, 10 long blocks from the train station
(take the tram to the St. Pierre stop). Pick up a map and free visitor's guide filled with
practical information (Mon-Sat 9:30-18:30, until 19:00 July-Aug, Sun 10:00-13:00 &
14:00-17:00 except closed Sun Oct-March, drivers follow
Parking Château
signs, tel. 02
31 27 14 14,
www.tourisme.caen.fr
).
Arrival in Caen
These directions assume you're headed for the town's main attraction, the Caen Memorial
Museum.
By Car:
Finding the memorial is quick and easy. It's a half-mile off the ring-road
expressway (
périphérique nord,
take
sortie
#7, look for white
Le Mémorial
signs). When
leaving the museum, follow
Toutes Directions
signs back to the ring road.
