Driving to Caen

Caen is steeped in history, from its links with William the Conqueror to the role it played in the medieval Hundred Years War, to its devastation in the Battle of Normandy in 1944. It’s the kind of history that leaves deep marks on a place. Rebuilt and restored to its former glory, Caen boasts a breathtaking Norman castle (William’s home before the Conquest) and an incredible World War II memorial, as well as several ancient abbeys and museums. 

So a road trip to Caen is highly recommended, not just because it is so easy to get to from Calais! 

How long is the drive from Calais to Caen?

It takes around 3 hours 40 minutes to drive to Caen from the LeShuttle terminal at Calais. 

The city hall and Abbaye aux Hommes

What is the best route to drive from Calais to Caen by car?

The quick route via the A16 and A28

The fastest, most direct route to Caen from Calais is by taking the A16 autoroute, via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Abbeville and Rouen. You then pick up the A13 route to Caen. You’ll pay tolls on this route.   

The scenic coastal route

If you really want to take your time and save a few Euros on tolls, you could take the D940 coast road from Calais. You’ll see some lovely unspoilt fishing villages and seaside resorts like Le Touquet and Hardelot-Plage, before passing into Normandy and crossing the Seine estuary at Honfleur. 

Day trips from Caen by car

The delightful village of Beuvron-en-Auge

Beuvron-en-Auge – a charming Normandy village

If you are looking for a typical Normandy village to visit from Caen, then Beuvron-en-Auge is a wonderful example. Just 30 miles drive away, you’re immediately transported back in time, as you stroll past pastel shaded half-timbered houses and quaint independent shops, with their floral displays, flags and vintage signs. In the heart of Calvados, Beuvron en Auge also marks the start of the Cider Route, a 25 mile exploration of the cider making tradition of the area. 

Deauville – a coastal town with boardwalk and boutiques

There’s no getting away from it, Deauville is swanky. It’s called the ‘Parisian Riviera’, and as the closest seaside resort to the capital, the rich and famous have graced its sands since the 19th century. Something of a mini Cannes, with its own racecourse, casino and film festival. Rent one of their famous beach umbrellas, only made in Deauville, and parade down the boardwalk past the beach huts named after movie stars. 

Honfleur – A picturesque harbour town

Honfleur is a beautiful harbour town overlooking the Seine estuary. Colourful harbourside houses and reflective waters have made Honfleur a magnet for artists and tourists alike, especially during the summer. Honfleur is less than an hour’s drive from Caen. Meander your way through the bustling streets of the Vieux-Bassin, watch the boats bobbing in the harbour, and buy the freshest seafood imaginable at Marché au Poisson.

Plan your trip to Caen

The best things to see and do in Caen

Château de Caen is an imposing presence in the city centre

Abbaye aux Hommes

Founded by William the Conqueror in 1063, the ‘Abbey of Men’ is also his final resting place – although after being disturbed several times down the centuries, all that is left now of the Conqueror is one thigh bone. A marble plaque before the high altar marks the tomb. The Abbey is a significant example of Romanesque architecture which inspired English medieval church design. It survived the carnage of 1944 because it was a refuge for the town’s citizens. Entry costs around €5. 

Château de Caen

Just over a ten-minute walk away is the castle William built in 1060, Chateau de Caen. It was one of the most important castles during Norman times, where much of the strategy and policy that defined the era took place. It was ruined during the French Revolution and severely bombed during World War II. The castle has been extensively restored and dominates the town centre. Entry to the grounds is free, and you can walk around the extensive ramparts. 

Caen Memorial Museum

As an immersive chronicle of World War II, the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy, the Caen Memorial Museum is one of the most profoundly moving exhibitions in Europe. The museum contains many original artefacts, including vehicles, radios and uniforms, so you can accurately see what life was like during those years for soldiers and civilians. The exhibition takes you deep into the devastation of Caen in 1944 and the suffering of its people. After visiting the museum, take a walk through the Souvenir Gardens, where you can see a range of commemorative gardens created to honour the fallen.

The entrance to the Caen Memorial Museum. François Monier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Drive to Caen with LeShuttle

With such a unique history, Caen is one of those places you really should visit in Northern France. It’s also a great base to explore the rest of Normandy, from its D-Day beaches to the home of the Bayeux Tapestry.