Best Tours and Day Trips from Caen

In addition to all the historical, architectural and cultural attractions that the French city of Caen has to offer, there is also an interesting offer of tours and excursions to some nearby places that are definitely worth a visit, such as Normandy, with the famous landing beaches, the French commune of Giverny and Balleroy or the abbey of Mont Saint Michel, among other destinations.

If you are enthusiastic about the theme of the Second World War, then you cannot miss the opportunity to book a private excursion to the Normandy Landing Beaches where you can walk around the different battlefields, honour the war dead in the cemeteries and visit some museums.

You will depart from the city centre of Caen and together with a driver-guide, you will tour the so-called D-Day Beaches, starting with:

• Sword Beach, located 30 minutes drive from Caen. You will stroll through the Commonwealth Cemetery, the Hillman Bunker Complex and the Merville Battery Museum.
• Juno Beach, just 20 minutes from the beach above. Here you can see the 12th century Ardenne Abbey, the Canadian Cemetery and more.
• Gold Beach, a 12 minute drive from Juno Beach is the British sector. You will see the circular Arromanches Cinéma, the Musée du Débarquement, etc.

Afterwards, you will continue your route by road to Omaha Beach, where some of the deadliest attacks of the Second World War took place. You will see the American Cemetery, the D-Day Museum and the Overlord Museum, as well as Utah Beach.

Details of interest

• Price: 437 per person.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minivan.

From Caen, you can take a private tour of Mont Saint-Michel and discover its historic abbey. You will drive approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes to this French commune, accompanied by a driver-guide, who will pick you up outside your hotel in the centre of Caen.

The Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

On arrival in the village, you will visit the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a religious monument, whose history dates back to the 8th century.

During the visit, you will visit more than 20 rooms where you will be able to admire the architectural beauty of the abbey, which evokes the medieval period. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy different panoramic views of the bay from the terraces, thanks to their privileged position at an altitude of 80 metres.

Free time in the village of Mont-Michel

During the experience you will have free time to stroll through the cobbled streets of Mont-Michel. You can take pictures, buy some souvenirs in the local shops and even have lunch or dinner, as appropriate.

Afterwards, you will return to Caen and, if time still permits, you could make an optional quick stop for an hour in one of the villages along the way.

These include Avranches; Balleroy, St-Lô, capital of the ruins; Villedieu-les-Poeles, interesting works of copper craftsmen; or the Abbey of Cerisy, representative of Norman architecture.

Interesting details

• Price: 452 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minivan.

You can take a free tour of Balleroy Castle from Caen. To do so, drive at least 45 minutes to the town of Balleroy. There, you will find this imposing historical monument, built in 1631 and consisting of a museum, green areas and a tea room.

Balleroy Castle

When you arrive at the castle you will have the opportunity to visit more than 12 rooms fully furnished and decorated in the style of the 19th century, a suspended staircase and a carved oak ceiling.

In addition, throughout the visit you will discover different pictorial works belonging to Albert de Balleroy, fine arts artist; Juste d'Egmont, Flemish painter; Claude Vignon, French baroque engraver and illustrator; among other prodigies of the time.

The International Balloon Museum

In one of the castle's outbuildings you will find the International Hot Air and Gas Balloon Museum. You will find impressive exhibits with a series of artefacts and documents through which you will discover the history of the air station and the first flights, made in 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers.

Green areas and the Tea Room

At Balleroy Castle you can enjoy other spaces that will enhance your experience. For example, the romantic-style English Park and the French Gardens, created in the 20th century by the landscape architect Henri Duchêne.

You will also find the Tea Room, where you will taste some cakes accompanied by tea, coffee, chocolate or any other beverage. Afterwards, you will return to Caen to continue your itinerary, whether you have purchased tickets for the Caen Memorial Museum or plan to connect with a walking tour of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: the guided tour of the castle and park can be found from €5.50 per person. The guided tour of the castle, free walk to the museum and park starts at €6.50 per person. Free visit to the castle and park from € 3,50 per person and free walk in the park from € 3,50 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: private car.

A trip to Rouen and Giverny from Caen is another activity not to be missed. You'll travel to these towns and see the beautiful Normandy countryside along the way. Plus, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you the history of each place and take you to the most interesting sites at each destination.

Rouen

You will travel a route of about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Caen to Rouen. This is the capital of Haute-Normandie and a city with a wealth of history. You will be amazed by its monuments, streets lined with houses that still preserve the style of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Some of the places you will discover during your stay in Rouen include the following:

• Rouen Cathedral, with its tall, narrow nave, 13th century stained glass windows and exceptional architecture.
• Rouen's market square, where the French heroine Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake during the Inquisition in 1431.
• The Church of Saint Maclou, erected in honour of Saint Maclou, who was one of the founding saints of Brittany.

Giverny

The adventure continues in Giverny. This village is an hour's drive from Rouen. It is the place where the impressionist painter Claude Monet lived from the 19th century until the 5th December 1926, the day of his death.

You can visit the most emblematic places of Giverny. For example:

• Monet's former house with an important collection of Japanese prints and the artist's studio.
• Monet's gardens, which are opposite, but definitely complement each other.
• The cemetery of the church of Giverny, where Monet's tomb is located.

Details of interest

• Price: 425€ per person.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minivan.

If you're a foodie, then Camembert is a Normandy village you should visit from Caen. There, you can learn about cheese and cider production on local farms.

Upon arrival in the village of Camembert, your guide will take you to the Maison du Camembert, where you can discover the history of this famous French cheese in its museum, factory and souvenir shop. You will do several tastings to learn how to distinguish between the different types of Camembert and accompany them with a cider made from pears, calvados, apples, etc.

You will also find several traditional farms, surrounded by orchards and pastures with cows. You can stop for a few minutes to take photos and breathe in the fresh air. On your way back to Caen, you could also incorporate a cider tasting in wineries such as Calvados Pierre Huet or Roger Groult.

Details of interest

• Price: 785 per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minivan.

Tours and excursions from Caen are a good opportunity to explore some of the nearby French communes belonging to Normandy. You will see beautiful natural landscapes, architectural monuments of great historical, religious and military value.

Among the most popular destinations incorporated in this type of activities from Caen are the visit to the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and the tour of the landing day beaches. You can also visit Balleroy Castle, travel to the town of Rouen and walk around the square where Joan of Arc died, or stroll through Giverny to learn about the life and history of the Impressionist painter Monet.

Setting off on a tour or excursion from Caen doesn't have to be a hassle. Just be aware of the time of year when you're doing the activity and take everything you need to make the experience a success.

For example, in the warmer months of the year you'll want to have a bottle of water to keep you hydrated, sunglasses and UV protection. Also, your clothes can be made of light fabrics and even short. Meanwhile, in winter you should keep warm and wear boots with better traction to avoid slipping when walking.

You'll also need to bring your ID cards, as you may need them to access some attractions. Also, don't forget your wallet with cash in case you need to tip.

Taking a guided tour or excursion from Caen to see the nearby destinations is a little more advantageous than visiting on your own. Guided tours and excursions save you time and money, especially when it comes to transport.

Moreover, with guided tours and excursions you will go straight to the attraction without any interruptions or getting lost because you took the wrong route. In addition, you will be accompanied by an expert who will tell you the history of each destination, give you tips, anecdotes and recommendations for your itinerary.

Meanwhile, self-guided tours are much more flexible. You can stop as many times as you like along the way to take in the sights. Basically, with this option you don't have a set time range when enjoying each location or attraction.