Caen attractions

Merville Battery (Batterie de Merville) was a coastal fortification built by the Nazis in Merville-Franceville as part of the Atlantic Wall during World War II. Because this particular battery was better fortified than similar installations, it was one of the first to be attacked by Allied forces on D-Day. The on-site museum contains a reconstituted gun chamber and an educational trail explaining the battery's operation.

With its half-timbered houses and slate roofs, Beuvron-en-Auge exudes old-fashioned Norman charm—it’s even been officially designated one of the most beautiful villages in France. Antique shops, craft studios, and cafés dot the picturesque downtown, while the surrounding countryside is striped with lines of apple trees.

Normandy Museum is an memorable family-friendly museum that puts this popular region into perspective without getting into the events of World War II. Exhibits trace the the formation of history, the culture of the people back to the prehistoric ages,xa0 and following through to various eras of migration.

Famed for its sandy beach and art deco-style boardwalk, Deauville, France, is one of Normandy’s seaside gems. Facing the resort town of Trouville, located just across the River Touques, this elegant destination is favored by big spenders here to shop and hit up the casino. A prestigious events calendar, which features an annual American Film Festival, also draws in the elite.

Picturesque apple orchards meet historic towns, half-timbered manor houses, and farm-fresh products in the Pays d’Auge, an area of Normandy that exudes rural charm. Located between the cities of Caen and Rouen, the hilly region is a hub for tasting cider, calvados brandy, and cheeses including Camembert, Livarot, and Pont-l’Évêque.

Housed in the medieval castle of William the Conquerer, the contemporary Musée des Beaux-Arts is home to one of the finest art collections in France covering five centuries. Spanning four centuries, the artworks show a remarkable range including an array of European painters starting in the 16th century, a cabinet of prints and an impressive sculpture park.

Built to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day landings, this 42-acre (17-hectare park is an inviting place to explore close to downtown Caen. The free-to-access park has spots for all ages, including a rose garden, small petting zoo, labyrinth, garden map of Normandy, mini-golf, and a café.

Spread out over 37 acres (15 hectares), Jurques Zoo (Zoo de Jurques) houses about 700 creatures from around the world. Here you can see everything from pumas to Humboldt penguins, along with a wide variety of snakes, primates, and birds, as well as an Australian aviary filled with colorful parakeets.