Making the most of Caen
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ports de Normandie operates the Port of Caen-Ouistreham, serving both commercial and cruise traffic.
The 15 km Canal de Caen à la Mer links Ouistreham on the sea with Caen city centre.
Smaller vessels enter the canal and reach the quays in Caen itself, while larger ships berth at Ouistreham.
Twisto bus line 12, including the 12 Express, links Ouistreham port with central Caen. Tickets are about €2, and the journey is approximately 19-30 minutes.
Sightseeing
See the Caen tourist site.
Château de Caen, or Caen Castle, was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses and contains the Musée de Normandie and Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Mémorial de Caen, the Caen Memorial Museum, is among France's most important WWII museums. It covers D-Day, the Battle of Normandy and peace efforts after 1945, with exhibits, films and memorial gardens.
Nearby places
Nearby Hillman Fortress and Batterie de Merville are WWII German bunkers and coastal defenses now used as small museums.