The Memorial and its gardens
Opened in 1988, the Caen Memorial is one of the most visited museums in northern France. It tells the story of the 20th century, the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy with a striking display. Around the building, three gardens — British, Canadian, American — pay tribute to the Allies and offer a peaceful setting to extend the visit in silence.
Colline aux Oiseaux and La Prairie
Right next to the Memorial, Colline aux Oiseaux, built on a reclaimed landfill, offers a rose garden, a plant maze and a small farm. To the south, La Prairie, a huge open space at the heart of the city, hosts the racecourse, play areas and running paths. An ideal meeting point for a stroll in the fresh air a step from the old ramparts.
All the way to the D-Day beaches
Less than half an hour’s drive away, the D-Day beaches — Sword, Juno, Gold — link Caen to the ocean and to its history. Along the Orne and the canal, the Cormoran barge welcomes cyclists on the Vélo-Francette route. On Lyad, people from Caen share their weekend itineraries; a chance to find someone to breathe the Channel air with.
Date ideas
- Caen Memorial
- Colline aux Oiseaux
- Memorial gardens
- La Prairie meadow
- La Prairie racecourse
- Cormoran barge
- Orne riverbanks
- D-Day beaches
