From one district to another, you can experience the different contrasts and atmospheres in the city of Caen. It is not surprising that the city of Caen has been voted Normandy’s best city to live in! To make sure you don’t miss a thing during your visit, here are our top 4 districts for a day or night out in Caen.
1 – The Caen Peninsula, a new booming district
Close by the marina, the Caen Peninsula is the city’s new trendy district and currently being renovated. Here you can see the big Alexis de Tocqueville Library. From up close, its geometric shape like a Saint Andrew’s cross is intriguing, but its main aim is to convey a message turned towards the future. On the second floor of the Library is a vast reading room with a view over the banks of the River Orne! Imagine 2,300 m² filled with books and with two glass walls to let in the light… So would you like to do a spot of reading in one of France’s most beautiful libraries? When you leave, you can see plenty of street art and graffiti on the walls in the district.
In the evening, the Cargö has a full house! With its two performance halls, the Cargö offers concerts of contemporary music! Big Flo and Oli, Nova Twins, Les Boréales Festival… Music groups for everyone ranging from rap, to electro, to post-punk. From the Quais de l’Orne, the lights of the Cargö illuminated at night are even reflected in the water … During the day, it hosts seminars and events and even has a rehearsal center and six recording studios. Don’t hesitate to watch the lineup!
2- Marina atmosphere
In Caen, we love to take a walk at the marina and to enjoy some fresh sea air right in the city centre! In all seasons, you can enjoy a walk and see the sailing boats and ships at anchor in the port with the song of the rigging as your soundtrack… This is also the venue for a wide range of sailing events!
The Caen marina is also a district with lively terraces with its bars and restaurants on the Quai Vendeuvre. On Sunday, start your morning with a café on the terrace with a view of the sailboats, then go for a walk to the Saint-Pierre market. On summer evenings, the port comes alive with its craft night market, pubs and salsa nights!
3 – The banks of the Orne for a total change of scenery
At the weekend, the banks of the River Orne are ideal for a walk and for enjoying the landscape. Some people go fishing, while others share a picnic at the waterside. Summer is the right time to lay down your towel for a nap or to take a walk along the banks of the River Orne! And from April to September, you can try your hand at a kayak, canoeing, pedalo or standup paddleboard on the River Orne.
4 – The Vaugueux district with its bars and restaurants
In Caen, the medieval district of Vaugueux is a great place to go out for a drink! Here, the restaurants are in little cobblestone streets with half-timbered houses. In summer, you can also head for the inviting sunny terraces on Place Saint-Sauveur with a view over the ephemeral garden and the beautiful town houses of Caen. In the evening, make for Rue Ecuyère, the famous “rue de la soif” (“thirsty street”) to enjoy the best of the bars and nightlife in Caen!
5 – Hérouville Saint-Clair for its musical and cultural programme
On the northern outskirts of Caen, Hérouville Saint-Clair is a dynamic town with a variety of cultural offerings. A concert hall, an entertainment hall and the unmissable Beauregard Festival for musicians. Café des images for film lovers. Comédie de Caen for theatre lovers. All year round, Hérouville is on the move!
