Caen, Prefecture city in Normandy, France
Caen is a prefecture city in Normandy in northwestern France, located about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the English Channel coast. The city spreads along the Orne River and includes two grand abbeys, several museums, and medieval buildings within its urban layout.
William the Conqueror established his power center in Caen during the 11th century and constructed the massive stone castle that still stands today. The city suffered heavy destruction during the Allied landings in 1944 and was rebuilt in the postwar decades.
The Memorial de Caen museum presents exhibits about World War II, the Cold War, and peace through artifacts, documents, and multimedia installations. Visitors walk through themed sections that document military conflicts and their impact on civilian populations.
The tram system connects major points across Caen, including the train station, university campus, and central commercial district. Many historical sites lie within walking distance of one another in the city center, which can be explored on foot.
The Vaugueux district maintains its medieval character with narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional stone buildings and local restaurants. These lanes run between preserved walls and form one of the few areas that survived postwar reconstruction largely unchanged.
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