Itinéraire vélo : de Caen à Douvres-la-Délivrande

Built around 1060 by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy then King of England, the ducal castle in Caen is now home to the Musée de Normandie (Normandy Museum) and the Musée des Beaux Arts (Museum of Fine Arts).

This genuine plant museum, located in the heart of the town, offers several thousand species, some of them rare. Plant collection, typical Lower Normandy flora, exotic plant greenhouses. Medicinal garden, rockery, horticultural collections and children's play area. Horticultural tips for private gardeners from 8 to 12 a.m. and from 1.30 to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday except public holidays, either on site or over the phone. Closure subject to seasonal variations. Unaccompanied visit lasts 1h30 to 2 hours. Guided group tours of the greenhouses and the garden by appointment.

Located in the immediate vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, the Mémorial de Caen visitor centre is among the must-see sites focusing on the Battle of Normandy and 20th century history. From the origins of World War II to the end of the Cold War, museographical displays tell of these dark pages of 20th century history. Caen, bombarded during the summer of 1944, a liberated yet martyred city, deserved a tribute well worthy of the suffering it endured. Such is the aim of the Mémorial de Caen, but via action with a perpetual perspective - that of reconciliation. Over your visit, you will discover the historic events that marked World War II, from the onslaught of Nazism to the Normandy landings, via the Holocaust. Several films ensure a comprehensive and diversified visit. A museum area is specially devoted to the Cold War and to press illustrations. Constantly renewed for over ten years, the centre is at the heart of current reflection on the place of History in our societies. New film, ‘1944: Saving Europe’. Audio guides are available in French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Guided tours available through the trail focusing on World War II. You can also complete your visit over a guided tour of the D-Day Landing beaches or a city tour of Caen.

The Normandy Museum offers a panorama of the lives of the people who have occupied Normandy's entire territory, from prehistory to the massive migrations during the Early Middle Ages and up to the transformations brought to the rural landscape by the industrial revolution. Programme of activities to suit all visitors: guided tours, discovery trails, educational workshops, demonstrations and live performances. Boutique. Ticket sales at the Church of St. George, opposite the museum, within the Caen Castle enclosure.

Founded around 1060 by Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror, this abbey for Benedictine nuns enjoyed great renown from the 11th century to the French Revolution. Its abbey church - the Holy Trinity church. Its 18th century convent buildings are now home to the Lower Normandy Regional Council. Guided tours every day at 2.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Visits in both French and English - 1 hour 15 minutes.

Founded in 1063 by William the Conqueror, the Benedictine abbey of Saint Etienne (Saint Stephen) in Caen was consecrated in 1077. The 18th century monastic buildings housing the cloister, the wood-panelled rooms hung with paintings, and the Guardroom are today home to the Caen Town Hall. William the Conqueror is laid to rest in the abbey church. Guided tours : - In French, from October 1st to March 31th from monday to friday at 10:30am and 2:30pm. On Sundays (only during school holidays) at 10:30am, 2:30pm and 4pm. - From July 1st to August 31th : in french, every day at 10am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5:30pm. In English every day at 11am, 1:30pm and 4pm.

One of France’s finest Fine Arts Museums in the field of 16th to 20th century European painters, boasting an exceptional collection of engravings and organising temporary international exhibitions. In 2017: Marc Desgrandchamps, Dutch and Flemish painting in the 16th and 17th centuries. Opening of a Cubist exhibition room. Land art in the heart of the sculpture park, hosting ‘Ceiling Light’ by Jaakko Pernu, alongside Bourdelle, Rodin, Marta Pan, Huang Yong Ping and Morellet. Activities for visitors of all ages from age 3: family tours, workshops, tasting sessions, conferences, concerts, dance, cinema, etc. Fine arts book store and gift shop, restaurant-café Mancel, library. Unaccompanied tour lasts: 2 hours. Or guided tour in French or English: 1 hour. 2017 exhibition, ‘L'attention au réel. Art flamand et hollandais. Collections du musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève et du musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen’. (Attention to realism, Flemish and Dutch art. Collections from the Geneva Museum of Art and History and the Fine Arts Museum in Caen. Ticket sales at the Church of St. George within the castle enclosure.

Listed on the Historic Monument's supplementary inventory on the 7th of April 1975, the shop was built by Georges Lesage in 1901, following plans drawn up by the Caen-based architect Rouvray, one of Hector Guimard's former pupils. It is a three floor Baroque style house in the early 20th century composite style. The entrance is the most picturesque feature with a floral grid, petal-shaped window arch and an impressively high and narrow door. Visits of the outside only.

Its comprises two buildings in a three-hectare park. The entrance gate dates back to the 15 th century and was consolidated in the 19th century. The main building dates from 14 th and 15th centuries. Douvres became a barony in 1072 when Thomas of Dover ( 1st Archbishop of York, companion of William the Conqueror), it was then turned into a manor house and became the Bishop of Bayeux's country house. During the 18th century, it was rented to farmers and became a national property during the French Revolution. It has been renovated by the town of Douvres-la Délivrande and children can now enjoy a nice garden and a playground. Only french spoken Lectures, usually of a historical nature, on the last Thursday of January, February, March, May, October and November. Guided tours for groups, schools, etc. by appointment.

Station Radar 44: another look at D-Day! Enjoy a timeless experience at a unique remembrance site. Housed in the former German "Distelfink" detection station, Station Radar 44 invites you to discover the hidden face of D-Day: that of technology and detection. This unique site on the D-Day landing beaches lifts the veil on a little-known aspect of the Second World War and the decisive importance that electronic warfare had on the course of the conflict. Here, history is explored through authentic installations and a living approach to heritage. Why you'll love the experience: - An exceptional room: the museum presents the history of the site and the radar in the period bunkers. Today, it is the only site in France to display one of the few remaining examples of the giant Würzburg-Riese radar in the world. - Immerse yourself in the original bunkers: push open the doors of the original casemates to discover what went on behind the scenes. This interior tour allows you to imagine the daily life of the operators and how the first detection machines worked in their original environment. - A passionate welcome: The story is shared with you by volunteers whose explanations and mediation make the story captivating and accessible. - Events throughout the year: Exhibitions of military vehicles, "Etonnants Patrimoine" immersive tours for families... The site is suitable for a wide range of visitors: - Looking for fresh air? Stroll along the paths laid out on this 3.5 hectare site overlooking the Normandy countryside. - With your pet? The museum welcomes dogs with special attention (doggie bar), so that no one is left at the door. Maximum 3 dogs on a lead. - A committed visitor? The site has been awarded the "Accueil Vélo" label, and offers a reduced "low-carbon" rate for visitors arriving by soft mobility. Come and discover a living history In a nutshell: Housed in an authentic 1944 German Air Radar Station, the converted underground bunkers give you an insight into the daily lives of German soldiers and civilians, the construction of the Atlantic Wall, the history of the Station and the Radar, and its decisive role in the success of D-Day. Tours in French and English. Audioguides in French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian.

It was completed on the south side of Douvres-la-Délivrande on grounds that belong to the French State. It has been given to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which is in charge of its maintenance. It is one of the 17 British war cemeteries in Calvados. The cemetery contains 923 British graves, 180 German graves, 11 Canadian graves, 3 Australian graves, 1 Polish grave of an unknown soldier.