Museums to visit in Caen in any season
Whatever the weather, Caen offers a variety of museums to visit all year round.
Discover our selection of museums for a cultural getaway filled with history, art, and new discoveries.
Opened in 1988, the Caen Memorial is one of the city’s must-see museums.
Immerse yourself in the pivotal moments of the 20th century from the rise of totalitarian regimes and the Battle of Normandy to the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, and the Cold War.
Until November 11, 2026, you can visit the exhibition "(De)colonizations: African Artists Interrogate History."
📍 Address: Esplanade Général Eisenhower, 14050 Caen
🕐 Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April–September) and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (October–December).
💶 Admission: From €20.80; €18.50 for ages 10–18; free for children under 10.
Located within the castle grounds, the Museum of Normandy traces the lives of the Norman people from prehistoric times to the present day through collections of archaeological finds, ethnographic artifacts, and everyday objects.
📍 Address: Château de Caen, 14000 Caen
🕐 Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (hours may vary by day).
💶 Admission: From €7
Located next to the aforementioned site, the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) houses major works of European painting from the 16th to the 20th century, as well as collections of engravings.
📍 Address: Le Château, 14000 Caen
🕐 Opening Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (hours may vary by season).
💶 Admission: From €5
The Caen City Hall also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
To explore the city’s museums without wasting any time, check into a hotel in Caen overlooking the Place de la République.
The Best Western Royal Hôtel*** is located just a 5-minute walk from the castle and less than 10 minutes from the Vaugueux district. A secure underground public parking garage is available 20 meters away.
Discover our 47 air-conditioned rooms, including family rooms. In the evening, enjoy a drink at the "La Couronne" bar and explore our selection of Norman beers and ciders.
Guests staying at the hotel receive a discount code for the Caen Memorial (Mémorial de Caen).
Feel free to ask the front desk for details before booking.
Discover our selection of museums for a cultural getaway filled with history, art, and new discoveries.
The Caen Memorial: an essential museum for understanding the 20th century
A journey from the Second World War to the Cold War
Opened in 1988, the Caen Memorial is one of the city’s must-see museums.
Immerse yourself in the pivotal moments of the 20th century from the rise of totalitarian regimes and the Battle of Normandy to the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, and the Cold War.
A temporary exhibition to explore in 2026
Until November 11, 2026, you can visit the exhibition "(De)colonizations: African Artists Interrogate History."
Practical information
📍 Address: Esplanade Général Eisenhower, 14050 Caen
🕐 Opening hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April–September) and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (October–December).
💶 Admission: From €20.80; €18.50 for ages 10–18; free for children under 10.
Caen Castle: two museums in the heart of the city
The Museum of Normandy: a thousand years of regional history
Located within the castle grounds, the Museum of Normandy traces the lives of the Norman people from prehistoric times to the present day through collections of archaeological finds, ethnographic artifacts, and everyday objects.
Practical Information
📍 Address: Château de Caen, 14000 Caen
🕐 Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (hours may vary by day).
💶 Admission: From €7
The Museum of Fine Arts Highlights Painting
Located next to the aforementioned site, the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) houses major works of European painting from the 16th to the 20th century, as well as collections of engravings.
Practical Information
📍 Address: Le Château, 14000 Caen
🕐 Opening Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (hours may vary by season).
💶 Admission: From €5
The Caen City Hall also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Stay at a Hotel in Caen City Center
To explore the city’s museums without wasting any time, check into a hotel in Caen overlooking the Place de la République.
The Best Western Royal Hôtel*** is located just a 5-minute walk from the castle and less than 10 minutes from the Vaugueux district. A secure underground public parking garage is available 20 meters away.
Discover our 47 air-conditioned rooms, including family rooms. In the evening, enjoy a drink at the "La Couronne" bar and explore our selection of Norman beers and ciders.
Guests staying at the hotel receive a discount code for the Caen Memorial (Mémorial de Caen).
Feel free to ask the front desk for details before booking.
