Calvados places to visit and attractions

Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Calvados department of Normandy. See also our Calvados travel guide

photo of Arromanches

Arromanches

Arromanches is well known as the town where the Mulberry Harbour was built during the D-Day landings in 1944
See guide

photo of Bayeux

Bayeux

Best known for its world-famous tapestry, Bayeux also has an imposing cathedral
See guide

photo of Beuvron

Beuvron

Part of the Normandy Cider Route, Beuvron has lots of half-timberd houses and is one of the prettiest villages in Normandy
See guide

photo of Cabourg

Cabourg

One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region
See guide

photo of Caen

Caen

With a castle, two abbeys and an attracive historic centre Caen is a very pleasant town to explore
See guide

photo of Cambremer

Cambremer

Cambremer is a very picturesque small village, ideally explored as part of the Normandy Cider Route
See guide

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photo of Chateau de Boutemont

Chateau de Boutemont

Beautiful chateau and gardens in the Calvados department of Normandy
See guide

photo of Creully

Creully

The medieval Chateau de Creully is the highlight in Creully
See guide

photo of Deauville

Deauville

The resort of Deauville, established in the 19th century, is still one of the most upmarket beach resorts in Normandy
See guide

photo of Dives-sur-Mer

Dives-sur-Mer

In the 'Village of William the Conqueror' at Dives-sur-Mer artisans and artists are brought together in a medieval setting
See guide

photo of Falaise

Falaise

Best known for its castle, Falaise also has several other interesting monuments in the town centre
See guide

photo of Honfleur

Honfleur

There are lots of interesting things to see in Honfleur - if you can drag yourself away from the lovely harbour!
See guide

photo of Houlgate

Houlgate

The beach is certainly the main attraction at Houlgate, and there are also some imposing 19th century villas to see
See guide

photo of Les Jardins du Pays d'Auge

Les Jardins du Pays d'Auge

The gardens of the Pays d'Auge are a beautiful mature garden set around a number of typical half-timber houses.
See guide

photo of Lisieux

Lisieux

The painstaking rebuilding of Lisieux since the war has gone a long way to recapturing the feel of the medieval town
See guide

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photo of Lisieux Basilica

Lisieux Basilica

The basilica in Lisieux is a 20th century church built in tribute to Saint-Therese, who lived in the town
See guide

photo of Normandy landing beaches

Normandy landing beaches

70 years on and the Normandy Landing Beches still attract thousands of visitors interested in the D-Day landings in 1944.
See guide

photo of Trouville

Trouville

The long established resort at Trouville has retained lots of its 19th century villas, which provide much of the character of the town
See guide

photo of Villers-sur-Mer

Villers-sur-Mer

Villers-sur-Mer is one of several friendly beach resorts along the Normandy coast
See guide

photo of Villerville

Villerville

Less popular than neighbours Deauville and Trouville, the resort at Villerville also has a long beach
See guide

photo of Vire

Vire

When you visit Vire be sure to also explore the Route des Gorges de la Vire' through the woods and valley of the River Vire
See guide

For more information see the Calvados guide

 
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Market towns & days in Calvados

all markets in morning unless otherwise stated

Aunay-sur-Odon: Saturday
Bayeux: Wednesday & Saturday
Blonville-sur-Mer: Friday
Blonville-sur-Mer: Tuesday (high season only)
Cabourg: Thursday & Monday & Saturday (high season only)
Cabourg: Wednesday & Tuesday & Sunday & Friday
Caen: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Sunday & Friday
Conde-sur-Noireau: Thursday
Courseulles-sur-Mer: Tuesday & Friday
Deauville: Tuesday & Saturday & Friday
Dives-sur-Mer: Tuesday (high season only)
Douvres-la-Delivrande: Thursday
Falaise: Saturday
Grandcamp-Maisy: Sunday
Herouville-Saint-Clair: Wednesday
Honfleur: Saturday
Houlgate: Thursday
Isigny-sur-Mer: Wednesday & Saturday
Le Molay-Littry: Thursday
Lisieux: Saturday all day
Mezidon-Canon: Sunday
Mondeville: Thursday
Orbec: Wednesday
Ouistreham: Wednesday & Saturday (high season only)
Ouistreham: Thursday & Sunday & Friday
Pont-L'Eveque: Monday
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: Thursday
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives: Monday
Thury-Harcourt: Tuesday
Tilly-sur-Seulles: Sunday
Troarn: Saturday
Trouville: Wednesday & Wednesday & Sunday & Sunday
Villers-Bocage: Wednesday
Villers-sur-Mer: Tuesday & Friday
Vire: Friday

Tourist attractions to visit in Calvados

The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...

Zoo or wildlife park

Parc zoologique de Jurques

Parc zoologique de Lisieux

4* Towns in Bloom

Cabourg: See tourist guide

Honfleur: See tourist guide

Touques

Ville d'etape

Villers-Bocage

Towns of Art and History

Orbec

Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)

Bayeux: See tourist guide

Honfleur: See tourist guide

Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'

Boutemont

Jardins du château de Brécy

Jardins du château de Vendeuvre

Plantbessin

Religious Monuments

Abbaye de Caen (Caen)

Cathédrale Notre Dame (Bayeux)

Eglise de Saint Pierre (Rucqueville)

Prieuré (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy)

Prieuré de Saint Gabriel Brécy (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy)

Regional Natural Parcs

Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin

Towns classified as Recommended Detours

Honfleur: See tourist guide

Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"

Beuvron: See tourist guide

 
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