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
Arromanches
Arromanches is well known as the town where the Mulberry Harbour was built during the D-Day landings in 1944 See guide
Bayeux
Best known for its world-famous tapestry, Bayeux also has an imposing cathedral See guide
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
Cabourg
One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region See guide
Caen
With a castle, two abbeys and an attracive historic centre Caen is a very pleasant town to explore See guide
Cambremer
Cambremer is a very picturesque small village, ideally explored as part of the Normandy Cider Route See guide
Chateau de Boutemont
Beautiful chateau and gardens in the Calvados department of Normandy See guide
Creully
The medieval Chateau de Creully is the highlight in Creully See guide
Deauville
The resort of Deauville, established in the 19th century, is still one of the most upmarket beach resorts in Normandy See guide
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
Falaise
Best known for its castle, Falaise also has several other interesting monuments in the town centre See guide
Honfleur
There are lots of interesting things to see in Honfleur - if you can drag yourself away from the lovely harbour! See guide
Houlgate
The beach is certainly the main attraction at Houlgate, and there are also some imposing 19th century villas to see See guide
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
Lisieux
The painstaking rebuilding of Lisieux since the war has gone a long way to recapturing the feel of the medieval town See guide
Lisieux Basilica
The basilica in Lisieux is a 20th century church built in tribute to Saint-Therese, who lived in the town See guide
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
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
Villers-sur-Mer
Villers-sur-Mer is one of several friendly beach resorts along the Normandy coast See guide
Villerville
Less popular than neighbours Deauville and Trouville, the resort at Villerville also has a long beach See guide
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 guideFor more information see the Calvados guide
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
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