Caen is a quaint, old and yet modern city of Northern France of slightly more than 100,000 people. It is a cool to warm environment with temperatures rarely going over 72° F, although it can be freezing or near-freezing during December to February. It addition, it rains 1-2 inches each month every month of the year, with November having the heaviest rainfall (measuring 3.3 inches, on average.
It has had a long and varied history. In addition to being among the sights of prehistoric cave-paintings, and near the beaches of the Normandy Invasion, it was also a part of one of the many battles of the Hundred Years’ War which lasted from 1337 to 1453.
The new and old sights
When you hire your car from the train station, or even a car hire from the United Kingdom (as there is a ferry from the English Channel to a location just 9.3 miles away from Caen), then you can visit some or all of the following places.
You can drive your car hire to the amusement park called Parc Festyland in the nearby town of Carpiquet (population of about 2,250). Parc Festyland attracts about 110,000 visitors each year. This is less than 1% of the visitors to Disneyland, and even less than 10% of those of Nicco Park in Kolkata, but it is admirable for such a small locale. Moreover, that may be its strength; you certainly will not have to stand in long lines for the rides.
Although much of the area was destroyed during World War II, many of the churches fortunately (or divinely?) saved, including the Men’s Abbey, the Women’s Abbey, Saint Pierre Church, Saint Sauveur Church, Saint Jean Church, and Saint Nicolas Church and Cemetery.
Travelling and the need for car hire
For those who enjoy the benefits of travelling, you can see the beaches and the seasides of Caen, the rich cultural history of the 1,000-year old castle built by William the Conqueror and of other old buildings that survived the onslaught of World War II, and go to the many small towns in the area where you can see thousands of stars in the night sky (and always an enjoyable activity.
However, for most or all of these, you will definitely need to car hire. Other than the aforementioned train and ferry, there is little infrastructure in terms of transportation (although there is a modicum of bus and tram service).
