caen - normandie - Office de Tourisme de Caen

Transcription

MEDIA PACK 2014
Caen Tourist Office, www.caen-tourisme.fr
Press Contact : Florence NIKOLIC
fnikolic@caen-tourisme.fr or + 33 2 31 27 14 12
CONTENTS
 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS AND THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY
 THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
 WHAT’S NEW IN CAEN ?
 FROM WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR TO THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY: 1000 YEARS OF HISTORY IN CAEN
 CAEN, CITY OF ART AND CULTURE
 THE UNUSUAL SIDE OF CAEN
 CAEN WITH THE FAMILY
 OTHER WAYS TO DISCOVER CAEN
 GASTRONOMY, BETWEEN TRADITION AND ORIGINALITY
 CAEN NATURE IN THE CITY
 CAEN: A BUSINESS DESTINATION
 CAEN IN FIGURES
70TH ANNIVERSARY
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This year, Normandy is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, with many
remembrance ceremonies as well as celebration events, all throughout 2014.
Come and celebrate Freedom !
From March to August 2014, you’re to a whole host of gatherings, events, shows and celebrations to
help understand this fascinating page in our history. Here are some of the highlights in Caen :
 « The battle of Caen » : guided walking tour (2h, in French only)
For the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Tourist Office is remembering life in Caen in June
and July 1944, following in the footsteps of its liberators. A guided tour to help understand the
decisive days during which the fate of a city and its inhabitants was sealed.
Every Wednesday from 30 April to 30 July 2014 (except 1 May), from 2.30 pm to 4.30
Practical information at www .caen-tourisme.fr
Rates : €6 , €4,50 (Schoolchildren, students, jobseekers), free for under -10s
Combined ticket – Battle of Caen/Equestrian Tour : € 10
 « Unmissable » city break : break idea (2 days/1 night)
A break to relive the history of the 20th century, with visits to the Mémorial de Caen, and why not the
D-Day beaches...
From €58 / pers.
Information and booking at www.caen-tourisme.fr
 The Mémorial de Caen at the heart of the event :
Two exhibitions taking you to the heart of the Battle of Normandy, with “100 objects from
the 100 days of the Battle” and “100 photos by Tony Vaccaro from Normandy to Berlin”
 General Richter’s underground bunker opens to the public: from this unique bunker
based in an old underground tunnel, General Richter commanded the front which covered
the Canadian and English sectors. This bunker was unassailable as it was dug in the depths of
the cliff overlooked now by the Mémorial, and played a crucial role in transmissions between
Berlin and the Normandy front. This major part of the heritage of the Battle of Normandy is
now finally unveiled to the public in complete historical accuracy. There are displays and
explanations of the Resistance and Occupation in Normandy, as well as the German defence
system.
 A monumental fresco on the façade of the Mémorial de Caen: two paintings on the
theme of the Liberation of Western Europe will be created by Jef Aérosol. Just below this
creation, Decaroline, a visual artist from Arromanches, will produce a fresco about the 100
days of the Battle of Normandy. Together these two works, an artistic performance never
seen before, will cover the façade of the Mémorial de Caen from June to September 2014.
 Evening gatherings in 2014 : Franco-German reconciliation. France Bleu Basse Normandie
(regional radio), France 3 (regional television), Ouest France (regional newspaper) and the
Mémorial de Caen organise historic meetings with residents of Lower Normandy. The aim of
these gatherings is to let residents talk about their histories and memories (starting on 8 April
2014).
 The European Youth Parliament: 250 students from 36 member states attend an event,
which aim is to teach young people about the historic legacy of the Battle of Normandy (from
27 May to 8 June)
www.memorial-caen.fr
 The Zénith de Caen : Tattoo de la Liberté 2014
An international festival of military music featuring a dozen groups
7 and 8 June at 8 pm and 9 June at 3 pm.
Rates: €25, €20 (reduced rate), non-numbered seats. Free for under -18s
Fifteen or so groups parade in the streets of Caen
Sunday 8 June 2014 at 3 pm.
 The Men’s Abbey : guided tour (1h30)
Civilian life during the Battle of Caen in June-July 1944: Hospital at the Men’s Abbey.
Every Tuesday from 1 June to 31 July at 2.30 pm.
Rates: €7, €5,50 (reduced rate), free for under -18s, jobseekers, veterans
Information and booking abbayeauxhommes@caen.fr
The International Ceremony will take place in Ouistreham on Sword Beach, in the English sector at the edge of
Caen, on 6 June 2014.
The programme for the other official ceremonies has not yet been announced.
This is a first for a decennial anniversary of the D-Day Landings : an official website has been created
for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy, with all you need to
know about the event. Amongst other things, you’ll find the following information:
- event calendar and geolocation
- a look back at history
- dedicated areas for professionals (press, trip, organisers, veterans...)
- certified events
- a practical information area to help organise your trip and your stay in Normandy
www.le70e-normandie.fr
THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
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THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES COME BACK TO EUROPE
From 23 August to 7 September 2014, all horse-lovers will be focussing their attention on
Normandy, which will be hosting two weeks of equestrian excellence. The best competitors in the
world today – riders, leaders, gymnasts and horses – will be coming together in a spiit of fraternity
and athletic performance.
After Kentucky in 2010, the event is returning to Europe, where i twas created in 1990. Normandy is
honoured to host the biggest equestrian event in the world, organised on French territory for the
first time ever.
This event displays the highest level of technical ability
in the world, on a par with the olympics, and is the
biggest sports event, ahead of EURO 2016. 27
World Champion titles will be awarded in 15 days!
Alternating with the Olympic Games every 4 years,
the World Equestrian Games will welcome top
competitors from over 60 nations, competing in the
8 official disciplines of the International Equestrian
Federation:
Jumping
Reining
Dressage
Vaulting
Eventing
Endurance
Driving
Para-Dressage
In 2014, the event will also introduce the public to
two new disciplines on a demonstration basis :
horseball and polo
KEY FIGURES
The FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games 2014 are
above all an amazing popular event, lasting for 15 days
and attended by :
500
000
spectators
500
1 200
300
journalists
spectators
photographers
million
viewers
300
60
1 000
1 000
exhibitors
nations
competitors
horses
AN EVENT AT THE HEART OF CAEN
Seven events will take place in caen, the regional capital, to maintain a sense of geographical unity
and make optimal use of the existing infrastructures.
 At the Stade d’Ornano : the opening and
 At the Parc des Expositions : the nerve
closing ceremonies, the Jumping and Dressage
centre of the event, the Reining competition,
competitions, and the Jumping, part of the
and the Games Village with exhibitions,
Eventing competition.
catering, and activities.
 At the Zénith : an ideal set-up for the
Vaulting competition.
 At the racecourse Hippodrome de la
Prairie : Para-Dressage and the Driving
competitions.
EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE IN CAEN
This guided tour, which takes place in the area around the meadow, is an ideal way to
explore the city’s equestrian heritage and visit the racecourse. (only in French)
Information at www.caen-tourisme.fr
WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE
The FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games 2014 village in Normandy will bring 15 days of festivities to
the heart of Caen. Around a huge open-air ring, visitors can explore a number of exciting areas:
country-western, circus, concerts, demonstrations and introductions to equestrian sports, work
horses and careers in the equine industry are also on the programme. The village will be open all day
to all members of the pubic, accessible to riders and non-riders alike. People who have already
bought tickets for the competitions enjoy free admission.
TICKETS
From November 2013 to spring 2014 : open to the general public, from France and abroad. Future
spectators will be able to book their tickets there via Discovery Pass and Pass Sensations.
From spring 2014 : only applies to the sale of tickets for a session at full price, subject to availibility.
Foreign visitors can also buy tickets through tour operators selected byt the Normandy 2014
Organising Committee.
Tickets are sold online via the Official website, and at Caen Tourist Office reception. Tickets will be
sent by post or email from May 2014.
MÉDIA
Media passes will be issued in February 2014. The hotel for the media will be in the Caen urban area,
near the main sites.
To find out all about the event and take a look behind the scenes :
www.alltechfeiweg2014normandy.com
To access exclusive content, join the E-Club 2014, the event’s online community : www.eclub2014.com
Press contact : presse@normandie2014.com
WHAT’S NEW IN CAEN ?
HOTELS
A new hotel, the Ibis Style Rives de l’Orne,
with 96 air-conditioned designer rooms.
Ivan Vautier, a 5-star hotel with 19 rooms
and a restaurant boasting a Michelin star
and a 3 chef’s hat rating in the Gault
Millau guide.
WELL-BEING
A great new City Break offering, to discover
Caen while enjoying a relaxing, pampering
holiday...
MUSEUM
Opening of the General Richter’s underground
bunker
SHOPPING
Two new shoping centres in Caen : Les Rives
de l’Orne (75 shops, 10 restaurants and 1
cinema) and Mondevillage (32 shops and 3
restaurants).
AMUSEMENT PARK
New amusement park in Caen, a 2 000 m²
world of adventure just for little pirates, with
lots of attractions (maze, slides, trampolines,
rope, bridges, food court…)
TECHNOLOGY
New mobile app VisitCaen due to launch by
the end of 2013.
FROM WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR TO THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY:
1000 YEARS OF HISTORY IN CAEN
After the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, the city’s destiny was closely linked to the
powerful island on the other side of the channel. During the One Hundred Years war, the English
occupiers contributed to the development of the ducal city with King Henry VI initiating the building
of the university. Finished in 1432, it is one of the oldest universities in France.
Founded in Roman times, Caen prospered during the Renaissance as testified by the splendour of the
Hôtel d’Escoville mansion and the half-timbered houses of Les Quatrans and Rue Saint-Pierre. At that
time Caen was often referred to as the “Athens of Normandy”. Following In the wake of the poet
François de Malherbe, an intense intellectual life permeated the city. Until the Age of
Enlightenment, Caen experienced a period of peace and prosperity and shaped its urban landscape.
In the 19th century, the town entered the industrial era. The railway line connected the city to Paris in
1855 while the canal flowing from Caen to the sea was opened in 1857 enabling the city’s
commercial port to open up to international trade.
On 6th June 1944, Caen found itself at the centre of world history with the Normandy Landings, a
decisive battle in the liberation of France and Europe in which 3 million men fought. Subjected to the
allied bombings during the summer of 1944, the capital of Lower Normandy was rebuilt in an
attempt to return it to its former glory. With the creation of the Memorial Museum, the city of Caen
asserted its commitment to peace, solidarity and the defence of Human Rights. This message, which
Caen projects across the whole world, earned it the UNESCO City for Peace award in 1999.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
Caen was born of the
love between a king and
a queen. In return for
approval for his marriage
to Matilda of Flanders (a
distant cousin), the Duke
of Normandy and his
wife built the Abbayeaux-Dames and the
Abbaye-aux-Hommes, true gems of Norman
Romanesque and Gothic architecture (choir of
the Saint Etienne abbey church). At the same
time, the Duke undertook the construction of
a rampart which became the Ducal Castle,
one of the biggest fortified constructions of
Europe. The urban development of Caen grew
around these three original buildings.
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THE CAEN MEMORIAL,
Museum for Peace
The Caen Memorial is, today, one of Europe’s
leading memorial museums, attracting an
average of 400 000 visitors each year. It has
been extensively refurbished over the last five
years and is at the heart of the reflection on
the period before and after 1945.
DID YOU KNOW?
CAEN STONE:
A stone unlike any other
Created 165 million years ago as the result of
a fortunate geological accident, Caen stone is
a limestone rock whose qualities were
appreciated as early as Antiquity. A fine and
uniform grain, lovely ochre colour, easy to cut,
the list of its qualities is long. Its best
ambassador was without doubt William the
Conqueror who took it in the 11th century to
invade England. The estimated 11 million
cubic metres, extracted from beneath the
town were used to construct the most
beautiful monuments, starting of course with
Caen’s two abbeys and castle. Belgium,
Holland, Germany, Italy, the United States, the
Bermuda Islands, Canada are just some of the
visas stamped on the passport on this great
traveller. Abandoned for a time at the
beginning of the 20th century, Caen stone was
again extracted to supply major restoration
work including Caen’s Saint Pierre church as
well as Canterbury Cathedral and Buckingham
Palace in the UK.
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR AND THE EPIC ADVENTURE
Calvados’ emblematic figure, William the
Conqueror, is the focus of a new tourist
initiative across the department.
Based on an original scenario narrating the
story of William the Conqueror in Calvados,
the towns of Bayeux, Caen and Falaise (all
three are closely linked to this figure) are now
integrated in a joint promotional initiative
called “William the Conqueror, the Epic
Adventure”.
The first phase of the project saw the creation
of a common graphic design, a website, a
video and a pedagogical booklet. The linking
up of the major sites through a common
signage system (information totems) is
planned.
To learn more about the universe of the
Norman hero, the epic adventure website has
three historical enigma trails to download
which use global positioning technology:
“secret quests” in the form of dramatised
trails through the sites and historical
monuments of Bayeux, Caen and Falaise.
In 2011, William the Conqueror became a real
hero 2.0 with a Facebook page (with more
than 7550 fans in June 2011), a mobile
website, geo-located quizzes and flashcode
More details on www.lafabuleuseepopee.com
Nowadays, just one single quarry still extracts
this stone: the Société des Carrières de la
Plaine de Caen.
More details on www.la-pierre-de-caen.fr.
Page 10
CAEN, CITY OF ART AND CULTURE
The cultural wealth of the city is conveyed through its abundance of museums. From the smallest to
the biggest, each one focuses on a theme which goes beyond the city’s limits. War and peace, nature
and the environment, archaeology and ethnology, Fine Arts…Visitors are sure to find within the
diverse range of museums something interesting to discover.
Caen also stages a number of events throughout the year: from the “Passage de témoins” book fair
to Caen Summer Nights (street entertainment in the parks and gardens across the city in July and
August), from the Zénith to the Cargö (contemporary music hall), from Viva Voce (festival of voices)
to Nördik Impakt (festival of electronic cultures) without forgetting the Borealis (a platform for
Nordic creation)… The diversity of museums, events, shows and concert venues fosters the
complicity between culture and the inhabitants of Caen.
QUALITY MUSEUMS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!
The Museum of Normandy: Housed in the
governors’ lodge of Caen Castle, the
archaeological and ethnographic collections
present clearly and succinctly the cultural
evolution of humans across the whole of
Normandy and the Channel Islands.
Specialised in Medieval Normandy, it is the
only museum devoted to the region’s history.
The Museum of Fine Arts: Also located within
William the Conqueror’s castle, it houses one
of the richest collections of 16th and 17th
century paintings (Le Pérugin, Véronèse,
Poussin…). The 18th century is represented by
French and Italian portrait and landscape
artists. The 19th century makes way for the
Romantic painters such as Géricault, Courbet
and Corot. Normandy is present in the form of
the impressionist brush of Monet, Boudin and
Vuillard. The museum also boasts a gallery of
more than 50 000 prints from the remarkable
Mancel collection.
Both museums offer a rich programme of
activities aimed at everyone (guided tours,
discovery trails, pedagogical workshops,
events, shows, etc.). Both located within the
castle, they also have the “Pass’murailles”
which gives unlimited access to the two
museums for one year for just €15. Admission
to both museums is free for everyone on the
first Sunday of each month.
Page 11
CULTURE IN THE STREET
Caen regularly organises free street shows to
attract crowds and make culture accessible to
everyone. With Caen summer nights, or
Presqu’île en fête, street arts take centre
stage.
FOCUS ON…THE IMEC
Created in 1988 on the
initiative of researchers and
professionals from the
world of publishing, The
mission of the Institute of Contemporary
Publishing Archives (IMEC) is to gather,
conserve and showcase France’s biggest
collection of private contemporary archives
and became in 2011 one of the most
important centres for the protection and
promotion of the Book by housing the art
studios of the national printing office and a
museum devoted to them.
Mainly focused on showcasing the archives
conserved by the Institute, the activities of the
IMEC involve publishing, events (colloquiums,
conferences,
research
seminars
and
exhibitions), training and tours of the abbey. In
2008, Jack Lang was appointed President of
the IMEC board.
Page 2
THE UNUSUAL SIDE OF CAEN…
The aim of this section is to tell you about some of the more unusual places to discover, visit or
contemplate…Places you may not have known were in Caen and yet which form part of the city’s
heritage!
 THE SCULPTURE PARK IN CAEN CASTLE
Within its walls, with the wide variety of landscaped areas which
they contain, the castle forms the perfect backdrop to this first
ensemble of ten sculptures One Man, nine animals (1999): the
whimsical animals created by the Chinese artist Huang Yong Ying are
perched on posts. The sculptor, who constantly seeks to place his
culture of ancestral China and Taoism face to face with western
culture, fell in love with this courtyard at first sight.
It is a monumental ensemble (belonging to the national collection of
contemporary art): a man on a chariot placed on the ground and nine imaginary animals perched on
12 posts each measuring between 4 and 12 metres. This imposing programme which has now taken
over the lawns of the rear garden of the Museum of Fine Arts, was designed for the French pavilion
at the Venice Biennale in 1999.
Note: the Caen Museum of Fine Arts organises events based on these sculptures.
More details: www.caen.fr/mba
 LUNA ROSSA: THE MUSEUM GARDEN OF ART BRUT
The aim of the association Luna Rossa which brings together lovers of art brut, or
outsider art, in Caen is to safeguard and provide a showcase for outsider artworks
under threat in the whole of western France. The association formed in 1996 and
two years later opened up to the public a museum garden located at 6 Rue
Damozane in Caen. A collection of works by manual workers, farmers and
marginal artists is presented in the form of an outdoor exhibition. The whole of
this collection is available for hire in other towns from November to April. The
works form a representative collection of the different techniques used in
sculpture. Visitors can see a biography of each artist as well as portraits and
photographs of the artworks’ original site.
 ARCHITECTURAL MODEL OF ROME
This large plaster architectural model stretching over almost 70 m²
represents ancient Rome at the time of Emperor Constantine (4 A.D.).
A listed historical monument, it is the work of the Norman architect
Paul Bigot (1870-1942), winner of the Grand Prix de Rome in 1900 and
Professor at the Paris School of Fine Arts. This is the original work,
there being two copies, one in Brussels and another in Italy.
Bequeathed to the University of Caen and today displayed at the
Centre for Research in Human Sciences, the model forms the basis of a
multidisciplinary project to create a 3D virtual reconstruction of the city, enabling us to stroll down
the streets and past the major buildings of Ancient Rome.
Page 3
 CAEN’S SWEDISH HOUSES
We are not referring to the arrival of IKEA in November 2011, but
rather the houses which will soon be celebrating their 70th
anniversary. After the Second World War, Sweden decided to
show its solidarity for the region of Normandy which had been
devastated by the bombardments. Between 1946 and 1948, it sent
two hundred wooden houses to Calvados. These prefabricated
wooden houses were equipped with central heating, bathroom
facilities and kitchen furniture. They had a large living room with
an
open
kitchen,
two
bedrooms
and
an
attic.
These detached houses provided four hundred homes for ten
towns and villages: Aunay-sur-Odon, Bretteville-sur-Laize, Caen
(Saint-Paul quarter, Rue d’Authie), Colombelles (the biggest
Swedish estate with 80 homes), Condé-sur-Noireau, Fleury-surOrne, Lisieux, Mézidon, Saint-André-sur-Orne, Thury-Harcourt.
More than sixty years later, these “tasteful and comfortable little
chalets” are still standing and continue to testify to the
overwhelming
generosity
of
the
Swedish
nation.
 A WALK IN THE OLD CEMETERIES: A STRANGE IDEA AND YET…
These so-called “dormant” cemeteries situated at the heart of the city bring a little bit of the
countryside to the city centre and are also a testament to the past. Somewhat wild with more than a
hint of Romanticism, nature and stone have become intertwined over the centuries to form a setting
of welcome abandon. Funeral monuments, chapels and gravestones can be glimpsed along the plantvaulted pathways.
 Saint-Nicolas cemetery: a little cranny of greenery with a superb Romanesque apse
 Saint-Jean cemetery: the resting place of Pierre-Claude Loyal (the one and only Monsieur
Loyal, a famous circus ringmaster between whose feet a tree has grown) and of Arcisse de
Caumont (an archaeologist and founder of the French Archaeology Society)
 Protestant cemetery: contains the grave of the dandy Beau Brummel
 Saint-Pierre cemetery: it has strange pious inscriptions dating from the 18th century on the
entrance pillars.
 Saint-Ouen cemetery: the only one to surround a church which is still a place of worship.
 ORNAVIK, FROM THE VIKINGS TO THE NORMANS
A 10-year experimental archaeological site recounting the history of
Normandy from 911 to 1066.
As in Guédelon in the Yonne, this is a recreation of the process of
organising a site and constructing all types of buildings. Accurate
reconstructions will be made using the techniques and materials of the
Middle Ages and with the expert advice of archaeologists and historians.
Ornavik enables visitors to spend a day outdoors, immersed in the
Norman way of life at the time of the region’s creation, to live in the
Scandinavian camp set up near the water in 2011 (activities, craftsmen,
etc.) and to take part in the Epic Adventure in this protected site at the
heart of the Caen metropolitan area.
Page 2
More details: www.ornavik.fr
Page 2
CAEN WITH THE FAMILY
Caen loves to welcome families and offers a wide range of activities: museums, gardens, amusement
parks… Everyone is sure to find some form of activity or entertainment to enjoy with the family!
 DISCOVERY TRAILS
FUN BOOKLETS FOR CHILDREN
Just like the great Norman conquerors who have marked the history of the
province since 911, children can set off to conquer Caen and its Castle thanks
to a fun little booklet. The questions draw on children’s observational skills and
sense of direction. They also encourage them to read, count, draw and sharpen
their curiosity. There are two booklets on sale all year round (A l'assaut du
château /Storming the castle – for 4/8 and 8/12 year olds & A la découverte de
Caen/ Discovering Caen - 7/13 year olds). Price: €1.50 per booklet
THE EPIC ADVENTURE
Created by the Calvados Departmental Tourism Committee, the Epic Adventure narrates the story of
William the Conqueror with a certain amount of dramatisation. It offers visitors an original way of
learning and discovering all aspects of the region’s emblematic figure, through 5 major historical
sites. The epic of William, so closely intertwined with Normandy’s heritage, is aimed in particular at
youngsters.
A fun booklet containing games to help children discover William’s epic adventure is available from
different sites across the department including the Tourist Offices of Caen, Falaise and Bayeux.
Created by a team of experts brought together by the Departmental Tourism Committee, the booklet
is packed with information and enigmas with little mascots on hand to engage youngsters’
imagination.
The Epic Adventure is a discovery trail, aimed at young conquerors aged from 7 to 12, for families to
enjoy at their own pace at the 5 major sites linked to William the Conqueror: the Abbaye-aux-Dames,
the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Caen Castle, the Bayeux tapestry, Falaise Castle. Price: €3 per booklet.
THE LITTLE TRAIN
A fun way to discover the town with the family on board the little train! A trip with commentary in
French and English lasting 45 minutes during which you will discover the city’s main sites such as
Saint-Pierre church, the ducal castle, the Abbaye aux Dames, the marina and the Abbaye aux
Hommes.
 CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
 Fun tours:
One Sunday each month at 3 pm, a tour aimed at families (children from the age of 6) to
discover the museum and its exhibitions. Designed to be fun and interactive, this visit is full
of riddles, anecdotes, mimes and drawing activities.
One Sunday and one Wednesday per month at 3.45 pm, the “children’s museum” is an
activity which aims to introduce youngsters (3-4 year olds) to the universe of the museum.
The tour calls on the senses: observational games, tactile discoveries, sound extracts...and
the visit is rounded off with a snack at the Café Mancel.
 Workshops:
A workshop for two pairs of hands: one Sunday a month, parents and children are invited to
observe the works, use their imagination and to experiment with different techniques using
two pairs of hands, at their own pace.
Courses: different types of courses are offered throughout the year and during the school
holidays to discover the history of art and its techniques.
Registration for these activities is required at least one month before the date.
Information and dates on www.mba.caen.fr
THE MUSEUM OF NORMANDY
The Museum of Normandy invites families to discover the Museum’s collections with
the help of fun booklets suitable for everyone: “The Little Archaeologist” (two levels),
“Life in the Home” (two levels) and “Animals” (for non-reading children).
The calendar of events includes tours with activities, workshops, tales, shows…
Information and dates on www.musee-de-normandie.caen.fr
THE CAEN MEMORIAL, history with the family
The Caen Memorial offers a family pass from €48 (valid for 2 adults and at least one child aged 10 to
18 years). The museum also has a crèche for little ones.
Details on www.memorial-caen.fr
 LEISURE ACTIVITIES
FESTYLAND, an amusement park on the history of Normandy
Guaranteed thrills for young and old alike: breathtaking slides, pirate boat, rollercoaster, merry-gorounds, rides on mechanical horses, trips on the water or in a little train, animal park…
New for 2012: VIKLAND, the magical world of children, fortified village devoted to children aged 0 to
6.
Details on www.festyland.com
WEST ADVENTURE AND BEAUREGARD ADVENTURE, treetop trekking for the whole family
The park invites adults and children to have some fun in the trees in complete safety. 9 trails through
the trees, ranging from the “pink” trail for children from the age of 2 to the new “extreme” trail for
more intrepid adults. Zip wire on each trail and various games.
Details on www.beauregard-aventure.com
INDOOR PLAY AREAS, a paradise for children
4 places perfect for keeping the children entertained in a safe area away from the heat, cold or rain,
complete with bouncy castles, trampolines, balls pits, slides, etc.
Ougapark (www.ougapark.fr), Girafou (www.girafou.com), Royal Kids (www.royalkids.fr) and l’Ilot
z’Enfants (www.lilotzenfants.fr)
BIRD HILL PARK (COLLINE AUX OISEAUX)
Visitors can unwind with a leisurely stroll around this park to discover the rose garden, the Norman
farm, the maze and the energy positive house…There are also play areas and picnic areas as well as a
crazy-golf course.
Details on www.caen.fr go to sustainable development>green areas
THE CAEN MAZE
This 60 000m² outdoor maize maze provides enjoyment for everyone. Come and discover the fun
trail sprinkled with enigmas, games and traps which you need to solve to find your way out!
The site offers various other activities: mini-farm, bouncy castle, refreshment stall, picnic area, etc.
Details +33 (0)6 74 24 83 42 or labyrinthedecaen@hotmail.fr
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
 Créa: an association organising workshops devoted to plastic arts, circus arts, etc.
 Laser game: two different indoor maze games. Concept accessible to everyone offering a
blend of relaxation, sport, competitiveness and team spirit in a game requiring skill and
strategy without contact or impact.
 Le Hamak: a leisure area with Jungle crazy-golf and lasergame megazone.
 PaintballFury: Two teams go head to head, armed with paint balls. Each player must attempt
to infiltrate the enemy camp and seize their flag.
 Bowling: two bowling alleys in the Caen urban area.
 Sirena: An aquatic centre accessible to everyone with a training pool, a fun pool, paddling
pool and 2 slides. A well-being area, Océane (reserved for over 18s): sauna, hammam,
jacuzzi, balneotherapy pool, aquabike.
OTHER WAYS TO DISCOVER CAEN…
Caen unveils its riches to those who take the time to lift up their heads and venture with an
inquisitive eye into its old quarters. Across the city the past leaps out at us. Here we are sprayed by
an impudent gargoyle, there we are reminded of the city’s history by one of its statues while further
along we are intrigued by an interior courtyard.
 FUN RALLIES, “Caen from head to toe”
This series of enigma trails organised by the Caen Tourist Office unveils the little secrets of the main
districts of Caen’s historical centre. Visitors become the protagonists in their own tour and discover
the city at their own pace. Extensive knowledge of the city’s history is not necessary, but rather logic,
keen observational skills and a liking for charades, puzzles, anagrams and other word games.
Five trails (The King’s Burg in the historical centre, The Abbot’s Burg around the Abbaye-auxHommes, The Abbess’s Burg around the Abbaye-aux-Dames, and Castle) are available only in French.
Each can be completed separately from the others and by solving the enigmas visitors will discover
the streets and monuments of Caen. A final enigma rounds off each trail. Only one english version.
Price €4 per trail
 DRAMATISED TOURS AND MUSICAL WALKS (ONLY IN FRENCH)
The most popular activity organised by the Tourist Office where history and theatre merge. These
evening tours are led by an approved guide who takes the visitor to some exceptional places. Actors
take part in the tour and lend it a humorous, sometimes dramatic tone.
The full theatrical walk to the castle completes the offer with a slightly different tour which is more
suitable for families. These tours take place at the end of the afternoon and the theatre company
takes the public on an entertaining and surprising journey through the history of the medieval
building.
The musical walks follow the same concept as the dramatised tours, the music replacing the theatre,
and are therefore an ideal way for non French-speaking visitors to enjoy the tour.
 THE LITTLE TRAIN…
The little train has been back among us for 3 years now. From April to September visitors can enjoy a
trip with French/English commentary which takes in the city’s main sites such as Saint-Pierre church,
the ducal castle, the Abbaye-aux-Dames, the marina, the Abbaye-aux-Hommes and Place SaintSauveur. A classic, certainly, but the perfect way to get an overview of the town and its heritage.
 DISCOVERING CAEN BY BIKE
Cyclists and nature lovers can follow one of the routes suggested by the Caen Tourist Office: with the
help of a map indicating the route to take, they can discover at their own leisurely pace and in
complete freedom different aspects and monuments of the city. 3 itineraries are available: Caen’s
gardens, In the footsteps of William the Conqueror, Caen along the waterside.
 CAEN MOBILE
You can also download the audio tours (only available in French) from our website www.caentourisme.fr, in the tours sections.
The tours, entitled “Caen: the fiefdom of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of
England”, take you in 7 of the city’s major places of interest:
 Caen castle
 The castle ramparts
 Saint-Pierre Church
 The port
 The Ladies’ Abbey
 The Place Saint-Sauveur
 The Men’s Abbey
You can also download this circuit for GoogleEarth.
MOBILE APP: VISITCAEN
The VisitCaen app is a great way for visitors and residents to discover the best of Caen using their
smartphone. With its streamlined, fun and simple design, the app will help you:
- geolocate yourself in Caen and find all the best places to go: restaurants, sites, bars, shops,
nightclubs.
- Discover unusual trails through the city, based on various themes (William the Conqueror,
the Second World War, shopping, nightlife,...)
- Find out what’s on tin the city with a detailed events diary
- The app also gives advice with its “tailor-made” algorithm: enter a few criteria (you’re with
friends or want to go dancing for example) and the app will make recommendations based
on them.
GASTRONOMY, BETWEEN TRADITION AND ORIGINALITY…
Normandy is a region renowned for its gastronomy: Camembert, Calvados, Pommeau, crème fraîche,
scallops…just the very mention is enough to make the mouth water. Caen is also instrumental in
perpetuating this reputation thanks to its specialities, its renowned restaurants and some original
initiatives.
 TRIPES A LA MODE DE CAEN
Tripes Caen-style (Tripes à la mode de Caen) is one of our city’s historical dishes, the quality of which
is safeguarded by the Brotherhood of Norman gastronomy “La Tripière d’Or” created in 1952. In
order to defend and promote this recipe, "La Tripière d'Or" (literally “the golden tripe pot”) organises
an annual contest for professionals whose know-how enables food lovers to appreciate the authentic
Tripes à la mode de Caen.
Chancellerie de la Tripière d'Or
Palais Ducal, 6 impasse Duc Rollon in Caen (latripieredor@yahoo.fr)
Recipe
O ! Cher poète, je te fais don
De ma recette : tripes à la mode
Pour cuire de bonne façon
Parfaitement selon le code
Pieds de bœuf, feuillet,
Les mulettes et le bonnet,
En vue de cette ripaille,
Coupe en morceaux carrés
Dans l'eau claire, bien lavée
Toute cette tripaille,
Carottes, oignons en rouelles,
Poireaux, bouquet garni,
Clous de girofle, céleri,
Alors, ma toute belle,
De la potée en terre,
Tapissée de beurre frais
Va monter l'odeur des prés.
Avec onction, à ce mélange
De produits du cru,
Dispense, de calva, un verre,
Couvre l'édifice de pur jus,
D'un bon sel modérément,
De poivre moulu, abondant,
Assaisonne cette vendange.
Douze heures de cuisson au four
D'un boulanger d'alentour.
Il importe, au bout de ce temps,
Que le jus onctueux, doré,
Réduit, odorant, corsé,
Baigne ce mets truculent.
Tu serviras cette merveille
Dans des assiettes brûlantes.
Et voici, de ta servante
La recette, sans pareille,
Que m'a léguée un mien parent,
Des tripes à la mode de Caen.
Jean LE HIR
 CHOCOLATES MADE IN CAEN
Matilda’s delights
Queen Matilda is another of the city’s emblematic figures. So it was only natural for a chocolate to be
dedicated to her. Jérôme Boutel, a chocolate maker at the Charlotte Corday chocolate factory (an
institution since 1910) pays tribute to the Queen with his creation, a chocolate consisting of candied
orange peel mixed with roasted and crushed hazelnuts, surrounded by two thin layers of almond
paste.
Charlotte Corday, 114 rue Saint Jean in Caen (02 31 86 33 25)
Drakkars and Cancans
The word “Drakkar” evokes many things in Caen. This confectionery treat was created in 1960 by the
Hotot chocolate factory and pays homage in its own way to the Vikings who conquered Normandy. It
is a crunchy meringue with a praline fondant centre.
You will also find at Hotot the famous "Cancans". It is said that the chocolate maker designed them
as a tribute to three young women who were chatting (in French, “cancaner”) outside the chocolate
shop. The craftsman invented three different chocolates, one for each of the girls: a thin ganache
with champagne, an almond paste with rum and raisin and a praline with Cointreau.
Hotot, 13, rue Saint-Pierre in Caen (02 31 86 31 90)
The Toucan, Bisous de Caen and the Dame de Caen…
Created some 30 years ago by Monsieur Témoin, the Toucan is a hazelnut praline with a nougat
feuilletine: a sweet treat which pays homage both to Caen and the bird from South America, home of
the cocoa bean.
Bisous de Caen, (“Caen kisses”), pink chocolates in the shape of a mouth, are a white chocolate
mousse flavoured with Calvados. The Dame de Caen, is an orange-flavoured almond paste with
raisins soaked in Calvados.
The Témoin family established their business in Rue Saint-Pierre in 1877. Master chocolate makers
from generation to generation, they handed over its reins in 2007.
Témoins, 69 rue Saint-Pierre à Caen (02 31 86 31 88)
STARS ON YOUR PLATE…
Caen has two restaurants boasting Michelin stars which serve up refined, modern cuisine which is
also inspired by local flavours.
Incognito A contemporary restaurant near the St Pierre basin with the kitchens overlooking the
restaurant. The chef’s dishes are refined, always cooked to perfection and with exquisitely balanced
flavours. One Michelin star. Stéphane Carbone also offers cookery classes.
Stéphane Carbone - 14, rue de Courtonne in Caen (02 31 28 36 60)
Le Pressoir: one Michelin star, named best restaurant in the city by Gault Millau which awarded it 3
Toques in 2011, as well as by the 2012 Bottin Gourmand guide. Ivan Vautier is having awards heaped
upon him for his inspired, creative and subtle cuisine based on fresh produce served in this
refurbished and extended restaurant with a contemporary, subdued and elegant decor.
Ivan Vautier - 3, Avenue Henry Chéron in Caen (02 31 73 32 71)
CAEN NATURE IN THE CITY …
The environment is of particular significance to Caen and its inhabitants. The city boasts an
exceptional green heritage with more than 500 hectares of green areas integrated into the centre
and the various districts, ideal for recreational activities, relaxation or a spot of daydreaming.
PARKS AND GARDENS
Botanical garden
More than 8 000 species spread out over 5 000 m².
A true cradle for botany in Caen, with more than three centuries of history,
this garden is a real plant museum presenting flora native to Normandy,
medicinal plants, rock gardens, exotic greenhouses and a whole array of
horticultural plants.
Beyond its scientific role of the conservation, introduction and reintroduction
of plant species, and its pedagogical and cultural vocation, the plant garden,
described by La Varende as a true "flower museum", is also a paradise for
children and families who for generations have been coming to enjoy the play
areas and Nature’s spectacular show.
Bird Hill
The result of the amazing rehabilitation of a former municipal dump, Bird Hill (Colline aux Oiseaux) is
now a 17-hectare landscaped and floral park. Inaugurated to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day
landings, this floral park comprises numerous themed gardens including an exceptional rose garden
at the heart of the site (15,000 roses). On top of the hill, there is also an animal park with domestic
breeds native to the region
Michel d’Ornano Park
Formerly Saint-Louis Park and the property of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, the Michel
d’Ornano Park has been open to the public since 1992. Its six hectares were redesigned by the
landscape artist Michel Bourne based on 18th century plans, and in particular on the "Plan of the
Royal Holy Trinity Abbey of Caen”, dating back to 1774.
The majestic axial perspective, the French-style beds, the balance between the green borders and
the wooded areas, as well as the rectilinear pathways lined with old lime trees, which frame the
ensemble, are the ideal complement to the classical architecture of the Abbaye aux Dames
LA PRAIRIE, the city’s green lung
The Prairie is a major element in the historical and natural heritage of
the town.
The history of this green monument stretching over 90 hectares, just a
stone's throw from the city centre, is closely linked to that of Caen’s
inhabitants.
The Prairie was mentioned as early as 1027 in a text which qualifies it
as "the Dukes thing". Through a series of acquisitions and donations, a
part of these meadows, "the Abbey Prairie", passed into the hands of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes. This
did not stop the inhabitants using is as pasture to graze their animals on the “second growth of hay”,
a custom which became part of Norman Law for centuries.
The site has been listed on the inventory since 1932, protected...and liable to flooding, serving as a
reservoir when the Orne breaks its banks. Today the Prairie is the city’s green lung, a place of
recreation, for jogging or ambling, much appreciated by Caen’s inhabitants.
LE SAVIEZ-VOUS ?
To the east of the Prairie, the clay track of the racecourse runs like an ochre ribbon around the green
carpet of the Prairie. The first trotting race was organised here in 1834 and, in 1864 Norman
breeders created the forerunner of the Society for the Encouragement of Horse Breeding in France
(SEFC). The SEFC in fact still owns the buildings. Caen has since become the capital of trotting and the
breeding of trotters.
The Prairie, an ornithological reserve, is also a natural wetland, a rural observation site, an area for
the discovery of plant and wildlife. The lake, created in 1982, to the west of the natural site, is home
to herons, cormorants, moorhens, black-headed gulls and other snipes, rarely seen so close to a
town.
THE COMMUNAL FOREST OF GRIMBOSQ
Lying 15 km from the town, this 475 hectare communal park stretches between the villages of
Grimbosq and Saint-Laurent. A strategic site in mediaeval times to control the crossing of the Orne,
its land was considered by the monks to be too poor to cultivate and was therefore left as a forest.
To the north, the 11th century feudal motte testifies to the importance of the site.
A popular place for recreational activities, Grimbosq is now a key area for numerous disciplines:
hiking with the GR36 which links Ouistreham to Le Mans, mountain biking with trails listed by the
sport’s federation, orienteering races (the forest is listed as a National Trail), adventure races, etc. A
vast arboretum with species of trees from three continents and an animal park stretching over 8
hectares with "traditional" breeds of deer and woodland wildlife enhance this site which each year
receives 260,000 visitors.
Unusual fact: the Forest of Grimbosq contains a pet cemetery (more than 600 plots available for four
years, renewable once)
LE SAVIEZ-VOUS ?
DID YOU KNOW?
CAEN IS THE LADYBIRD CAPITAL
Seven-spot and two-spot ladybirds
are bred to fight against aphids in the
city’s greenhouses and green areas.
Part of the production is passed on to
the inhabitants of Caen and the
surrounding area for them to use as
an ally in their own gardens.
Caen, is a green and ecological city,
and the first in France and indeed
Europe to have launched such a scheme,
which aims to demonstrate that there are
alternatives to the use of chemical
insecticides.
CAEN: A BUSINESS DESTINATION
Less than two hours away from Paris, Caen is an ideal destination to host your events. Between sea
and countryside, you’ll find plenty of incentive and team-building activities.
10 REASONS TO CHOOSE CAEN FOR A CONFERENCE OR BUSINESS EVENT
Undeniably close to Paris (motorway, airport, train)
An exceptional environment, between land and sea, with a rich architectural heritage, parks and
gardens, a racecourse and a marina in the city centre
A setting of great cultural, scientific, economic and tourist interest, an a city on a human scale
A city of challenges and innovation: the area is a leader in the contactless mobile sector, certified
in January 2011, and is a well-known, high-achieving research centre in various fields
A range of skills and knowledge in events logistics
18 sites to host your events: from the 16 000m² Parc des Expositions to the Grange aux Dimes, a
14th century building on a medieval agricultural estate, caen offers a range of solutions to suit all
tastes.
Two sites by the sea, at ouistreham and cabourg, to discover the Normandy Coast at the edge of
Caen
A large, diverse range of hotel accommodation (over 2 800 rooms), along with many well-known
restaurants
A diverse and varied range of incentive activities: amusement park, forest acrobatics trail, bowling,
golf, paintball and shows, as well as scavenger hunts, cookery workshops, multi-activity challenges,
water sports...
An energetic, knowledgeable team always on hand to make your event a success. Caen Event is
known for its expertise in events organisation: trade shows, national and international
conventions, gatherings, meetings, symposia, civil service exams, exhibitions...
The Caen Event team is always at your service and can make your job easier by playing a coordinating
role with service providers, professionals and institutions. It can help with event logistics, offer a
bespoke service to ensure your event is a success, and manage your accommodation, working side by
side with you.
To find out more: www.caenevent.fr
CAEN IN FIGURES…
PROFILE
capital of Lower Normandy and Calvados
surface area: 25.7 km²
 108 954 inhabitants in the town (2010) and 242 000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area (35
communes which represent ⅓ of the inhabitants of Calvados)
 500 hectares of green areas comprising 20% of the town's surface
 14 km of canal, 83km adapted for cycle
 1 marina (92 berths) and 1 racecourse in the heart of the city
 1 congress centre, 1 exhibition park
 numerous concert venues including the Cargö, the Théâtre de Caen, the Zénith…
 30 000 students including 24 336 on 5 university campuses
 2 tram lines and more than 30 bus routes
KEY TOURISM FIGURES
 number of tourists: 1 200 722 visitors estimated in 2012 in the tourist places of Caen.
 independent and chain hotels: 34 hotels offering 3 018 beds in the town centre and 18 hotels in
the outskirts offering 2 355 beds, 7 tourist accommodation complexes.
 around one hundred restaurants and almost 200 retailers
 3 main tourist sites: Abbaye-aux-Hommes, the ducal castle and Abbaye-aux-Dames
 4 museums including the Caen Memorial which has received more than 9 million visitors since it
opened in 1988
 1 amusement park and numerous leisure facilities.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS
 airport of Caen-Carpiquet: daily international flights via Lyon (100 769 passengers in 2012)
 a cross-channel ferry port linking Caen to Portsmouth (942 550 passengers in 2012) with several
daily departures and a fast service (3½ hrs instead of 5¾ hrs) on weekends during the high season.
 a dense motorway network: A13 to Paris, Rouen and Le Havre, A84 to Rennes and Nantes,
A88/A28 to Le Mans and Tours and A29 to Lille
 a new railway station with 13 daily trains to Paris and a fast train to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle.
 a departmental bus network connecting Caen to the whole of Calvados and the rest of Normandy
(Les Bus Verts)

caen - normandie - Office de Tourisme de Caen

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