Caen Port + Harbour Guide

LOCATION

The Caen Port, Ouistreham, is 15 km outside of the city. All ferries leave from the Channel Terminal, the western part of the outer harbor. There are several different modes of transportation to and from the harbor, depending on how you are traveling. While at the port, there are several amenities available, and once in the city of Caen, there are various attractions that are must sees.

TRANSPORTATION

If you are traveling by foot, you can take a bus ride into the city. From there, the city has National and European bus and train networks to all major cities in the area. Shuttle service between Ouistreham and Caen does not run for the evening arrivals. Taxi services are available going to and from the port with fares ranging from 30 € during the day and 40 € in the evening. There are usually drivers waiting at the terminals, however if there are not any taxis, go to the tourist desk and they can call one for you. The nearest railroad is 18 km from the port. Taking a bus to the railroad will be about a 40 minute trip. The SNCF service from Paris is around two hours. Traveling by car is very simple and convenient. You can take the N175 to Mont St Michel and Brittany. The N13 connects Caen to Bayeux and Cherbourg and the N158 leads to Le Mans and the Loire Valley.

FERRY ROUTES

Brittany Ferries provides travel to and from Portsmouth to Caen. It takes any where from six to seven hours on the standard ferry, or around four hours on the high-speed ferry. The price starts at 66 €.

FACILITIES

Ouistreham offers many different facilities. These include a cafeteria and bar, wheelchairs for the disabled, and shuttle service between the passenger terminal and the ships.

ATTRACTIONS

Caen has many historic attractions to tour. At the top of the to do list is the Caen Castle. Used in the military through the end of World War II, much of it was destroyed. It now holds one of the best collections of European Art. The Caen Memorial or Peace Memorial, gives an hour by hour account of D-Day. There are also a handful of museums as well as art galleries and historic buildings to tour throughout the city.