The D-Day beaches and the Normandy landing sites are the obvious excursion from Caen — Sword Beach, where British and Canadian forces landed, is less than 20 kilometres north. The Mémorial de Caen runs excellent guided bus tours to the main sites, which is the easiest option for visitors without a car.
Bayeux, 30 kilometres west, is a beautiful medieval town that escaped the 1944 bombing largely intact. The famous tapestry — 70 metres of embroidered linen depicting William's conquest of England — is kept there and is one of the great medieval artifacts of Europe.
Honfleur, the picturesque harbour town that inspired many of the Impressionists, is about 60 kilometres to the east and makes a fine day trip if you're not continuing along the Côte Fleurie. The drive follows the Calvados coast through pleasant Norman countryside.
