RV Rental Caen, FR

A popular green space in Caen is La Colline aux Oiseaux, or the Hill of the Birds. The gardens here hide a darker past. The site where the picturesque gardens now flourish was once a city dump and waste incinerator. The park was named after the birds that flocked to the city dump, and many locals call it Bird Hill Park. Visitors can wander through a breathtaking rose garden or a maze created with boxwood. Bring a picnic and spend an afternoon surrounded by beauty. Families with children can head over to the petting zoo and meet farm animals such as goats, ducks, and chickens.

Find an RV rental near Caen and spend time wandering through the Jardin des Plantes. There are over 8,000 plant species divided into different areas, such as the arboretum, medicinal garden, and horticultural collections. The tree park is home to a Japanese pagoda tree believed to be over 3,000 years old. Visit the greenhouse and admire exotic plants from Africa and Asia, including peperomia succulents, Rhipsalis cacti, and sansevierias.

Another fantastic garden to visit is Vallée des Jardins, or Valley of the Gardens. Multi-use trails zigzag throughout the arboretum and flower gardens. The arboretum features a large collection of viburnum, bush roses, birch trees, maple trees, and decorative bark trees. There are picnic tables dotted throughout the gardens. Play a game of disc golf after enjoying a picnic lunch.

Looking for a place to park your motorhome rental near Caen? Head over to Aire de Camping Car Merville in Touffreville. This is a small campground with access to the beach. The campsites are small, so larger motorhomes cannot be accommodated. Electric hookups and water are available at all campsites.

Drive your rental RV from Caen to Ouistreham and camp in comfort at the Riva Bella Seasonova campground. Located on the coast with direct access to the Canal de l’Orne, this campground is an ideal spot for nature lovers. Each site has electric hookups, and guests also have access to Wi-Fi, showers, and laundry facilities.

Normandie sur Mer Oasis in Lion-sur-Mer is a family-friendly campground with access to a sandy beach. Campsites are level and grassy, and each site comes equipped with electric and water. Hot showers and modern toilets come standard. A snack bar is also open for campers to enjoy.

Renting a travel trailer in Caen is a great way to ensure the freedom to fully explore the city and surrounding area. Visit Mémorial de Caen, where you can walk through a 230-foot-long tunnel that leads into a museum with exhibits on World War II. The museum also has exhibits about the Cold War, including a section of the Berlin Wall and an East German Trabant, a car that's considered one of the worst ever made. The memorial itself sits on top of the underground bunker where Wilhelm Richter, a German general, coordinated German defense during Normandy’s D-Day.

Château de Caen, or the Castle of Caen, was built by William the Conqueror and completed in 1160. While the actual castle has fallen to ruins, several parts of the castle are still standing, such as the site of William the Conqueror’s residence, two gatehouses, and the outer walls. Venture through the two museums and grab a bite at the café. The estate also features large lawns where visitors can admire the countryside.

While vacationing in Caen, visit the Abbaye aux Hommes, also called the Abbey of Saint-Étienne. The abbey was established by William the Conqueror in 1063 as a way to have absolution for marrying his cousin, Matilda de Flanders. The outside of the abbey is a treasure with its Gothic towers and weathered walls. William the Conqueror’s tomb is located in the abbey. Visitors can enjoy touring the wooden choir stalls and pulpit that date back to the 1600s. The tour also leads visitors to the cellar under the refectory and convent buildings. A working medieval apple press is located in the cellar.