The best road cycling routes around Vieux

A marina to explore on foot or by bike. Very pleasant with its restaurants and its location right in the city centre.

Totally impressive. You should stop by.

The first trotting race was organized in the Prairie on August 26, 1837, by the Caen Agricultural and Commercial Society. On February 13, 1839, the city decided to create a permanent racecourse. In August of the following year, it was agreed to build stands to accommodate spectators. In 1845, the earth from the digging of the Caen-Sea Canal was dumped into the Prairie to build the racecourse. On October 21, 1864, the Society for the Encouragement of the Improvement of the French Half-Blood Horse was created in Caen to regulate the trotting racing code for the whole of France. (letrot.com/hippodromes/caen/1400)

The first trotting race was organized in the Prairie on August 26, 1837, by the Caen Agricultural and Commercial Society. On February 13, 1839, the city decided to create a permanent racecourse. In August of the following year, it was agreed to build stands to accommodate spectators. In 1845, the earth from the digging of the Caen-Sea Canal was dumped in the Prairie to build the racecourse. On October 21, 1864, the Society for the Encouragement of the Improvement of the French Half-Blood Horse was created in Caen to regulate the trotting racing code for the whole of France. (https://www.letrot.com/hippodromes/caen/1400)

Ideal place for jogging

Caen, first mentioned in documents in 1027, experienced rapid urban development in the 11th century. It was called a burgus (bourg), was the centre of an extensive ducal domain, lay at the crossroads of important roads and had markets and a port. It first developed as an important city in the Duchy of Normandy under William the Conqueror. He had a strong fortress built in Caen and around 1059 an abbey for women (Abbaye aux dames) and one for men (Abbaye aux hommes), in which he was also buried. Later, during the Huguenot Wars (1562), his grave was destroyed and his bones were lost. William's gravestone can still be seen in the church today. He had the monasteries built to atone for his marriage to his cousin Mathilde, which was disapproved of by the Pope. Both monasteries are among the most important monuments in Normandy and are today – by the monks and nuns during the French Revolution

The former Benedictine abbey with the monastery church of Saint-Étienne was founded by William the Conqueror in Caen, built from 1060 onwards, but probably not completed until after 1090. From 1120/25 onwards, six-part cross-ribbed vaults were installed in the originally flat-roofed building, which are among the oldest in France.

Once Caen is behind you, you will find the Vélo Francette cycle route. Here it takes the greenway of Suisse Normande through beautiful natural landscapes along the Orne.