Caen is a port city just inland from the English Channel, known for its circa-1060 hilltop Castle flanked by two historic abbeys. We’ve put together three terrific running routes in Caen, which are adjacent and can be combined.
Caen Castle: M.Strīķis
Caen ‘Runseeing’ Tour. This 10k route hits Caen’s historic highlights. Start at the Marina (Port de Plaisance), where you’ll run along the water and by the Alexis de Tocqueville library, then east along Rue Manissier to do a 1 km loop around the lovely grounds of the Abbaye aux Dames de Caen. Then, take the hill up to the Caen Castle. Run through the Castle/Fine Arts Museum grounds, and continue north through the the paths around Caen University Normandy. Then take Rue Père Sanson to do a loop on paths through two lovely parks: Les Coteaux des Sablons and Vallée des jardins, with its flower gardens & arboretum. Head south on R. Desmoueux, and RIGHT on Fossés St Julien, to a large square with the spectacular L’Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Mairie de Caen, and other historic buildings. For the return, take the main, mainly pedestrian-only R. Ecuyere/St. Pierer through the historic center of Caen, and RIGHT on Av. de Six Juin back to the marina.
Waterfront Running. There are two options that can be combined. Starting from the Marina, a nice path runs alongside the Orne River for 3.5 km. Or, run on the gravel path alongside the Canal de Caen a la Mer, the canal that heads northeast to the sea. It’s up to 15 km one-way, so choose your distance! There are water views the whole way.
Caen is a port city just inland from the English Channel, known for its circa-1060 hilltop Castle flanked by two historic abbeys. We’ve put together three terrific running routes in Caen, which are adjacent and can be combined.
Caen Castle: M.Strīķis
Caen ‘Runseeing’ Tour. This 10k route hits Caen’s historic highlights. Start at the Marina (Port de Plaisance), where you’ll run along the water and by the Alexis de Tocqueville library, then east along Rue Manissier to do a 1 km loop around the lovely grounds of the Abbaye aux Dames de Caen. Then, take the hill up to the Caen Castle. Run through the Castle/Fine Arts Museum grounds, and continue north through the the paths around Caen University Normandy. Then take Rue Père Sanson to do a loop on paths through two lovely parks: Les Coteaux des Sablons and Vallée des jardins, with its flower gardens & arboretum. Head south on R. Desmoueux, and RIGHT on Fossés St Julien, to a large square with the spectacular L’Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Mairie de Caen, and other historic buildings. For the return, take the main, mainly pedestrian-only R. Ecuyere/St. Pierer through the historic center of Caen, and RIGHT on Av. de Six Juin back to the marina.
Waterfront Running. There are two options that can be combined. Starting from the Marina, a nice path runs alongside the Orne River for 3.5 km. Or, run on the gravel path alongside the Canal de Caen a la Mer, the canal that heads northeast to the sea. It’s up to 15 km one-way, so choose your distance! There are water views the whole way.
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Essentials
Runseeing Tour: 10.2 km (6.4 miles); Orne River Path: 3.5 km one-way; Canal de Caen a la Mer: Up to 14.6 km one-way
Runseeing Tour: 75m (237 feet); River/Canal paths are fairly flat
Running on the road approaching Mont Saint-Michel is a memorable experience. Fantastic views of the Abbey of Saint-Michel and surrounding coastal plain. Can add coastal spots around the Mont at low tide. Additional paths along the Couesnon River.
A great run with lots of variety in this historic, fortified town: Old Port & jetty, headland, medieval Upper Town, and beach/waterfront promenade. Hills, views, scenery & history! Running track off Rue de Roc.
Good running options at this historic site. Omaha Beach itself is very runnable, 8+ km. There's also a 3.4 km beachfront path, scenic cycle paths headed west & east of the beach, and quiet, interior 'hedgerow' roads.
The best running options in Bayeux are just outside of town: Vélo routes through the quiet Norman countryside; a cycle path along the D6; and in Port-En-Bessin and a beautiful path headed west toward Colleville-sur-Mer.
Lovely countryside in the Orne Valley. Best running option is to choose a section of the Vois Verte de la Suisse Normande, a multi-use path that runs from just south of Caen to Thury-Harcourt, following the Orne. Rolling hills, forests, open spaces.
Run the grounds of the most spectacular château in Normandy, located 14 km from Caen. One can do 3-4 km on paths around the Château's forests and gardens, or a longer tour that includes the Mue Valley's lovely landscape and the Château de Thaon.
Great running in this upscale seaside resort. Two great routes that can be run separately or combined are the 3 km promenade along Deauville Beach and a loop around Port-Deauville, including riverside paths and a promenade along Trouville Beach.
Lovely running in this charming town where the Seine meets the Channel. There's 12 km of riverfront paths, and paths around the picturesque harbor. Honfleur Beach is also great for running. Can also run across the Normandy Bridge to Le Havre!
An enjoyable 'runseeing' tour of France's second-largest port city, including the lighthouse, 2.5 km seafront promenade, paths around the port, and a jaunt through the city center. Can also run across the Normandy Bridge to Honfleur.
Running along the bluff of the white limestone cliffs of Étretat is one of the great running experiences in Normandy. Open windswept landscape, with dramatic views of the sea, the cliffs, and fields. The easier direction is headed east.
Nice running in this popular seaside resort. One can do a ~7 km waterfront run around the marina and along a beach promenade. There's also a nice run on the Promenade de Cap Fenet, which can be done separately or combined with the waterfront route.
A terrific 'runseeing' tour of this port and seaside resort city. Includes path along the marina, 1.5 km seafront promenade, the Château de Dieppe, and a jaunt through the city center.
Rouen is well-known for its picturesque old town, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Museum of Fine Arts. The best place to run is on paths along the Seine River. Up to 8 km between the Gustave-Flaubert Bridge and the Pierre Corneille Bridge.
The folks at Rouen Tourism have mapped two scenic routes incorporating historic manors and castles near Rouen, including some sections along the Seine and in the agricultural countryside.
Use this as an overview of Normandy's four huge regional parks. Those that are closest to our coastal routes are Boucles de la Seine and Marais du Cotentin et du Bessi. Vast opportunities for running on quiet rural roads, hiking trails, and cycle paths.
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Essentials
Runseeing Tour: 10.2 km (6.4 miles); Orne River Path: 3.5 km one-way; Canal de Caen a la Mer: Up to 14.6 km one-way
Runseeing Tour: 75m (237 feet); River/Canal paths are fairly flat
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!