Caen is just 10 km from the English Channel. Napoleon III had a canal built to link the city to the sea. It is a popular commercial harbour and pleasure marina. A ferry line across the Channel links it with Portsmouth.

Caen's history is closely related to the numerous military operations that took place in Normandy from the time of William the Conqueror through the Hundred Years' War to World War II.

 William of Normandy, better known as William the Conqueror or William I of England, defeated the rebellious Norman nobles at Caen in 1047, securing his control of Normandy. He was buried at the church of St Stephen in Caen in 1087.

In 1346 the English King Edward III led an army against Caen, the richest town in Normandy at that time. The English sacked the city and killed some 3,000 citizens but failed to take the castle.

From June to July 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Caen was the site of fierce fighting and was nearly razed to the ground.

The city's architectural landmarks include the castle and two abbeys: Men's Abbey and Women's Abbey. They were all built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

The castle is one of Western Europe's largest medieval fortresses. It is built of Caen's famous limestone and saw magnificent royal celebrations of the English court, bringing together up to a thousand knights. Today the castle serves as a museum.