Museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen
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The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen is one of France's most important regional fine arts museums, located within the historic Château de Caen. Founded in 1801, its collection was largely destroyed during the Battle of Caen in 1944, but the museum was rebuilt and reopened in 1971. Today, it boasts an impressive array of European paintings, sculptures, and prints, with particular strengths in Italian and French works from the 16th to 18th centuries, including pieces by Perugino, Veronese, and Poussin. The museum also has a notable collection of 19th-century French art and a print room with over 50,000 works. The modern building is integrated into the castle's ramparts, offering views over the city. Visitors can enjoy a spacious layout that allows for a comfortable exploration of art history.
Don't miss
- Italian Renaissance paintings, including works by Perugino and Veronese
- French 17th-century paintings by Nicolas Poussin and Simon Vouet
- 19th-century works by Eugène Boudin and Gustave Courbet
- Print room with works by Dürer, Rembrandt, and Goya
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inParis: Orsay Museum Daily Entry Ticket4.3★ · 815 travelers2–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$23 per personSee dates →
Best full dayMémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites4.7★ · 284 travelers~7 hoursFrom$223 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleThe History of Impressionism: Paris Musée d’Orsay Private Tour5★ · 18 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$250 per personSee dates →More attractions in Caen