Discovering Calvados (Department 14)
Updated: Aug 20
Introduction
Calvados, in the heart of Normandy, is one of France's most recognisable departments thanks to its beautiful coastline, rich history and world-famous apple brandy. Stretching from the English Channel beaches to rolling countryside and charming market towns, Calvados offers a lifestyle that combines rural tranquillity with excellent facilities and easy access to both Paris and the UK.
Whether you're considering moving to France permanently, retiring abroad, buying a second home or running a business, Calvados has broad appeal. Its mix of coastal resorts, historic towns, productive farmland and vibrant cities means there's something for many different lifestyles.
Calvados (Department 14) At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Normandy |
Historic name | Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie) |
Department number | 14 |
Department capital | Caen |
Largest towns | Caen, Lisieux, Bayeux, Vire Normandie, Honfleur, Hérouville-Saint-Clair |
Population | Approximately 710,000 |
Area | Around 5,550 km² |
Climate | Mild oceanic climate with cool winters and comfortable summers |
Best suited for | Retirees, families, professionals, second-home owners, history lovers |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, particularly outside the main towns |
English-speaking community | Well established, especially around the coast and rural villages |
Lifestyle summary | Relaxed, historic, coastal and rural with excellent services |
Calvados (Department 14) Why Choose Calvados?
Calvados offers one of the most balanced lifestyles in northern France. It combines historic cities, attractive countryside, dramatic coastline and excellent infrastructure without the congestion of larger metropolitan areas.
Lifestyle
Life moves at a comfortable pace. Residents enjoy traditional markets, cafés, seaside walks, cycling routes and a strong sense of local identity. There is enough activity to keep life interesting without feeling hectic.
Community
The department has long been popular with British, Irish and other international residents. Many villages have welcoming community groups, language exchanges and local associations, making integration easier while still encouraging newcomers to become part of French life.
Scenery
The landscapes vary considerably:
Long sandy beaches
The famous D-Day coastline
Apple orchards
Rolling farmland
Traditional Norman villages
Forests and river valleys
Elegant harbours
This variety makes Calvados attractive throughout the year.
Accessibility
One of Calvados' biggest advantages is accessibility.
Ferry connections to England nearby
Good motorway network
Fast rail services to Paris
Regional airports
Easy travel throughout Normandy
For those maintaining links with the UK, travel is generally straightforward.
Food
Normandy is renowned for its cuisine.
Expect to enjoy:
Camembert cheese
Livarot cheese
Pont-l'Évêque cheese
Fresh seafood
Mussels
Oysters
Cream-based dishes
Apples
Cider
Calvados brandy
Food quality is consistently excellent.
Culture
History is woven into everyday life.
Highlights include:
William the Conqueror's legacy
Medieval towns
Bayeux Tapestry
D-Day heritage
Historic churches
Traditional Norman architecture
Local festivals
Agricultural traditions
Property
Property options include:
Character farmhouses
Stone cottages
Coastal apartments
Village homes
Country estates
Modern family houses
Prices generally remain more affordable than many parts of southern France, although coastal hotspots command premium prices.
Pace of Life
Calvados strikes a pleasant balance between convenience and relaxation. Cities provide employment and services, while rural communities offer peaceful living with good local amenities.
Calvados (Department 14)Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent healthcare, peaceful surroundings and strong amenities. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good schools, safe communities and varied leisure activities. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Easy UK access and year-round appeal. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Tourism, agriculture, food and digital businesses all offer opportunities. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Reliable internet in most areas and easy Paris connections. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Beaches, cycling, walking, sailing and countryside. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Caen provides urban facilities without being overwhelming. |
Popular Places to Live
Caen
Description
A lively university city offering modern facilities alongside impressive historic landmarks.
Ideal for
Professionals
Families
Students
Remote workers
Advantages
Excellent healthcare
Shopping
Public transport
Universities
Cultural life
Things to consider
Traffic can be busier than elsewhere in the department.
Bayeux
Description
A beautiful medieval town famous for the Bayeux Tapestry and historic centre.
Ideal for
Retirees
History enthusiasts
Second-home owners
Advantages
Attractive centre
Good amenities
Strong tourism economy
Things to consider
Busy during peak tourist season.
Honfleur
Description
One of Normandy's most picturesque harbour towns.
Ideal for
Artists
Retirees
Holiday homeowners
Advantages
Stunning harbour
Excellent restaurants
Coastal atmosphere
Things to consider
Higher property prices and seasonal visitor numbers.
Lisieux
Description
A traditional Norman town known for its religious heritage.
Ideal for
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Affordable housing
Good shopping
Central location
Things to consider
Quieter social scene than Caen.
Deauville
Description
A prestigious seaside resort famous for beaches, horse racing and elegant architecture.
Ideal for
Luxury second-home owners
Professionals
Advantages
Excellent amenities
Beautiful coastline
High-quality restaurants
Things to consider
Among the department's most expensive property markets.
Trouville-sur-Mer
Description
A traditional fishing town with a relaxed coastal feel.
Ideal for
Couples
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Seafood
Sandy beaches
Walkable centre
Things to consider
Busy during summer holidays.
Vire Normandie
Description
A thriving inland market town surrounded by rolling countryside.
Ideal for
Rural living
Families
Entrepreneurs
Advantages
Lower property prices
Good community spirit
Central location
Things to consider
Car ownership is almost essential.
Cost of Living
Compared with many popular French regions, Calvados offers good overall value.
Property affordability
Property prices vary considerably. Coastal towns such as Deauville and Honfleur are among Normandy's most expensive, while inland villages and market towns remain relatively affordable with a wide choice of traditional homes.
Shopping
Supermarkets are plentiful, while weekly markets provide fresh local produce. Everyday groceries are generally good value, especially when buying seasonal products.
Utilities
Energy costs are similar to those across much of France. Older Norman stone properties may require additional heating during winter, making insulation an important consideration when purchasing.
Eating out
There is an excellent range of restaurants from traditional bistros to fine dining. Lunch menus often offer particularly good value.
General value for money
Calvados offers a high quality of life relative to its overall living costs, particularly when compared with Paris or much of southern France.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is excellent throughout the department.
Main hospitals
Major hospitals include:
Caen University Hospital
Bayeux Hospital
Lisieux Hospital
Vire Hospital
Healthcare availability
Most residents have reasonable access to GPs, dentists and pharmacies, although rural areas may experience longer waiting times for appointments.
Access to specialists
Caen serves as the department's principal medical centre with a comprehensive range of specialist services.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are widely available in towns and many larger villages, with emergency rotas operating outside normal hours.
General healthcare considerations
Registering promptly with both a GP and the French healthcare system is advisable after moving.
Education
Families relocating to Calvados have a wide range of educational options.
Schools
State primary and secondary schools are available across the department, alongside independent schools.
Colleges
Caen is an important higher education centre, with vocational colleges and further education institutions throughout the department.
International options
There are bilingual and international educational opportunities within Normandy, particularly around Caen and nearby regions.
Language schools
French language courses for adults are available through local associations, universities and private language schools.
Getting Around
Airports
Nearby airports include:
Caen-Carpiquet Airport
Deauville-Normandie Airport
Larger international airports can also be reached within a few hours.
Rail
Regular train services connect Caen, Lisieux and Bayeux with Paris and other major French cities.
Roads
Excellent motorway links include the A13 connecting Normandy with Paris.
Public transport
Urban bus services operate in larger towns, while regional buses connect many smaller communities.
Is a car recommended?
Yes. A car offers much greater flexibility, particularly in rural areas where public transport is less frequent.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Caen | Sunday |
Bayeux | Saturday |
Lisieux | Saturday |
Honfleur | Saturday |
Vire Normandie | Friday |
Deauville | Saturday |
Trouville-sur-Mer | Wednesday & Sunday |
Local Food & Drink
Calvados is one of France's finest food-producing regions.
Specialities include:
Calvados apple brandy
Normandy cider
Pommeau
Camembert
Livarot
Pont-l'Évêque
Teurgoule (rice pudding)
Tripes à la mode de Caen
Fresh cream
Butter
Seafood
Oysters
Mussels
Apples
Caramel products
Things to Do
There is no shortage of activities throughout the year.
Historic sites
D-Day Landing Beaches
Bayeux Cathedral
Bayeux Tapestry
William the Conqueror's Castle in Caen
Numerous abbeys and châteaux
Outdoor activities
Coastal walking
Cycling
Horse riding
Sailing
Golf
Fishing
Canoeing
Museums
Memorial Museum in Caen
D-Day museums
Art museums
Maritime museums
Festivals
Normandy food festivals
Horse events
Music festivals
Maritime celebrations
Christmas markets
Nature
Suisse Normande
Coastal cliffs
Nature reserves
River valleys
Beaches
Family attractions
Zoos
Adventure parks
Beaches
Aquarium visits
Historic experiences
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
Learning French will greatly improve daily life and help build relationships within the community.
Rural living
Many villages offer peaceful surroundings, but shopping and services may require driving.
Internet
High-speed broadband continues to improve, with fibre available in many towns and an increasing number of rural communities.
Seasonal tourism
Coastal resorts become considerably busier during summer, while inland areas remain relatively peaceful year-round.
Climate
Expect mild temperatures with regular rainfall. Winters are generally less severe than inland France, while summers are pleasant rather than excessively hot.
Community life
Local clubs, sports associations, cultural groups and village events provide excellent opportunities to integrate into French life.
Useful Biz Où? Guides
If you're considering living in Calvados, these additional Biz Où? guides may also be helpful:
Buying a Home in France
Retiring to France
Second Home in France
Starting a Business in France
Healthcare in France
Tax in France
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living in Calvados, moving to Calvados, retiring in Calvados or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across Dordogne, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more. Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
Search for a Business in Calvados (Department 14)
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