A Travel Price Comparison for France Caen vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Caen or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Annecy. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a breathtaking, quaint, and storybook alpine town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Caen and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Annecy. Although Caen and Annecy are popular destinations, Annecy has more sights and attractions for tourists. Annecy is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Annecy is more touristy than Caen and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also well known for Palais de l'Isle. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Caen different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Caen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Caen or Annecy?

Caen is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Caen or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Annecy, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Caen and Annecy.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Annecy has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Annecy is one of the most recognized in the world. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Annecy?

Annecy is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very family-friendly destination. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Annecy is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen and Annecy are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Caen or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Caen has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Caen or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Annecy is very walkable. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Caen Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Caen?

How long in Caen or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Caen or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Caen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Caen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Caen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Caen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Annecy.

One day in Caen or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Caen or Annecy?

Caen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Caen or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This alpine town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Caen or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the important destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Because Annecy is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caen and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Caen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caen Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Annecy?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Caen or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Caen or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Annecy. Many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives less rain than Annecy. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Annecy. Many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Additionally, most visitors come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Caen is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Annecy because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Annecy can be very cold. Caen can be very cold during winter. Caen is a little warmer than Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Caen usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives more rain than Annecy. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Caen