A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Caen?

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 Saint-Etienne and Caen. 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

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.

Saint-Etienne and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Caen than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Caen is very popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Caen is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also well known for Pegasus Bridge. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Caen is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Caen is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Caen has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint-Etienne and Caen.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Saint-Etienne is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Caen are nice family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen Better for Couples?

Caen is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

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

Public transit in Caen can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Caen a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne and Caen are nice when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Caen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Caen or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Caen than in Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Saint-Etienne 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 Caen.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Caen. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the important destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Caen?

The authentic city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Caen. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Caen, we can see that Caen is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Caen?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Caen, 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 Saint-Etienne or Caen?

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 Saint-Etienne or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Caen. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In July, Saint-Etienne is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

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

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

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Caen. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In the winter, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Saint-Etienne is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Saint-Etienne