A Travel Price Comparison for France Versailles vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Versailles or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or Caen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Versailles

Versailles is a historic, extensive, and beautiful palace. Versailles is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums. See Versailles travel costs.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums. See Caen travel costs.

Versailles and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Caen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Caen than Versailles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Caen is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Versailles is known for its museums and attractions and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Caen and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge.

How is Versailles different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Versailles is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Versailles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Caen is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Caen is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Versailles specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip from Paris, but those who linger can grab a drink at a pub or bar.

Is Versailles or Caen More Beautiful?

Versailles is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Versailles is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The Palace of Versailles is famous for its grand beauty and opulent setting.

Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Versailles or Caen Better for Families?

Caen is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Caen offers lots of family activities. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or Caen Better for Couples?

Versailles is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Versailles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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 Versailles or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles and Caen both offer great public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Versailles. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Versailles or Caen a more walkable city?

Versailles 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.

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Caen?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Versailles 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 Versailles or Caen?

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

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Caen, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Versailles or Caen?

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Caen, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Versailles or Caen?

You'll find museums around the opulent destination of Versailles. This palace offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or Caen?

The ornate palace of Versailles offers 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.

Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Versailles and Caen, we can see that Versailles 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive? and Is Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Versailles 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 Versailles 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 Versailles or Caen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Caen. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Versailles is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Versailles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Versailles usually receives more rain than Caen. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Versailles or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Caen. Many visitors come to Versailles in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Versailles is around the same temperature as Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Versailles in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Versailles gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Caen in the Winter?

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

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Versailles can be very cold during winter. In January, Versailles is generally around the same temperature as Caen. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 5°C (40°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Versailles usually receives less rain than Caen. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Versailles or Caen in the Spring?

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

Versailles is a little warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Versailles