1000 years of History! To celebrate its Millennium, Caen has decided to go all out! Focusing not only on the history of the city of William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda of Flanders, but also on its heritage, its people and its artists, the Caen Millennium invites you to celebrate an historic anniversary.
Once upon a time in Caen…
It was in 1025, in the middle of the Middle Ages, that the name Cadomus (Caen in Latin) or its derivatives first appeared in official registers. At that time, Caen was nothing more than a market town on a rich landed estate, with a port and a market. Its strategic position at the confluence of the Orne and Odon rivers attracted William the Conqueror, who made it the capital of his duchy. He built his castle there from 1066, as well as the Abbaye aux Dames (Women’s Abbey)and the Abbaye aux Hommes (Men’s Abbey). From then on, Caen became a city of political and economic influence.
Party time in Caen!
To celebrate this historic anniversary and to link past, present and future, a series of events are planned throughout 2025. Six key events will take place between March and December:
- It all begins on 20 March with the inauguration of the castle, which reopens its doors after two years of restoration.
- This event will be followed by the Journées de l’Histoire (History Days) from 21 to 28 March, with the launch of an immersive show in the castle’s Salle de l’Échiquier des Ducs de Normandie, a listed building. For three days (21 to 23 March), visitors will also be able to stroll through the grounds of the Abbaye aux Dames (Women’s Abbey) in the heart of the reconstructed medieval village of Caen as it was 1,000 years ago.
- On 9 May, the Parade Opératique (Opera Parade) will wind its way through the heart of the city along a 5km route.
- From 27 to 29 June, the sea will join in the celebrations with a maritime weekend: 48 boats (as many as there are municipalities in the Caen la Mer urban area) will be moored in the port and on the Quai de Normandie, there will be a maritime parade, monumental works of art and numerous events organised by the canal and nautical industries.
- From 19 to 21 September, the Aquanauts show by Swedish company Cirkus Cirkor will light up the harbour.
- Finally, from 10 to 21 December, this extraordinary anniversary will be rounded off in the city centre with a trail of illuminated works highlighting the city’s rich heritage and its designation by UNESCO as a ‘Creative City for the Digital Arts’ in October 2023.
Caen: an exceptional heritage
In addition to these six highlights, the city will be transformed into an open-air museum throughout the season, with an urban art trail. In all, the works of around fifty contemporary artists will adorn Caen and its urban area. So keep your eyes open and get ready to be surprised.
And to celebrate in style and pay tribute to the people of Caen, past and present, many other events will take place throughout the year under the banner of ‘Millénaire Caen 2025’. Are you ready to celebrate the city? See you there!
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