Caen is a city in northwestern France. It is the préfecture (administrative capital) of the département of Calvados, and the capital of the administrative region of Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy). Population 115,000.

During the end-game of World War II in the wake of the Normandy landings, Caen was the scene of intense combat between Allied and Axis forces with British and Canadian taking the city on July 9, 1944.

Universities include:

• Université de Caen