làThe place to beUnusual🍁 Fall Posted on 30.10.2025
When the October mist envelops the cobbled streets, Caen-la-Mer takes on an air of mystery. Between ghosts, underground passages, and legends, set off to discover the strangest stories of our region. Will you dare to explore them?
The Hotel d’Escoville and its ghost
A symbol of the Renaissance in Caen, the Hôtel d’Escoville is said to be haunted by the wandering spirit of its late owner, Nicolas Levallois D’Escoville, who collapsed during a banquet held at his mansion. Some visitors claim to have seen his silhouette at the window at dusk… An unmissable stop for lovers of paranormal phenomena.
The black masses of Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux Church
A majestic ruin by day, a place of legends by night. Rumours speak of ancient black masses celebrated in the shadows of the Church of Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux. Disused since 1793, a traveller is said to have seen light and heard prayers in an unknown language there. So is it a mystical place or just an urban legend?
The White Lady of the Côte de Nacre ( Pearl Coast )
Many motorists report seeing a woman dressed in white at the Côte de Nacre roundabout heading towards Douvres-la-Délivrande. A benevolent apparition or an ominous sign? A word of advice: don’t pick up this woman dressed in white who asks for a ride to Luc-sur-mer!
The secret underground passages of Caen Castle
Beneath William the Conqueror’s castle lies a network of forgotten tunnels. Legend has it that they connect Caen Castle to Creully Castle. But the tunnels known to date are not long enough to reach that far: they connect the Porte des Champs gate to the heart of the castle. Were these tunnels used for escape, imprisonment, or to hide treasures? The mysteries of Caen’s underground continue to fascinate.
Superstitions of sailors in Ouistreham
At the fishing port, the sailors of Ouistreham still uphold certain superstitions: never whistle on board, avoid embarking or saying the word “rabbit,” and avoid departures on Fridays. These are ancient traditions that are still respected by the most cautious.
The fantastic animals of Normandy
The Varou, a Norman werewolf, and the Piterne, a nocturnal creature of misfortune, are part of regional folklore. The elders used to say that you should never look the Piterne in the eyes, or you would fall ill or lose your mind. These imaginary creatures still haunt the tales and winter evenings of Normandy.
The dormant cemeteries
Winding along old paths, between moss-covered stones and leaning crosses, these ancient cemeteries of Caen seem frozen in time. Poetry, silence, and mystery blend beautifully in a mystical atmosphere.
The Mystery of Montmorency Street
In 1897, residents of Rue Montmorency in Caen witnessed an unexplained phenomenon: a shower of stones falling from the sky for no apparent reason. This sinister episode made headlines in the Caen press.
The dungeons of the Abbaye aux Dames
Beneath the abbey founded by Matilda, silent dungeons bear witness to a darker past. In one part of the cellars, three prison cells were built in the 19th century. The walls still whisper the secrets of the inmates locked away in these forgotten places.
The Villa in Lion-sur-Mer, abandoned beauty
Facing the sea, this mysterious villa intrigues passers-by. Somewhere between romanticism and ruin, its ghostly appearance has fueled local legends for decades. But is it really abandoned?
We like
- Exploring the mysteries of Caen la Mer with family and friends in search of thrills
- Getting swept away by tales of yesteryear, combining heritage, folklore, and imagination
- (Re)discovering Normandy in a different light, between legends and witchcraft
