
You’re done with Paris! The thing is though, you still can’t decide between the seaside, countryside and friendly towns… You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, you can have all three in Calvados! Even more. The département brings together a vibrant economy, buzzing cultural scene, leisure activities galore and affordable house prices all just two hours from the capital. The outstanding quality of life here has made it a popular place to live: more and more people make the move to Calvados every year.
Reconnect with nature without disconnecting from the world
Top 5 reasons to move to Calvados

01
Experience the best
Natural and leafy spaces, sandy beaches, historical gems, magical towns… The grass is greener here.

02
Pamper yourself
Sports, spas and great eateries: you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to treating yourself and your loved ones in Calvados.

03
Enjoy the luxury of time
Commute times here are no more than 30 minutes on average with easier travel and closer facilities. It’s time for some me-time.

04
Live comfortably in every way
With average house prices at 2629 €/m2 and rentals at 11€/m2, it’s nothing like the cost of living in the capital (10,000 €/m2 and 30€/m2 respectively).

05
Indulge guilt-free
Farmers’ markets, fish markets, local produce and more give you a feast for all the senses!
Change your life with your eyes closed
Starting a new chapter is great, but you can’t do it with a click of your fingers. You want everything to be ready before you start packing up. We’ve got your back with several services to help you settle in!

Save time with Accueil Install’Calvados. This free service makes the moving process easier and puts you in touch with the right people.
What not to miss in Calvados
Historical towns, nature areas, sea resorts: there are many sides to Calvados!
Honfleur and its vieux bassin
Visitors can’t get enough of Honfleur with its harbour (Vieux Bassin), pretty streets and museums. If you’re more couture than culture, visit Honfleur Normandy Outlet and its 13,000m2 of stores.
Caen and its Mémorial
The past (château, abbeys) and present (Artothèque art gallery, Tocqueville library, Le Cargo music venue) join forces in the buzzing Normandy capital. Its iconic Memorial is a must-visit in itself.
Bayeux and its tapestry
A medieval atmosphere reigns over the town’s little lanes, cathedral and half-timbered houses. The UNESCO-listed tapestry, an 11th century embroidery telling the tale of William the Conqueror, is no different…
Lisieux and its basilica
Lisieux is France’s second biggest pilgrimage town (after Lourdes) and is world famous for Saint Thérèse who was canonised in 1925. The basilica built in her honour is listed as a Monument Historique. Its size and relics are quite something.
D-Day Beaches and American cemetery
Four of the five D-Day beaches lie in Calvados. The American cemetery stands above Omaha Beach. The rows of tombs and silence weigh on visitors as they remember and pay their respects.

Working in Calvados, the world is your oyster
Are you planning to move to Calvados but wondering if you or your partner will find work? Rest easy, Calvados has a vibrant economy fuelled by ten sectors (horses, tourism, logistics, water sports, digital, healthcare, aeronautics, automobile, service industries etc.). Employers in the département were looking to hire over 30,000 positions in 2023.



The most exciting sectors
The horse industry
When it comes to horses, Calvados wins hands down. As the leading département for breeding, equine research and pure breeds, it’s home to the Conseil du Cheval de Normandie (Normandy Horse Council), Hippolia business cluster and major facilities. Companies and professionals involved with horses are in the perfect place to take their career from strength to strength.
Tourism
Tourism is integral to the local economy with 15,000 jobs and 1 billion euros in turnover. Visitor and leisure attractions, hotel groups (Barrière, Thalazur etc.) and restaurants hire staff every season.
Farming and the food industry
Calvados needs no introduction when it comes to farming and the food industry (6200 farms, 1000 food companies and 25,000 employees). The area is home to factories owned by major brands (Danone, Nestlé, Labeyrie) and cooperatives such as Agrial with its HO in Caen. Local businesses have also made a name for themselves i.e. Fromagerie Livarot, Normandise and Les Champignons de Normandie.
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
The healthcare sector is a major employer with 12 public hospitals (inc. Caen CHU), 8 private clinics, 32 health centres and well-known pharmaceutical companies (Sanofi, Laboratoires Gilbert, Farmaclair). The most in-demand positions include carers, nurses, hospital housekeepers and doctors.
Study in Calvados, a prime location in Normandy
Quality education, affordable accommodation, a wide range of activities and buzzing student life: up to 40,000 students flock to Calvados every year. Caen’s university and grandes écoles (higher education institutions) make it a hotspot for students.

What’s on

D-Day anniversary
June
Commemorations, D-Day Festival, fireworks: Calvados pays tribute to the people that fought for it every year. See you in 2024 for the 80th D-Day anniversary

September 2024
The festival has hosted the biggest stars since 1975 and celebrates American film in all its forms, from blockbusters to indie movies.

Les journées romantiques Cabourg
June 2024
Romantic film festival: 5-day festival screening romantic films indoors and outdoors…

October 2024
Ten prizes are awarded to journalists who put their lives in danger for their work after a week-long conference with the general public.

July
This 5-day pop/rock festival is one of the top 20 biggest music festivals in France with up to 150,000 attendees in 2023.
Top stories in Calvados
How the general public supports bioplastics research in Normandy