Fun and entertainment Calvados

Experience a convivial moment! There's something for everyone here, from the youngest (3 years old) to the most experienced. Some are here to have fun, others are real pros. Oncle Scott's bowling alley in Mondeville features 22 lanes, a bar, billiards and video games. There's something for everyone, not just strike fans. And if you really can't find what you're looking for on the games front, just walk through the swing doors and head for the country-western world.

Like a great desire to breathe and get some fresh air? We found the perfect place for that, our second home... Well, almost! A few steps from Pont-l'Évêque, at Camille and Valentin's house. We loved the space outside, the retro decoration inside, the play corner for the children. Here, we have lunch of good small dishes with British colours, we take a tea in the afternoon and we enjoy the dinner bar in the evening. We loved the fact of thinking that we will go to test, one day, the organic, local and fair brunch on Sunday. We hated: to leave!

Josephine, what a nice name for a tea room! Anne-Laure and Laura, a very nice duo of pastry cooks, give it life, in the heart of downtown. Good and homemade! On the spot or to take away, you can come and taste savoury snacks at lunchtime (soup, gratin, quiche, respecting the seasons), delicacies for the afternoon, made according to the desires of the pastry cooks (cookies, cheesecake...) and on order more festive recipes for your events (number cake, layer cake, etc.). We have validated the pistachio-citrus tart!

Hey! Feeling like a Viking warrior? If so, you'd better check out this tavern, located far from almost everything. Here, axe and knife throwing are practised. In complete safety, of course, and over a beer, of course bis. Cocktails, shooters, roast camembert and aperitif boards give you strength. Sköll! The team often organises axe-throwing tournaments: what are you capable of? Just so you know, you're welcome to bring your own axes. A unique place, one of our new favourites!

Change of direction for the Comédie de Caen, with Aurore Fattier now in charge of the institution's development. The Comédie de Caen is LE 32 in Caen and the CDN in Hérouville. The latter houses a digital workshop for set and costume construction. It showcases both classic and contemporary works. Bonus: the shows aren't just for the well-heeled, and there are packages to suit everyone!

Our landmark address! Everything is gourmet in this stylish and refined tearoom. Nathalie and François offer a delightful menu, ideal from breakfast to snack time. We succumb to the house specialties, such as the apple puff pastry (Pont-l'Évêque, honey, browned potatoes, Serrano ham, and salad) or the crispy pastries. Nice selection of teas and coffees, unless you prefer an old-fashioned hot chocolate to accompany your sweets.

After the success of the Hydropathe, Jenny and Greg Dupin launched the adventure of the food bar. It's been three years since Balthazar (the name given to a bottle that can hold up to 12 liters!) was born and it's still great. In addition to aperitifs and tastings of vintages, you can also fill that little hole in your stomach from breakfast to dinner with fresh recipes in a modern and vegetal atmosphere. And what can we say about this terrace if not: we can't wait for the nice days to enjoy it!

The Cargö has very quickly become the place to be for fans of contemporary music. Its eclectic program, mixing regional, national and even international artists, reaches a demanding public. In 2023, Ziak and Lorenzo are on the bill. The large 1,000-seat hall guarantees memorable emotions, and the 400-seat club offers unique evenings. But the Cargö is also a Rock Info Center with a specialized documentary collection available for free consultation and two rehearsal studios.

Clairefontaine, of course! Inaugurated in 1928, this racecourse is known as the most flowery in France. On all the days of the meeting, it hosts all three disciplines: trotting, flat and jumps. Very clever: free behind-the-scenes tours of the racecourse on race mornings! Catering options range from snack bars to four trackside restaurants, including a "table gourmande". "More than a racetrack, a party track!"

It's so good to have a movie in one of the rare human-sized cinemas that still exist in our beautiful country! But who says small, does not say under-equipped: 285 places and 7 places for wheelchairs (which do not always exist in the multiplexes!), balcony of 92 places, comfort seats, Dolby Digital system, surround EX to THX standards (for the experts), all this in an atmosphere to the "Grand Rex" with blue night decoration and starry sky. The Royal has everything of a great one, the charm and the conviviality in more.

Always packed to the rafters, yet tucked away from the "thirsty streets", this Saint-Sauveur corner is starting to get a little more lively. With its super-friendly, relaxed atmosphere, trendy without being stuffy, it's a pleasure to settle in for a well-deserved afterwork. In the afternoon, the terrace is bathed in sunshine (Normandy has a reputation to uphold!). Upstairs, large wooden tables and mismatched chairs, or sofas and armchairs for those who prefer to lounge. At the bar, you'll find a fine selection of draught beers, cocktails, spirits and tasty snacks!

As far as we are concerned, we are far from the excessive multiplexes that are projecting only general public films, and show little interest in more intimate works. This 212-seat room allows you to rediscover the convivial atmosphere of the cinemas, and incidentally, to pass rainy days. Reasonable prices and organization of special evenings with debate.

Paulette's is on the move! Olivia and Greg (the managers of neighboring Le Comptoir) are now in charge of our Tata Chombier, so you might as well know that things are about to get a lot busier while retaining the soul that makes it so charming. Another house staple: the "chouteur". No fewer than thirty variations, each with a more evocative name than the last. Add to this a well-crafted selection of wines, draught beers and a regularly-changing beer of the moment, inventive cocktails (no hot drinks here)... This Paulette deserves more than a detour!

Steampunk atmosphere for this brand new bar specialized in cocktails! The Machinist takes you into an ultra original universe. Kévin and Robin have chosen a very immersive Jules Verne-like decor (the kraken of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is not far!). Under the lantern fish, you can sip homemade cocktails with or without alcohol, made with ingredients produced on the spot. The menu is frequently renewed, no time to get bored! All this while nibbling on a small appetizer board and learning about role playing games, great!

In the heart of the city is one of the most beautiful racecourses in France. Born from the land reclaimed during the creation of the Caen Canal to the sea, the site hosted its first race on 26 August 1837. The city then decided, in 1839, to create a permanent racecourse. Today, nearly thirty meetings are scheduled every year. The 1,954 m sand track, reputed to be very fast, and its long straight line of 450 m, make it a paradise for qualifying. The racecourse at La Prairie is said to be the antechamber of Paris-Vincennes!

The Zenith needs no introduction! Capable of hosting the biggest shows for all ages and tastes, it's a must-see. Inaugurated on June 19, 1993, its hall attracts 250,000 spectators a year, and can accommodate concerts and events from 900 to 7,000 people. In 2024, the classical masterpiece Swan Lake, Jeff Panacloc and M Pokora have already performed here, but Slimane, Patrick Bruel, Shaka Ponk and Gims are also sure to be in the spotlight. It's THE place for all artists and all genres!