Major city · France
Argentan
Half a day covers Argentan: lace museum, old centre, river walk. Sleep here only if you miss the last train to Caen or Alençon.
Argentan is a small Normandy town of about 13,900 people on the Caen–Le Mans road and rail line, best known for its lace museum. It works as a half-day stop between Caen and Alençon, or a one-night break if you want to see Falaise and the surrounding bocage without rushing. Check museum hours and Sunday train times before you commit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited opening hours)
- Airports
- Caen-Carpiquet (CFR) · Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Nights
- 0 (half-day stop; 1 night only if you miss the last train)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Argentan17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Argentan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyNormandy towns are generally safe; watch traffic on the main road and keep belongings secure in crowded areas.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCFR Caen-Carpiquet (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h by road).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in about 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee2026 estimate€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))2026 estimate€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry2026 estimate€6–10 (≈ US$7–12)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€55 (≈ US$65)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €40 (≈ US$50) · Mid €70 (≈ US$85) · High €100 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CFR Caen-Carpiquet (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h by road) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (About 2 h 30 min by road or rail via Le Mans)
Map of Argentan
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Argentan
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Falaise · 21 km straight line
- Alençon · 36 km straight line
- Lisieux · 48 km straight line
- Caen · 55 km straight line
- Sallenelles · 60 km straight line
- Ouistreham · 62 km straight line
- Vire · 65 km straight line
- Deauville · 69 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Argentan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in about 15 minutes end to end. Regional trains stop at Argentan station; local buses run infrequently, so a taxi or rental car helps for nearby villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min by train
Regional train from Argentan station
Larger market town with more museums; a short hop on the same rail line.
Falaise
cautionDoor to door: Check connections
Rail and bus via Caen
Check bus times; service is limited on Sundays.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre
Small guesthouses and B&Bs within walking distance of the lace museum; fine for one night if you miss the last train.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–60 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- €90 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × €55 | €55 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €40 | €40 |
| Museum of Argentan Lace entry1 × €6 · 2026 estimate | €6 |
| Regional train ticket (round-trip)1 × €12 · 2026 estimate | €12 |
| eSIM data (5 days)1 × €8 · 2026 estimate | €8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €12 |
| Trip total≈ €133 per person per day, bed included | €133≈ US$160 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in euros; transport and accommodation excluded. Defaults assume a half-day visit, so the bed line is a fallback for one night.
Prices of common things
| Coffee2026 estimate | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Croissant2026 estimate | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Baguette2026 estimate | €1 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entry2026 estimate | €6–10 (≈ US$7–12) |
| Taxi (5 km)2026 estimate | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check museum opening hours before visiting; they may be seasonal.
- Check train times: services may be reduced on Sundays.
- Lace museum entry is a few euros; confirm the current price on the official site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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ArgentanArgentan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Paris; French police stations in town can assist tourists.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Argentan ↔ Alençon train: ≈ €12 one-way, 30 min
- Taxi within town (5 km): ≈ €13–15
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (pardon)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (c'est combien)
- Où est le musée ? — Where is the museum? (où est le musée)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (je peux payer par carte)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (où sont les toilettes)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Argentan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited opening hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a museum-ticket bundle for the Museum of Argentan Lace.
- Provide a one-day regional train pass for the Orne department.
Sources
Ask about Argentan
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