Major city · France
Vire
Half a day is enough to see the medieval gates and walk the ramparts; use Vire as a lunch stop between Caen and Mont-Saint-Michel, not a base.
Vire is a small market town in Calvados, rebuilt after WWII. Its 12th-century fortifications (Porte Horloge, Tour aux Raines) survive, and the town is a practical stop on the A84 between Caen and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors spend 2–4 hours here, then move on.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, many places close early)
- Airport
- CFR
- Nights
- 0
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 Vire17 ▾
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 Vire, 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
- SafetyVire is a safe small town.
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 European 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 Airport (50 km (31 mi) from Vire; about 40 min by car).CFR Caen Carpiquet Airport (31 mi (50 km) from Vire; about 40 min by car).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4)
- BeerBeer (draught)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Metro or bus rideBus Caen–Vire (one way)€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedDouble room in a hotel, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hotel, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a hotel, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
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 Airport (50 km (31 mi) from Vire; about 40 min by car)CFR Caen Carpiquet Airport (31 mi (50 km) from Vire; about 40 min by car)
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
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Vire: 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)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 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 town centre is compact and walkable. For the ramparts and gates, you need no transport. A car is useful for the surrounding countryside.
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 1 h
Bus line 32 (Les Bus Verts) or car via A84, about 45 min
Caen has the Abbaye aux Hommes, the Mémorial museum and good restaurants.
Mont-Saint-Michel
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car via A84 and D976, about 1 h 15 min
A full-day trip; check tide times before you go.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via A84 and N13, about 50 min
Bayeux Tapestry and the cathedral; combine with the D-Day beaches.
Door to door: About 40 min
Car via D511, about 30 min
William the Conqueror's castle; half a day is enough.
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.
Town centre
Walkable to the fortifications and restaurants; limited options.
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
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hotel1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Lunch menu (La Table Viroise)2 × €18 · check | €36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €34 |
| Trip total≈ €185 per person per day, bed included | €370≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Lunch menu (La Table Viroise) | €18 (≈ US$25) |
| Beer (draught) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| 5 km taxi | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
| Bus Caen–Vire (one way) | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many shops and restaurants close on Sunday and Monday.
- The tourist office hours vary by season; check ahead.
- Parking in the centre can be tight; use the free lot near the station.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VireVire
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Paris; the nearest consulate is in Rennes (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Caen–Vire (line 32): about €5–8 (≈ US$6–10), about 45 min (check)
- Taxi from Vire centre to the station: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-kyoo-zay mwah)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-let)
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 Vire. 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 Nov–Feb (cold, many places close early) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the fortifications (Porte Horloge, Tour aux Raines) with verified opening hours.
- Eat page for La Table Viroise with last orders.
- Day-trip pages to Caen, Bayeux, Falaise and Mont-Saint-Michel with door-to-door times.
Sources
Ask about Vire
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