Caen have been relegated from Ligue 1 after a 3-1 defeat at Valenciennes.
Vincent Aboubakar had an early chance for the hosts, but he could only flash his effort wide of the Caen goal.
Livio Nabab should have done better for the visitors midway through the half as his drive went wayward.
Despite missing an earlier opportunity, Aboubakar gave Valenciennes a half-time lead with his strike on 37 minutes.
Renaud Cohade nearly doubled his side's lead 10 minutes after the break, but a dogged Caen defence was able to scramble his header away.
However, it was 2-0 with 20 minutes to play when Gael Danic converted from the penalty spot following Thomas Heurtaux's foul on Remi Gomis.
Benjamin Nivet's goal gave Caen a lifeline with 13 minutes left, but their fate was sealed in the 88th minute as Cohade slotted home.
