Situated between land and sea, with beaches just 10 minutes away and 2 hours from Paris , on the Mont Saint-Michel road, Caen is a thriving and dynamic city offering a rare wealth of heritage and culture.
A ducal estate founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the city has retained through the ages the splendour and radiance desired by the Duke-King. Abbeys, a château then private houses, universities and other academies bear witness to the city's development over the centuries and following the terrible bombings of l944.
Rising from its ashes like a phoenix, the symbol of its university, Caen has also been able to preserve its magnificent architectural heritage, which emerged unscathed from World War II.
Enriched with 1000 years of history, the soul of the city is today found nestled in the ancient quarters of its centre and reveals itself to those who take the time to pause there. Narrow streets lined with lively shops, a marina right in the heart of the city and an array of parks and gardens that have long charmed experts are waiting to welcome you today.
THE MEN'S ABBEY
Built in 1063 by William the Conqueror, the Men’s Abbey contains the abbey church of Saint-Etienne as well as the monastery buildings which today house Caen City Hall.
On entering the abbey church of Saint Etienne, visitors will be fascinated by the harmony of this Romanesque and Gothic architectural gem. In the heart of the church, you can contemplate the tomb of William, its founder.
Restored in the 18th century, the monastery buildings display superb pale oak-panelled rooms that are decorated with 17th, 18th and 19th century paintings. A cloister, pressing room, refectory, scriptorium, and escalier des matines (stairway leading from the dormitories to the church), all still tell of the monks’ activities today.
THE LADIES' ABBEY
Founded by Matilda around 1060 and magnificently restored today, the Ladies’ Abbey includes both the abbey church dedicated to the Trinity and monastery buildings.
The abbey church of Saint Trinity is a masterpiece of Norman Romanesque architecture whose understated décor leaves an impression. Blending simplicity and light, this church contains the tomb of Queen Matilda as well as a superb crypt.
The 18th century monastery buildings were occupied by Benedictine nuns until the Revolution. Turned into a hospital and then a hospice, they are now home to the Lower Normandy Regional Council offices.
THE CHÂTEAU
Built in around 1060 to house Duke William’s residential palace, the Château of Caen remains one of the largest fortified enclosures in Europe.
It is behind these walls that William, surrounded by his barons, prepared to expel the traitor Harold from England. His conquest at Hastings in 1066 would give the future King of England the nickname "the Conqueror". The Exchequer Room bears the memory of feasts organised by the Duke Kings, descendants of William through to Richard the Lionheart.
However, through the centuries, the Château would gradually be swallowed up by the city, stifled by houses and forgotten by Caen inhabitants until the bombings in 1944...
In the heart of a destroyed quarter, the old medieval enclosure seemed to have sprung up from nowhere. It is the start of a new life...
LE MÉMORIAL DE CAEN, CITÉ DE L'HISTOIRE POUR LA PAIX
Visit Le Mémorial de Caen!
With friends or as a family, embark on this journey deep into the history of the 20th century, unique in Europe. Come and see two major films, previously unseen photographs, documents and objects along a trail of events that upturned the history of the European people.
Share hours of pure emotion that will change your outlook on the world today for good.
THE MUSEUM OF NORMANDY
The focus of this museum’s activities is the theme of historical Normandy. In the Governors’ logis in the Château of Caen, archaeological and ethnographical collections clearly illustrate the cultural development of humans all over Higher and Lower Normandy and the Anglo-Norman Isles through synthetic means. Visitors will learn about how these territories, united in the Middle Ages as part of the Duchy of Normandy, bathed in the same cultural currents and developed together with the rest of France.
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
The cradle of botany in Caen (presenting more than 3 centuries of history), this garden is a real plant museum exhibiting flora from Normandy, medicinal herbs, rockeries, exotic greenhouses and a whole array of horticultural plants.
The garden has a breeding centre for seven-spot ladybirds to help get rid of greenflies in the greenhouse and green spaces of the city. Part of the produce is also distributed to Caen residents and people in the region so that they can rid their own garden of them.
Caen is the first city in France to have launched a natural, effective and ecological approach to fighting this pest, thus proving that other methods do indeed exist apart from resorting to chemical treatment.
Caen tourist information centre
Place Saint-Pierre - 14 000 Caen
Tel: +33 (0)2 31 27 14 14
Website: www.tourisme.caen.fr
Email: tourisminfo@caen.fr
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