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The city of Caen is the capital of Lower Normandy. Almost all of the city has been rebuilt after a two-month battle in 1944 left little standing. Caen was the favourite city of William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda, who respectively founded the two great abbeys for men (picture) and women. These are built of the yellow Caen sandstone, which was also exported to decorate many of England's cathedrals. The abbeys and the Castle house several important chapels, museums and art galleries. The spectacular chateau of Fontaine-Henry is also near Caen.
Fittingly, Caen was chosen as the location for the very impressive "Museum of Peace" built as a memorial to the soldiers and civilians who died during the Battle of Normandy. War cemeteries and other important memorials are found in many villages around the city.
Caen's harbour at Ouistreham is one of the busiest ferry ports in the north of France. |
