Château de Caen

The Château de Caen is a medieval fortress that occupies a rocky plateau in the centre of the Norman city, and its walls enclose an area large enough to hold two museums, a church and a park. William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who became King of England in 1066, began the fortress around 1060, and his son Henry I added the great keep and the Exchequer Hall in the twelfth century. The English and French fought over the castle for centuries, and Philip Augustus captured it from the English crown in 1204, after which Caen became part of the French kingdom.

The castle was damaged heavily during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, when much of Caen was destroyed, and was restored after the war. Its walls, towers and gatehouse survive well, and a walk along the ramparts rewards you with views over the roofs of the city and the Abbaye aux Hommes. Queen Matilda's Tower, named for William's wife, marks a corner of the walls. The Salle de l'Échiquier, the Exchequer Hall, is a large Romanesque hall that recalls the importance of the site as a seat of Norman power, while the small church of Saint-Georges lies within the walls.

Inside the walls, the Musée de Normandie occupies the old governor's lodging and presents the history of the region, from prehistoric times and the Roman era through the Middle Ages to the modern era, with archaeological finds, tools, costumes and everyday objects. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen has a separate building and shows European painting from the sixteenth century to the present day. Together they cover both local identity and art history in one visit. The grounds include a sculpture park, a wooded area, play spaces and a restaurant, so families can stay for several hours.

The grounds are open freely during the day, which makes it simple to walk in without a ticket, and the museums have their own admission rules. Check the current programme, because events, temporary exhibitions and renovation work can affect what is open.

The castle suits history enthusiasts, families with children, and those following the William the Conqueror trail through Normandy, which also includes the Abbaye aux Hommes and the Abbaye aux Dames. For visitors who want to understand the wartime story of the city, the nearby Mémorial de Caen is the place to go, and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a longer trip toward the coast.