"Capitol of Basse Normandie, risen from the ruins" Caen by Pavlik_NL

Caen Travel Guide: 142 reviews and 374 photos

Abbaye des l'Hommes, the men's abbey - Caen
Abbaye des l'Hommes, the men's abbey
Historical centre of Basse-Normandie

Caen has seen it's troubles in the world and yet, walking around this capitol of Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) you hardly notice that. The city is full of monumental historical buildings and breaths an ancient atmosphere. Already in Roman times, Caen was an important regional centre. With the birth of the Viking colonie Normandy it's importance grew, as it became the capitol of this land. Here the duke of Normandy, among them the famous William the Conqueror, found their home in the robust castle that still determines a part of the city.

Caen, twice from capitol to ruins to capitol again
The castle withstood all violence around it - Caen

The castle withstood all violence around it

Already in 1346 the town saw it's first misfortune, when King Edward the Third decided to make a profit by plundering the town. At that moment Caen was the largest and richest Normandian town and got out of the battle a wrecked, plundered and burned town. Many thousand of it's citizens killed, but ... the castle miraculously held out and was not conquered. More then 600 years later, Caen again gets destroyed. During the Battle of Normandy, the fighting around and in Caen are extreme and fierce. This centre of road and rail connections is important to both Nazi and Allied forces, leaving the city liberated yet devistated after June 1944.

The day before the Tour de France hits Caen
Ilja, having big fun in a merry-go-round in Caen - Caen

Ilja, having big fun in a merry-go-round in Caen

Our visit to the wonderful city of Caen, was at the day before the Tour the France (2006) would hit the Basse-Normandian capitol in full force. Already the town was dressed up with lots of flags and banners, predicting a extreme hectic day when the cyclists would arrive. Roads were cleaned and there was a unusual business throughout the town. Nothing compared - of course - to the thing that would rage over Caen the next day, as the Tour de France always is a huge spectacle attracting thousands of bicycle-fans from all over Europe. Cities pay enormous amounts to be taken into this first of all bicycle sport events.

  • Intro Updated Nov 27, 2007
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Reviews (22)

May we never forget them - Caen In memory to all those fallen, without a... Off The Beaten Path (9)

Within the castle of Caen one monument did make me stand still for a while (these monuments always do that to me). It... more travel advice

Saint Laurent (?) in Caen - Caen The small church of Saint-Laurent Off The Beaten Path (9)

Can't tell much about this little church that I saw dedicated to Saint-Laurent in the centre of Caen. I liked it's... more travel advice

A statue of Bertrand de Guesclin - Caen Some famous people from and in Caen Off The Beaten Path (9)

Statues always make me curious. In Caen two caught my eye and here something about them: Bertrand de Guesclin, a bastard... more travel advice

These I like the most. The old woodwork houses. - Caen Chaotic ensemble of architectural styles Local Customs (2)

Some say it is chaotic, others - like me - find it one of the charmes of old towns. The colourful variety in buildings... more travel advice

Comments (2)

  • Reply
    hquittner's Profile Photo
    Jan 3, 2008 at 10:15 AM

    Thank you for your in-depth traversal of Caen. It has provided info for 20 yr old missing identities for several sites.

  • Reply
    Luchonda's Profile Photo
    Nov 28, 2007 at 6:30 AM

    Nice informative page on Caen. Thx for sharing

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