CAEN CASTLE
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This castle, a privileged and somewhat turbulent witness to several centuries of history, sits enthroned in the middle of the town.
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in Caen, it’s the Ducal Castle. Hard to miss, it sits enthroned in the middle of the city, a privileged and somewhat turbulent witness to several centuries of history. William the Conqueror had it built in the mid-11th century. Built on a rock barely thirty meters above sea level, it dominated the two valleys that supplied the town with water in 1060. Thanks to this sheer escarpment, the castle had a natural fortification to the east. This is one of the largest castral enclosures in Europe, and its moats were never filled with water, as they were deep enough. Inside, you can visit the Logis du Gouverneur, now home to the Musée de Normandie. After serving as a princely residence, the château became a fortress in 1204. It was besieged several times during the Hundred Years’ War. In the 19th century, it was converted into barracks. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the keep was destroyed by order of the Convention, as two members of parliament had been imprisoned there. Today, a large part of the ramparts is accessible to the public free of charge every day, offering a magnificent view of the city. The ramparts include a sculpture park, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée de Normandie and temporary exhibitions in the Échiquier and Salles du Rempart. A world of its own right in the heart of the city, waiting to be (re)discovered!
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Members' reviews on CAEN CASTLE
Vous pourrez apercevoir le donjon depuis le belvédère du rempart nord mais il est fermé au public. Grand espace est avec un espace de jeux pour enfants.