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.
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