Located in the northwestern part of France, the Commune of
Caen serves as the capital for the
Basse-Normandie region. Known for its delightful historical sites,
Caen is just two hours away from the City of
Paris. It is also close to the southern part of England, connected to the latter by the
Caen- Portsmouth ferry line. With an urban population of more than 400,000 people,
Caen is situated close to the coast and beaches, something that is a great attraction for tourists.
Known worldwide for its historical prominence, the Commune of
Caen houses several buildings created during the time of William the Conqueror. Having lived in
Caen throughout his rule, William the Conqueror was also buried in this commune. However, much of the work bearing historical and architectural magnificence was wiped out during the Battle of Normandy, which was fought by the Germans against the Allied Forces in 1944.
The Orne River flows throughout the city. Several small rivers have been buried under the city to promote urban hygiene, a feature making the city remarkable.
There are several sites that one ought to visit while touring
Caen. The most famous of them are Chateau de
Caen, Eglise St. Etienne, Jardin Botanique de
Caen, the Abbaye-aux-Hommes church, and the Parc Festyland.
Chateau de
Caen was the castle built by William the Conqueror in 1060 and has since acted as the barracks of many armies. The Eglise St. Etienne, earlier known as the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, was built in 1063 and dedicated to St. Stephen. Jardin Botanique de
Caen is the area’s botanical garden and is a few centuries old. The Abbaye-aux-Hommes Church gained historical importance for housing the grave of William the Conqueror. Situated in the western part of
Caen, Parc Festyand is an amusing area that attracts more than 100,000 tourists annually.
