Caen, France (Caen Castle)

 

I'm in downtown Caen (population 105,000) located 120 miles northwest of Paris. As expected there's no old town area. Why? During World War ll about 75% of the city was destroyed. However, I'm here to see Caen Castle--one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. See those flags flying in the distance in the photo above? That's Caen Castle lording over the city. 

My bike and I make our way through the last surviving gatehouse. 

Jeez, the castle was built back in 1060--almost a thousand years ago- and it's just my luck they have the interior grounds all torn up to replace/install plumbing/water and electrical.

The castle complex sits on 13 acres. That building you see was a banquet hall. Who had the castle built in 1060? William the Conqueror (1028-1087). Who was this William guy? Well, he was actually William, Duke of Normandy and in 1066 he crossed the English Channel with his army and defeated King Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings--paving the way to conquer England and become King of England. 

Think about that. Here he was a mere duke (regional power)--not the King of France---and he whupped the English.  That would be like the Governor of Arizona invading and conquering Mexico and being named president of Mexico--while still holding the title of Govenor of Arizona.

So, William the Conqueror split his time between ruling England in London and ruling the Normandy area in Caen, France--while still being subservient to the King of France. Here's a piece of trivia: From 1066-1362 French was the official language of England. 

View of castle walls.

View from ramparts to the city center.

Another view of city from castle walls. 

Dining scene in downtown Caen. 

The building on the left is Caen's impressive city hall. That's Abbey Saint-Etienne on the right. Built in 1066, the abbey is the final resting place for William the Conqueror.