Caen

William's tomb

The Abbaye-aux-Hommes

Many of Caen's historic buildings and monuments have been carefully restored after the city was virtually flattened in World War II. As well as being the regional capital, Caen is a mecca for shopping, late night bars and river cruises.

William the Conqueror's ducal château was here and some of the ramparts remain today, together with the chapel, great hall and parts of the keep - which were built later. There are some great museums here - the Musée de Normandie, a local history museum, and the Musée de Beaux Arts, which houses a collection of French, Italian and Flemish paintings.

The city is home to some great Norman architecture, such as the Abbaye-aux-Hommes - founded by William the Conqueror - and the Abbaye-aux-Dames - founded by his consort Matilda.

William's tomb also resides here in his favourite city, at the Eglise St-Etienne., while Matilda is buried at the Romanesque Eglise de la Trinité. A number of medieval houses have survived as have several other magnificent churches.