Caen - St Étienne

In Caen, from Place Malherbe Rue Ecuyère runs west to Place Fontette, with the 18th century Palais de Justice (Law Courts). From here Rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant continues west to the imposing abbey church of St- Etienne or of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, built by William the Conqueror in 1066 in Romanesque (Norman) style, together with an abbey of which little now remains, in expiation of his sin in marrying within the prohibited degrees.

The choir and towers, in Early Gothic style, were added in the 13th century The facade of St-Etienne is particularly fine. In the impressive interior a stone in front of the high altar marks the position of William the Conqueror's tomb, destroyed by Calvinists in 1562.

Adjoining the church on the south are the abbey buildings, largely rebuilt in the 18th century, which were occupied for many years by the Lycée Malherbe and now house the Town Hall. Richly decorated interior (beautiful wrought-iron banisters, fine paneling, large refectory). From the Romanesque cloister there is a fine view of the church towers.

A little way northwest of St- Etienne, on the south side of an attractive churchyard, is the disused church of St-Nicolas (1083-1093), with a fine Romanesque porch and a beautiful apse facing towards the churchyard.

6km/4miles northwest of the town center are the ruins of the Premonstratensian abbey of Ardenne (12th-13th century).