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