Falaise (pop. 8,800), birthplace of William the Conqueror, is dominated by the magnificent ruins of the castle in which he was born in 1027. The main surviving remains are the keep and a massive 13th C. round tower 35 m/115ft high. In the town are the churches of Ste-Trinité (13th-16th C.) and St-Gervais (11th-16th C.).
Château de Carrouges was built in the middle ages and passed between three well known families. The Keep was rebuilt during the Hundred Years War, the chateau was a residence during the 17th century and now serves as the headquarters of the regional nature reserve of Normandy and Maine regions.
Address: Château de Carrouges, F-61320 Carrouges, France
Hours:
April 1 to June 15: 10am-12pm, 2pm-6pm
June 16 to August 31: 9:30am-12pm, 2pm-6:30pm
October 1 to March 31: 10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Château Guillaume le Conquérant is a medieval chateau (12th to 13th C) noted for being the birthplace of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who invaded England in 1066. Two of the three towers are in the style used by the Normans in England, while the third Round Tower was constructed in the 13th C.
Address: Château Guillaume le Conquérant, F-14700 Falaise, France
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 10am-6pm
October 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Tue, Wed
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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Carrouges - Chateau de Carrouges, France
