Since the 10th century, the city of Caen has developed rapidly on the fertile soils of the Orne Valley. In the same century, the construction of defensives began on the top of a nearby hill.

Today, there is one of the largest and oldest castles in Europe, covering an area of ​​63,000 square meters right in the heart of Normandy. The castle was founded in 1060 by William the Conqueror. At the same time, it was decided that the castle would serve not only as a defensive structure but also as the main royal residence. Then the most important spot of the castle was the palace with the king's chambers: apartments, a private chapel, and a large ceremonial hall. Actually, it was like a separate city was flourishing inside the castle. It had its own Saint George's church, surrounded by a village, a garden, and a herbary with medicinal herbs. The castle was gradually strengthened with eleven towers and a keep (the main and highest tower, observation post).

The city, as well as the castle, passed from the British to the French and back for several centuries. The rule of France was finally established in the 17th century. The French wanted to destroy the castle, a reminder of the English past, but luckily, common sense prevailed.

During the French Revolution, the castle and its weapons were captured by the citizens, and the dungeons were turned into a prison for the enemies of the revolution. In the 19th century, the castle housed barracks for 1,600 local infantrymen. During the Second World War, Caen was the epicenter of the fighting during the Allied Normandy landings and the liberation of France. Since artillery and air raids from both sides were targeted at the castle, by the end of the war, it was almost nothing but ruins.

Restored according to the medieval plan, the castle houses two museums: the Museum of Normandy and the Museum of Fine Arts, with an excellent collection of paintings by Tintoretto, Perugino, Poussin, and Rubens.

Admission to the castle is free. To visit the museums, it is more profitable to buy a multi-pass ticket. The most beautiful views of Caen are from the walls of the castle at sunset.