Abbey Church of Saint-Étienne
Monastic buildings
Consecrated in 1077, the abbey church represents the
oldest part of the site, with most of the features dating back to the 11th and 13th centuries. The choir was
redesigned in the 13th century to reflect the prevailing
Gothic style and is home to the tomb of William the
Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England.
The monastery was erected in the 11th century, but
destroyed during the First War of Religion (1562-63),
before being rebuilt in the 18th century. The monastic
buildings are built around a Tuscan-style cloister epitomising the classical Italian style. The buildings today
are home to Caen city hall.
Together with the recently refurbished Place
Saint-Sauveur, the Abbaye-aux-Hommes represents a
unique heritage site.
In December 2013, Caen was awarded the
City of Art and History hallmark in official
recognition of its remarkable heritage.
Medieval buildings and agricultural
buildings
The abbey also used to be a farm and an inn. It still
houses a cider press, a carriage house and a bakery.
Two 14th century buildings bear witness to the abbey’s
former role as a place of refuge and a political venue.
- Palais Ducal, which was restored between
2012 and 2013, now hosts the city’s art
library and its collection of contemporary art.
- The Guardroom, where town council meetings take
place
Palais Ducal
Abbey Church of Saint-Étienne
Place Saint-Sauveur
* Prices: refer to the pricing information for individual guided
tours. By advance booking only. Restricted to 40 people.
Cloister
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C
m
A
and
C : 100% wheelchair
> Circuit B : cider press and guardroom not
accessible to wheelchair users
> Circuits
access
Mobility impairment
Refectory
> Portable induction loops
available
Calefactory
> Adapted commentary
> Visitors may touch the exhibits
> Raised features
Visual impairment
18th century monastery rooms
17th century buildings
Visit meeting point
Parlour
Cloister
Esplanade Jean-Marie-Louvel
RECEPTION
Visit meeting point
Shop
Scriptorium
Grand
staircase
Cider press
Entrance
Hearing impairment
Edward, the King of England, had named William, the Duke
of Normandy, to be his successor. Upon Edward’s death
and betrayed by Harold, Edward’s brother-in-law, William
took up arms to assert his claim to the throne. William defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066.
William was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey on 25 December 1066, whereupon he became William
"the Conqueror". On 9 September 1087, he died in Rouen.
According to his wishes, he was interred in the Abbey
Church of Saint-Étienne in Caen.
Work began on the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in 1066, the year
that marked the Norman conquest of England.
Towards 1050, William married his distant cousin Matilda of
Flanders, despite opposition from Pope Leo IX. The Church
forbade their marriage, so Matilda and William sought atonement by founding the Abbaye-aux-Dames, dedicated to
the Holy Trinity, and the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, dedicated
to Saint-Étienne.
Born in Falaise in 1027, William was the son of Robert the
Magnificent, the future Duke of Normandy, and Herleva, a
tanner’s daughter. Upon his father’s death, William became
the designated sole heir to the ducal throne. His succession
to the throne was challenged by the barons, who considered William to be Robert’s illegitimate son. William quashed
the rebels once and for all in 1047 and became the undisputed Duke of Normandy.
William the Conqueror
Bakery
Guardroo
Impasse Duc-Rollon
Chapter
room
B
Palais ducal
Sacristy
A
Matines
staircase
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Entrance
> Individuals: you are advised to
telephone ahead of your visit
> Documents are available with
pictures and symbols
Intellectual disability
Enquiries:
City of Caen
Reception / Guided tours
Esplanade Jean-Marie-Louvel
14027 CAEN cedex 9
Tel: + 33 2 31 30 42 81
[email protected]
Place Saint-Sauveur
William's tomb
Abbey church
of Saint-Étienne
Entrance
Monseigneur
des Hameaux square
rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant
Ville de Caen / Photos© Ville de Caen - F. Decaëns, S. Maurice, municipal Archives, DR and X / Translator: S. Mountifield / Print: ETC-Inn / Picture: Descente de Guillaume en Angleterre , N-B Lépicié / 2015
caen.fr