🇫🇷 Caen – A City Shaped by William the Conqueror & WWII 🏰⚔️

I recently passed through Caen and spent just over an hour exploring its historic center—definitely coming back for more! 📍 Where is Caen? Nestled in the heart of Normandy, just 2 hours from Paris and close to the coast, Caen is a vibrant city best known as the hometown of William the Conqueror. 🏛️ A City Built by a King (and a Queen!) Caen flourished into a great medieval city thanks to William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders. Together, they commissioned two stunning abbeys: Abbaye aux Hommes (Men’s Abbey, by William) Abbaye aux Dames (Women’s Abbey, by Matilda) Both still stand as breathtaking monuments today! 🏰 Caen Castle – A Norman Stronghold The Château de Caen, with its imposing towers, was one of the most important fortresses of the Duchy of Normandy. Now, it houses two fascinating museums. 💥 WWII & The Battle of Caen During the D-Day landings, British forces captured the Pegasus Bridge (originally Bénouville Bridge) on June 6, 1944—a critical victory for the Allies. But liberating Caen was much harder… After brutal fighting, the city was finally freed on July 9, 1944, but 80% of it lay in ruins. ✨ Rebirth from the Ashes Miraculously, some historic monuments survived, and the city was rebuilt using the same famous Caen stone—the same used in the Tower of London (also built by William!). 🌿 Modern Caen – A Lively Gem Today, the restored city center is a charming mix of: Museums 🖼️ Boutiques & cafés ☕ Lush public gardens 🌳 Vibrant student nightlife 🎉 #France #Caen #Normandy #WWII #Castles #Churches #EuropeTravel ✈️🇫🇷