Visiting Normandy? Don’t miss Falaise Castle, birthplace of William the Conqueror! This imposing 11th-century medieval fortress proudly dominates the town from its rocky outcrop. We were fascinated by this exceptional defensive architecture and its revolutionary augmented reality tour.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Château de Falaise
Is William the Conqueror’s castle worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, William the Conqueror’s castle in Falaise is a must-see for history buffs. This 11th-century fortress is one of the most important medieval fortresses in France. We were impressed by its austere character, which contrasts with its innovative, immersive tour route.
It’s one of the best châteaux in Normandy!
Why is Château de Falaise famous?
Falaise Castle is famous for being the birthplace of William the Conqueror, future Duke of Normandy and King of England, one of the most important figures of the European Middle Ages.
Our favorite
The château’s breathtaking views over Falaise are our absolute favorite. From the heights of this fortress perched on its rocky outcrop, we admired exceptional panoramic views over the Ante valley and the town below. This strategic position offers a unique insight into the site’s defensive importance in medieval times.
WHERE TO STAY IN Caen
Option 1: in the old town center
We recommend..:
- Hotel Best Western Plus Le moderne not far from the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel La Fontaine also near the castle – see prices, photos and availability
- B&B Les Chambres de L’Abbaye, near Abbaye-aux-Hommes – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: to Ouistreham
To sleep more in the countryside or near the beach (15 to 20min from Rouen). We recommend..:
- Hotel Manoir Hastings and its stone houses – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel La Mare Ô Poissons and its swimming pool – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: near the port or station
We recommend..:
- Campanile hotel next to the station – see prices, photos and availability.
History in brief
Falaise castle has seen more than a thousand years of turbulent history:
- Around 1000: Ducal fortress, birth of William the Conqueror
- 1123: Henry I Beauclerc builds the great Anglo-Norman keep
- 1154: Henry II Plantagenet, Anglo-Norman empire at its peak
- 1204: Philip Augustus annexes Normandy, adds cylindrical keep
- 14th-15th centuries: Hundred Years’ War, English occupation, reinforced fortifications
- 1590: Siege by Henri IV, partial destruction, end of military role
- 17th-18th centuries: Decline, ditches filled in, administrative use
- 1840: Château classified as a historical monument, first restorations
- 1986-1996: Complete restoration of the dungeons
- Today: Château restored and open to visitors
Access and map: Château de Guillaume le Conquérant, Falaise
Where is Château de Falaise?
The château is located on Place Guillaume le Conquérant, in the town center of Falaise, Normandy.
- 30min drive from Caen
- 1 hour’s drive from Deauville
It’s one of our 10 favorite châteaux in Normandy:
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there?
The easiest way is to come by car.
For easier access to the château by bus from Caen or Le Mans, take the N158, exit at junction 11 and follow Boulevard des Bercagnes.
From Lisieux, follow the D511 and then the Boulevard des Bercagnes.
From Caen bus station, a bus takes you to Falaise in 45 minutes.
Parking
A public parking lot is located at the foot of the ramparts on Boulevard des Bercagnes.
DISCOVER Caen
- What to do in Caen
- Where to stay in Caen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Caen: our best restaurants
- Caen’s best museums
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- Caen Castle
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Rent a car in Caen: our tips
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
We recommend avoiding school vacations, and choosing a visit at the start or end of the day for greater peace and quiet. These slots allow you to take full advantage of the interactive features without being disturbed by the crowds.
You should also try to come on a sunny day, as part of the tour takes place outdoors.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1h30 to fully enjoy the mediation tour.
The Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant’s location on a rocky outcrop makes access difficult for people with reduced mobility (steep paths, numerous steps, sometimes uneven ground…).
It is not possible to visit the dungeons in a wheelchair or baby carriage.
Visually impaired visitors are also hard put to cope with, as there are numerous obstacles and high light contrasts.
Advice on how to visit
We recommend you start by exploring the exterior, take advantage of the interactive tour and then take the time to discover the castle’s views over the city.
This progression will enable you to better understand the architectural evolution of the site and appreciate its exceptional strategic position.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
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Visiting with children
The museum is immersive in itself, and will appeal to the youngest visitors.
Special family tours are also available.
Visit the official website for more info here.
Schedules and rates
The château is open daily from 10am to 6pm (closed on Mondays).
Here are the prices:
- Adults: €9.50
- Children (6-16 years): €5
- Children (under 6): Free
- Reduced adult rate: €7.50
Guided tours
Château mediators offer guided tours in French at 3.30pm on weekends, public holidays and bank holidays.
Lasting 1 hour, this no-reservation required tour takes you on a journey through the château’s 1,000-year history, from the small stone fortress of the first Dukes of Normandy to the formidable fortified castle of the late Middle Ages.
Catering
There are a few options in the town of Falaise, but we haven’t tried them out. Alternatively, check out our selection of the best addresses in Caen.
A photogenic fortress: unique panoramas
As soon as you arrive in Falaise, the imposing silhouette of the castle will grab you! This massive fortress proudly dominates the town from its rocky outcrop, offering a striking architectural spectacle. The rampart, flanked by 15 towers, delimits an area of 1.5 hectares separated by a moat into an upper and lower courtyard. We were struck by the imposing mass of the 3 keeps that crown the most inaccessible part of the site. This exceptional strategic position creates a particularly photogenic defensive complex, where you’ll be able to capture all the visual power of Norman military architecture. The quadrangular keeps, with their thick walls and austere facades, stand majestically as witnesses to this Anglo-Norman architecture, which is rare in France.
Once inside the fortress, we discovered breathtaking panoramic views over the town of Falaise and the Ante valley. From the ramparts and towers, you’ll enjoy exceptional natural vantage points that reveal the extent of the territory once controlled by the Dukes of Normandy. These strategic vantage points reveal the site’s defensive importance in medieval times. We highly recommend taking the time to admire these views from the different levels of the castle, each offering a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape.
The secrets of William the Conqueror’s castle
An exceptional strategic site, Falaise Castle is a remarkable showcase for the epic story of William the Conqueror and a testament to Anglo-Norman power.
Born in Falaise in 1027, William’s first feat of arms took place in this very castle, his victory marking the founding act in the assertion of his power in Normandy. We were captivated by the story of his third son, Henri Beauclerc, who completely transformed his father’s château after inheriting the duchy of Normandy and the crown of England. Around 1123, he built a large square keep inspired by those built by the Conqueror in England to guarantee the rights of the new Norman lords.
Beyond the princely history, the castle also reveals the secrets of medieval life, thanks to a meticulous and scientifically rigorous reconstruction.
This tour, though simple in its approach, proves instructive in understanding the daily life of 12th-century inhabitants.
We were fascinated by the reconstruction of the ducal apartments, kitchens, armouries and communal living areas, revealing the complex social organization of the period.
A scientific committee of historians and archaeologists has ensured that every detail is historically plausible, drawing on the most recent archaeological discoveries to offer you an authentic immersion in the second half of the 12th century, when the castle was at its height.
Multimedia for an interactive visit
The digital tablet that accompanies each visitor is the real asset of this unique experience. Thanks to augmented reality, sets and fittings that have now disappeared bring to life the atmosphere of the château in its heyday. We were impressed by this technology, which goes beyond simple visualization: the tablet can also be used to move interactive elements around the itinerary, making visitors truly active in their discovery.
In the engine room, for example, six models evoke the castle’s military history and the various sieges it has endured. Thanks to the touch screen, you’ll see these machines come to life and operate before your very eyes, offering an immediate understanding of medieval warfare techniques.
The immersive experience is further enhanced by a carefully crafted video system that punctuates your visit. Outside, a film shows the evolution of the castle’s fortifications and buildings over nearly 1,000 years of history.
Inside, we were captivated by the appearances of six dukes of Normandy and kings of England, as well as three duchesses, who tell you the amazing story of how these walls were built. In the chapel, you’ll enjoy a striking sound immersion with Gregorian chants that recreate the spiritual atmosphere of the period. Finally, the visit concludes with a film on William the Conqueror’s conquest of England, a perfect synthesis of this historic adventure!
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Frequently asked questions
Are there any events at Château de Falaise?
Yes! Lots of different proposals! The château organizes storytelling evenings with medieval legends in the dungeons, garden events to discover plants and their uses in the Middle Ages, and medieval re-enactments with demonstrations and workshops (weaponry, calligraphy, illumination, daily life). Visit the official website for more info here.
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Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
