{"id":9962,"date":"2023-07-20T10:59:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T08:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/normandielovers.fr\/visit-abbaye-aux-hommes-caen\/"},"modified":"2025-03-31T10:56:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T08:56:56","slug":"visit-abbaye-aux-hommes-caen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/normandielovers.fr\/en\/visit-abbaye-aux-hommes-caen\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in Caen (tips + photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you passing through Caen? Take the opportunity to visit the Abbaye-aux-Hommes<\/strong>. This Benedictine abbey<\/strong> was founded in 1063 by William the Conqueror<\/strong> and consecrated in 1077. The abbey church<\/strong> houses the tomb<\/strong> of this famous Duke of Normandy and King of England. You can also explore the monastic buildings<\/strong>: around a superb Tuscan-style cloister, you’ll stroll through halls now partly occupied by the Town Hall<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n

In this article, we present<\/strong> the Abbaye-aux-Hommes<\/strong> in detail<\/strong>, so that this emblematic<\/strong> Caen monument<\/strong> will no longer hold any secrets for you!<\/p>\n\n

\"Take<\/figure>\n\n

This review is completely independent<\/strong>, we visited anonymously and paid our admission in full.<\/p>\n\n

Why visit the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in Caen?<\/h2>\n\n

Is the abbey worth a visit?<\/h3>\n\n

Yes, we’re convinced! The monastic complex next to the Town Hall left us speechless. We’ve listed it in our article on the best things to do in Caen<\/a>. We also found it very interesting to visit such an important place for the people of Caen: the abbey is the seat of the town hall, and was also a secondary school for many years.<\/p>\n\n

\"View<\/figure>\n\n

Why is Abbaye-aux-Hommes famous?<\/h3>\n\n

The abbey is famous for its abbey church, home to the tomb of William the Conqueror. It is also known as the male counterpart to the Abbaye-aux-Dames, built at the same time north of Caen. Behind these buildings lies the story of William the Conqueror’s love affair with his cousin, whom he married in 1050 despite papal opposition. The couple obtained a pardon from Pope Nicholas II in 1059, but each had to build an abbey.<\/p>\n\n

\"View<\/figure>\n\n

What we liked best<\/h3>\n\n

Our visit was a real “coup de coeur”. Here they are:<\/p>\n\n

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  • L’Esplanade Jean-Marie-Louvel:<\/strong> we found the panorama of the imposing town hall, its French garden and the abbey impressive and unique!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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    • The cloister:<\/strong> in our opinion, this Tuscan-style cloister, emblematic of monastic life, is magnificent!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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      • The chapter house:<\/strong> this room is our favorite of the tour: it’s rare to have the chance to visit a town hall wedding hall without being one of the guests!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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