William the Conqueror built the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Men's Abbey) and his wife Matilda founded the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Ladies' Abbey) in Caen as penance for their consanguineous marriage. Both Romanesque abbeys date from the 11th century. William is buried in the Abbaye-aux-Hommes; Matilda in the Abbaye-aux-Dames. Both survived the Allied bombing of Caen in 1944 and are free to visit.
The two great abbeys of Caen — the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Men's Abbey) and the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Ladies' Abbey) — were founded in the 1060s as an act of penance. Pope Alexander II threatened William, Duke of Normandy, and his wife Matilda of Flanders with excommunication for their marriage; the two abbeys were the agreed penance. William founded the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Saint-Étienne) in 1063 and Matilda founded the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Sainte-Trinité) in 1062. Both are outstanding examples of Norman Romanesque architecture, and both survive largely intact despite the catastrophic Allied bombing of Caen in July 1944, which destroyed most of the surrounding city. William the Conqueror is buried in the choir of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, his tomb marked by a simple black marble slab. Matilda is buried in the Abbaye-aux-Dames. The church of Saint-Étienne attached to the Abbaye-aux-Hommes has an exceptionally grand interior: soaring twin towers at the west end, a late 11th-century nave with galleries, and a 13th-century Gothic choir added over the Romanesque foundations. The Abbaye-aux-Hommes conventual buildings are now Caen's Hôtel de Ville; free guided tours of the cloister, chapter house, and monk's dormitory run several times daily. The Abbaye-aux-Dames, a 15-minute walk east, houses the Normandy Regional Council offices; its church retains its 12th-century apse and carved capitals. Both abbeys are free to visit at any time, making them among the best-value sights in Normandy.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Abbaye-aux-Hommes: 8:15–12:00 & 14:00–18:00 daily; Abbaye-aux-Dames: 9:00–18:00 daily |
| Typical visit | 1–2 hours combined |
| Best time | Morning |
| Address | Esplanade Jean-Marie Louvel, 14000 Caen (Abbaye-aux-Hommes) |
Location
Esplanade Jean-Marie Louvel, 14000 Caen (Abbaye-aux-Hommes)
Highlights
- Tomb of William the Conqueror in the choir of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Saint-Étienne)
- 11th-century Romanesque nave and twin west towers of the church of Saint-Étienne
- Free guided tours of the cloister, chapter house, and dormitory at the Abbaye-aux-Hommes
- Tomb of Queen Matilda in the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Sainte-Trinité)
- Both abbeys survived the 1944 Allied bombing that destroyed most of Caen
Tips for visiting
- Guided tours available at the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (free)
- The church of Saint-Étienne attached to the men's abbey is outstanding
- Both abbeys survived WWII bombing of Caen intact
When to visit
Both abbeys are open daily and can be visited at any time of year. Guided tours of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes run in the morning and early afternoon; check the Caen tourist office for current times. The churches are most peaceful on weekday mornings.
Accessibility
Both abbey churches are at ground level with accessible entrances. The interiors are on single levels and accessible for wheelchair users. The guided tour of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes conventual buildings includes the cloister at ground level; some rooms have steps. Disabled parking is available near each abbey.
Frequently asked questions
Are both abbeys free to visit?
Yes, both the Abbaye-aux-Hommes and the Abbaye-aux-Dames are free to enter. Guided tours of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes conventual buildings depart several times daily and are also free.
Where is William the Conqueror buried?
William is buried in the choir of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes church (Saint-Étienne), his grave marked by a black marble slab. His tomb was desecrated during the French Revolution; only a femur bone remained when the tomb was last opened.
How long does a visit to both abbeys take?
Each church can be viewed in 30 to 45 minutes. A guided tour of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes conventual buildings adds another hour. Budget two hours total to see both properly.
How far apart are the two abbeys?
The Abbaye-aux-Hommes is in western central Caen near the castle; the Abbaye-aux-Dames is about 1.5 km to the east. Both are walkable from the town centre.