Phil&Jill

Wow this city just keeps on giving.

After a slow start this morning we walked up Rue St Jean to the church. Not far and from there we rode the Caen Navette - a free city shuttle bus, which comes by every 15 minutes.

This saved Phil a heap of walking to the edge of the city where the remaining piece of the city wall exists. We stopped at the Hotel de Ville (town hall) stop. The town hall is now situated on the 2nd floor of what was previously the Ducal palace and what a sight it is when you first see it even if it is drizzling rain like it was when we first arrived. The white Caen limestone (unique to this area) was gleaming in the raindrops. Set in a beautiful French style garden it is breathtaking. This stone was also taken to England for the building of Westminister Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, among others.

When we first arrived there was a wedding party going into the Salles de Marriages. A young muslim couple were to be married by the Mayor who wore a sash in the tricolours of France.

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We took a tour in English to go around the whole building. This Abbey-aux-Hommes, is an architectural masterpiece of medieval art and 18th century. It was founded in 1063 by William the Conqueror as a payment to the Pope for marrying his cousin (7 times removed) Mathilde of Flanders. This was frowned on in those days but it showed how much influence the royalty had on the religious leaders of the time in seeking retribution by showing power. The Abbey church of St Stephen has been listed as an historic monument since 1840 and reflects the past splendour of the Dukes of Normandy and is one of the finest examples of the 11th century Norman Romanesque art.

The Abbey has had a turbulent history from religious wars and the French Revolution but has risen phoenix like from the ashes to withstand attacks by rebuilding parts in the various centuries. The monastic buildings were rebuilt by Benedictine monks of the Congregation of St Maur following one such period. No more than 59 monks have lived here obeying their vows of silence and humility. It was all their areas that our guide showed us - the chapel, the dining hall, the scription, the grand staircase, the cloister, the warming room, the embroidered vestments. Many rooms had sculptured wood panelling to help insulate the building from noise and keep in warmth. They were all done by one man Francois Poche who was not a monk but devoted 60 years of his life doing the panelling - true devotion!

The church of St Stephen was a photographer's dream with all its angles, points and straight lines. This is my version from my phone but it will be interesting to see Phil's final shots. William the Conqueror's tomb is here but following the Religious Wars of the 15th century his body was dug up and his bones scattered around the country. Only his left femour remains in his tomb.

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The official portrait of William the Conqueror looks like this.

Well that is what they say anyway!! Check out the hairstyle!

This has been a very informative visit to another outstanding monument in this city. We have loved every day we have been here but I must say that the bus system takes a bit of getting used to
..we nearly headed off in the wrong direction heading home but eventually No 1 bus took us to the Pont de Vaucelles - across the corner of our lovely apartment we are starting to call home!!