Phil&Jill

As I have mentioned in a previous post William the Conqueror has had a big impact on this city. He came to Caen around 1050 and married a distant cousin Matilda of Flanders, defying a papal ban. To obtain a pardon from the Church he undertook to construct two abbeys at the same time as Caen Castle. The Abbaye-aux-Hommes and the Abbaye-aux Dames. All these buildings are very impressive in themselves but what was William thinking to spread them so far away from each other?? When walking is a difficulty what is the solution. Caen has a Navette - red shuttle bus which is free but once again doesn't cover all the touristic attractions. It also has a little white train in the shape of a steam train - you all know the type!! Well I said to Phil - voila - there is our transport to get around and see this city. So for an hour we travelled up hill and down vale and learned so much. No walking!!

We went around the Fort with its Normandy Museum and Fine Arts Museum. The surrounds of the Castle was protected by a moat and the little train chugged right over the draw bridge and over the grounds with the ramparts, the Porte de Champs, the remains of the main cadtle keep, the Exchequer room and St George's church - now the reception area- all attesting to thr grandeur of the past.

Up the top of the hill (I think I can, I think I can....said the train and it climbed clear over the hill) ..stood the Abbaye aux Dames with a beautiful garden and park inside the grounds. This city is called the city of a hundred bells because of so many churches and it was gentle on the ears when some tolled.

We rode past the university which was completely rebuilt after the bombings
On past St Pierre Church.

Through the pedestrian malls which contained all the haute couture shops and people just strolling
It was not busy as it was Sunday but the little sidewalk cafes were doing roaring trade often with Edith Pifaff songs singing out.

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The Hotel de Ville is situated in the building of the Abbaye de Hommes and around the corner is the Hall of Justice.

Returning via another street we came upon the remnant 15th century half timbered houses. The construction of which was banned last century because of the fire threat they posed.

Finally we headed back past the Marina an area subjected to floods until the built a lock to gather the water and the Tour LeRoy formerly the entrance to the city

We were well pleased with ourselves with this thorough orientation of Caen with the excellent dialogue being very informative. We returned to the Place du St Pierre where we had started out and shook the hand of the driver and thanked him for solving our problem of not being able to see it all on foot. This city has so much to offer. I could easily stay on for another month and become immersed and have the time to explore the parks, water sport and cycling on the excellent bike paths just out the door of our apartment, the Opera in its massive theatre, the organ recitals in most of the churches, the art exhibitions in the Museum of Fine Arts...get the picture ....there is so much to do.