Chateau de Falaise

Falaise was the seat of the dukes of Normandy, and William was born here around 1028, the son of Duke Robert and Herleva, a tanner's daughter from the town, which is why he was known for much of his life as William the Bastard. The stone keep dates from the twelfth century with a second built by Henry I and a round tower added by Philip Augustus after 1204. A restoration in the 1990s divided opinion sharply: rather than imitate medieval work, the architect inserted floors, stairs and roofing in visibly modern concrete and steel, so old and new are told apart at a glance. Falaise was largely destroyed in 1944.

What you actually see

• The Norman keep - the twelfth-century tower where the ducal hall stood.
• The modern insertions - concrete and steel deliberately distinguished from old fabric.
• The Talbot tower - the round tower added under Philip Augustus.
• The William statue - the equestrian monument in the town square below.

When to go

April to October; the castle closes in January and has reduced winter hours. The town is quiet. Mornings are best for the keep, which is cold and dim.

Honest expectations

The modern restoration is disliked by some visitors expecting a medieval interior. Interiors are largely bare with tablet-based interpretation. The town around was rebuilt after 1944 and is unremarkable.

Nearby

Caen lies north; the Suisse Normande is east.