Château de Falaise

Château de Falaise

The cradle of a conqueror

In the Normandy countryside, on a rocky height above a stream, stands the Château de Falaise, with its tall, square stone keep. This was the stronghold of the dukes of Normandy, and it holds a special place in history as the birthplace, around the year 1027, of one of the most famous men of the Middle Ages: William the Conqueror, the Norman duke who crossed the sea to win the crown of England in 1066.

William's beginnings

William was born at Falaise as the son of Duke Robert of Normandy and a young woman named Herleva. Because his parents were not married, he was sometimes called "William the Bastard" in his youth, and his early life was full of danger, with rivals plotting against the boy duke. Yet William survived, grew into a strong and determined ruler, and made Normandy one of the most powerful states in Europe.

In 1066 he gathered a great fleet and army, crossed the English Channel, and defeated the English king at the Battle of Hastings. Crowned King of England that Christmas, William changed the course of English history forever — and it all began here at Falaise. A fine statue of William on horseback now stands in the town below the castle.

A mighty Norman keep

The castle's great square keep is a classic example of Norman castle-building, with massively thick walls of pale stone. Inside, it held the duke's hall and chambers, strong and plain, built for defence as much as comfort. Later a round tower, known as the Talbot Tower, was added, named after an English commander, from the time when this region too was caught up in the Hundred Years' War between France and England.

From the keep, the lords of Falaise could watch over the town and the surrounding countryside, secure behind their walls.

War and damage

Over the centuries Falaise saw much fighting. Most recently, the town and castle were caught up in heavy battles during the Second World War, when the area around Falaise was the scene of a major struggle as Allied armies fought to free France. The town was badly damaged, but the sturdy old castle survived.

A modern restoration

In recent times the Château de Falaise has been restored and presented to visitors in an unusual way. Rather than guessing at lost details, the restorers used modern materials and clear, simple reconstructions to show the shape of the medieval halls and rooms, helping visitors understand how the castle once worked while making clear what is old and what is new.

Visiting today

Visitors can explore the great keep and its towers, learning about William the Conqueror and the dukes of Normandy through displays and reconstructions, and enjoy views over the town and countryside from the ramparts. In the town below, the statue of William recalls the local boy who became a king. Sturdy, historic and the birthplace of a conqueror, the Château de Falaise is one of the key castles of Normandy.