Caen

Founded by William the Conqueror, devastated in World War II, and bustling today.

Situated on the banks of the Orne, the port of Caen suffered great damage in the 1944 invasion of Normandy. Nearly three-quarters of its buildings, 10,000 in all, were destroyed, though the twin abbeys founded by William the Conqueror and his wife, Mathilda, were spared. The city today is essentially modern and has many broad avenues and new apartment buildings.

The capital of Lower Normandy has become bustling, congested, and commercial; it's a major rail and ferry junction. The student population of 30,000 and the hordes of travelers have made Caen more cosmopolitan than ever. Many travel through Caen for the nearby Forbes Château, a venue for a biannual international ballooning festival. Built by François Mansart between 1626 and 1636, the former Château de Balleroy now houses a museum in a converted stable that is filled with artifacts related to the history of ballooning. The château also contains many period rooms that abound with elegant art and antiques.

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