Lower Normandy Chateaux and Castles

Both Normandy regions (Upper and Lower) are full of Castles. The wealthy French built many castles here during the years, often trying to outdo each other in architecture. Here you'll find chateaus, manoirs, and fortresses.

Most castles are still in private hands, but most of the owners allow occasional visits. Some organize visits of the castle grounds, while others open the castle doors several weekends per year. Several have been converted into hotels.

• Caen: the Château de Caen, built circa 1060 by William the Conqueror who successfully conquered England in 1066, is one of the largest medieval fortresses of Western Europe. It remained an essential feature of Norman strategy and policy.
• Falaise: the Château de Falaise is a castle located in the south of the commune of Falaise ("cliff" in French) in the Calvados département of France. The town was the birthplace of William I the Conqueror, first of the Norman kings of England. The castle (12th-13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy.

• Pirou: the castle of Pirou was initially built of wood, then of stone in the 12th century and belonged to the lords of Pirou; it was constructed near the shore of the English Channel, and used to watch upon the West coast of the Cotentin, to protect the town of Coutances.

• Domfront: the Château de Domfront is a ruined castle in the town of Domfront, Orne, in the Orne département of France. It has been protected as ancient monument by the French Ministry of Culture since 1875. The ruins include the keep, the enceinte, ramparts, towers, casemates and the former Sainte-Catherine et Saint-Symphorien chapels.