Abbaye aux Dames (Ladies' Abbey)

Founded by Mathilde (William the Conqueror's wife) around 1060, the Ladies' Abbey features the Trinity Church, a real masterpiece of Norman Roman art sheltering Mathilde's grave, the 18th century convent buildings (now house of the Lower Normandy Regional Council offices), the cloister and the grand staircase.
Don't miss : the tomb of queen Mathilda, the crypt and its forest of columns, the Michel d'Ornano Park.

Daily guided tours (in English and French, on booking) are organised year round except on 1/1, 1/5 and 25/12.
Free

Information
Regional Council (Place Reine Mathilde) - 14000 Caen
Phone : +33(0)2 31 06 98 98
Fax : +33(0)2 31 06 98 75
Email : p.laroche@crbn.fr
http://www.region-basse-normandie.fr