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Caen
is the capital and largest city of Basse Normandie. Caen
is a bustling industrial and cultural centre, with a wealth of
medieval abbeys and a magnificent castle. William the Conqueror
and Queen Matilda founded Caen in the 11th century and
built two great abbeys, his Abbaye aux Hommes and her Abbaye
aux Dames, both masterpieces of Norman Romanesque, and a castle
on the north bank of the river Orne. The castles art collection
includes Rubens and Monet in the Musee des Beaux Arts.Visitors
to Caen can stroll through the streets and squares, such
as the rue Ecuyère, rue Froide and rue Saint Martin, to
explore hidden courtyards and medieval, narrow streets. Most
of Caen's main historical buildings are located on the
left bank of the River Orne, which passes through the city centre.
In Caen, the Vaugueux quarter has a number of excellent
restaurants. |
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Normandy gets its name from the Viking Norsemen who
sailed up the River Seine in the 9th century and colonized the
area, making Rouen their capital. Normandy has large ports with
important transatlantic trade, whilst inland it is overwhelmingly
agricultural. The image of Normandy is one of a lush, tranquil,
pastoral region of apple orchards, contented cattle, Calvados
and Camembert. There are ancient picturesque ports such as Honfleur
to visit, seaside resorts with elegant promenades, splendid centuries-old
half-timbered manor houses lining quiet countryside lanes and
extrordinary Romanesque and Gothic architectural treasures. |