Abbey of Saint-Étienne, Caen, Benedictine monastery in Caen, France
The Saint-Étienne Abbey features two towers on its façade and contains multiple chapels built with local limestone across its Latin cross layout.
Founded in 1063 by William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda, the monastery served as a symbol of Norman power during the Middle Ages.
The abbey demonstrates the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture through its ribbed vaults, introduced in 1120 as the first of their kind in France.
The church section of the abbey remains open to visitors while the monastery buildings currently house the Caen city hall administration offices.
During World War II, inhabitants of Caen found shelter inside the church, marking its roof with a red cross for aerial recognition.
Location: Caen
Inception: 1059
Architectural style: Romanesque architecture
Made from material: Caen stone
Part of: religious heritage of Caen
Address: Esp. Jean-Marie Louvel, 14000 Caen, France 14000 Caen
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 08:00-18:00; Friday 08:00-17:00; Saturday 14:00-18:00
Phone: +33231304281
Email: abbayeauxhommes@caen.fr
Website: https://caen.fr/abbaye-aux-hommes
GPS coordinates: 49.18167,-0.37278
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:38
Caen bears traces of its past in every stone. The castle built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century still overlooks the city, while the Abbey of Men and the Abbey of Women testify to the power of the Norman dukes. Saint-Pierre Church rises with its 73-meter Gothic tower, and in the streets of Vaugueux, half-timbered houses recall medieval life. The Caen Memorial tells about World War II and the Normandy Battle, periods that deeply affected the city. Between history and nature, Caen also offers places of rest. The Botanical Garden, created in 1848, houses thousands of plant species within its greenhouses and arboretum. The Park of the Hill of Birds, developed over 17 hectares, features themed gardens and viewpoints over the city. From the Fine Arts Museum located within the castle to the Leroy Tower on the Orne quays, each site invites to discover different periods. Visiting Caen means exploring ten centuries of architecture and events that have shaped Normandy.
Church of Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux
248 m
St-Étienne de Caen
16 m
Equestrian statue of Bertrand du Guesclin
312 m
Église Saint-Nicolas de Caen
299 m
Former courthouse of Caen
182 m
Statue of Louis XIV
291 m
Visitation de Caen
178 m
Artothèque de Caen
125 m
Antique Dealers' Museum
343 m
Église Saint-Martin de Caen
205 m
Hôtel Fouet
310 m
26 rue Arcisse de Caumont
333 m
Hôtel du Grand-Cerf
370 m
Pavillons de l'entrée de la rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant
124 m
15 rue Caponière
186 m
Musée d’initiation à la nature
179 m
17 rue Caponière
177 m
Hôtel de Girard-Bureau
280 m
25 rue Saint-Martin, Caen
223 m
Hôtel Marescot de Prémare
361 m
Hôtel Canteil de Condé
291 m
Maison Charbonnier
334 m
3 place Fontette, Caen
172 m
10 rue Bicoquet, Caen
197 m
FRAC Normandie Caen
418 m
Chapelle de l'ancienne Visitation de Caen
179 m
Statue of Léonce Élie de Beaumont in Caen
306 m
Duke of Berry obelisk
87 mReviews
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