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Commune in Normandy, France
Photo: Viault, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Falaise is a town (population 9,000) on the Ante River in the French department of Calvados, south of the regional centre Caen. It is famous as the birthplace of William the Conqueror and as the scene of remarkably fierce fighting in August 1944 during the Battle of Normandy, after the D-Day landings on the coast north of Caen.
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The, Place Guillaume le Conquérant, open Feb—Dec 10AM-6PM (closes 7PM Jul and Aug), NB: closed 8 Jan—9 Feb inclusive and Christmas Day, admission adults €6.50, concessions and students €5, children 6-16 €3 - William the Conquerer's birthplace and an important stronghold of the Dukes of Normandy and English kings until the French king Phillipe Augustus wrested the castle from the hands of King John in 1204. The castle remains an impressive example of Norman fortification. Excellent audio-visual displays. English guided tours available (phone ahead). Castle shop.
a memorial and museum devoted to the 1944 battle of Falaise pocket
Every Saturday in and around the main square and Market hall. Fresh food, including fabulous fish and shellfish, vegetables, meat, poultry and cheese. Also clothes, plants and even furniture.
From Paris, Falaise is a 262 km (3 h) drive west of the French capital by the A13, then south from Caen.
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Caen · Regional · CFR
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