Caen, city in northern France, capital of Calvados Department, on the Orne River, and linked by canal with the nearby English Channel, in Normandy (Normandie). Caen is a seaport, a farm-trade center, and a manufacturing city; products include textiles, lace, electronic equipment, and processed food.
The city retains several fine buildings despite suffering heavy damage in World War II (1939-1945). Especially noteworthy are two examples of 11th-century Norman Romanesque architecture—the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Men's Abbey), founded by William the Conqueror, and the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Women's Abbey), founded by William's wife, Matilda. Both structures were later restored and altered and no longer house abbeys. Other landmarks in Caen include the Church of Saint Pierre, a chiefly Gothic structure with Renaissance embellishments; an 11th-century castle; and a 16th-century mansion. The city is the site of the University of Caen, founded in 1432 by Henry VI of England.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Caen Information info
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