Built on a rocky outcrop that provided it with natural defences, Falaise – the birthplace of William the Conqueror – occupies a strategic position. As early as the 10th and 11th centuries, the first Dukes of Normandy built their castle there, which served as a ducal and later royal residence and was the catalyst for the town’s growth. Protected by a solid 2-kilometre-long wall, flanked by 50 towers and 6 fortified gates, Falaise was to become one of Normandy’s major strongholds. Our guided tours for groups, available in French and English, invite you to discover the many remains of this glorious era: walk in the shadow of the ramparts that witnessed the comings and goings of the Anglo-Norman rulers, admire the fortified gates and medieval churches, or the Arlette Fountain, the legendary site of the meeting between Robert the Magnificent and Arlette, the parents of William the Conqueror. An open-air journey through 1,000 years of history!