Where was William the Conqueror born?

At Falaise Castle, in Calvados, in 1027 or 1028. The French Ministry of Culture record describes it as his birthplace.

Which castle did William the Conqueror build in France?

Caen Castle, founded around 1060, and the ducal castle at Lillebonne in Seine-Maritime. The keep at Caen was built by his son Henry I around 1120.

William the Conqueror castles: which ones are open all year?

1 are listed as open all year: Château de Sainte-Suzanne. The others open in season, and winter hours are often shorter.

William the Conqueror’s castles

8 châteaux listed

8 places in Normandy and Maine where the duke was born, built or laid siege, with admission prices and opening seasons.

William the Conqueror was born at Falaise Castle in 1027 or 1028. As Duke of Normandy he conquered England in 1066; a Montfort, of the family that held Montfort-sur-Risle, was with him at Hastings.

Around 1060 he founded Caen Castle, whose walls enclose one of the largest fortified areas of medieval Europe; his son Henry I Beauclerc added the stone keep and the Exchequer hall around 1120. He also founded the ducal castle at Lillebonne, where Philip Augustus later raised a great round keep.

Not every fortress gave way. Sainte-Suzanne, in Maine, held out against him for three years. In 1077 he besieged the castle at Rémalard, in the Perche, where his rebellious son Robert Curthose had shut himself in.

Most of these sites are ruins today, visited in the open air; Caen and Falaise still have buildings to walk through. Each name leads to its own page, with opening hours and directions.

The places, one by one

From the best known to the most discreet. Prices are for one adult; the season comes from the opening periods each place publishes.

Château de Falaise (Falaise Castle)
Falaise, Calvados
His birthplace, in 1027 or 1028.
Adult admission: €9.50Open July to August
Opening hours and access
Castle of Caen
Caen, Calvados
Founded by William around 1060; keep and Exchequer hall added around 1120 by his son Henry I.
Open December to December
Opening hours and access Tickets
Château de Sainte-Suzanne (Sainte-Suzanne Castle)
Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes, Mayenne
The stronghold that withstood his attacks for three years.
Adult admission: €4Open all year
Opening hours and access
Château de Lillebonne (Lillebonne Castle)
Lillebonne, Seine-Maritime
Ducal castle founded by William, later strengthened by Philip Augustus.
Season not published
Opening hours and access
Château de Broglie (Broglie Castle)
Broglie, Eure
William granted the 11th-century castle to Henri de Ferrières.
Season not published
Opening hours and access
Château de Bonneville-sur-Touques (Bonneville-sur-Touques Castle)
Bonneville-sur-Touques, Calvados
Built in the 12th century on the site of one of William the Conqueror’s manor houses.
Season not published
Opening hours and access
Motte castrale du Château
Rémalard en Perche, Orne
Besieged by William in 1077, when his son Robert Curthose held it against him.
Season not published
Opening hours and access
Château d'Amfreville (Amfreville Castle)
Amfreville, Manche
A feudal estate whose foundation goes back to William the Conqueror.
Season not published
Opening hours and access

The map

The 8 places on this page. Tap a point to open its page.

Loading the map…

The route

From the Pays de Caux to Maine, seven stops over two or three days: Lillebonne, the Touques valley, Caen, Falaise, Broglie, the Perche and Sainte-Suzanne. Amfreville, out on the Cotentin peninsula, is a separate day.

Stop	From the previous stop
1.Château de Lillebonne (Lillebonne Castle) · Lillebonne
2.Château de Bonneville-sur-Touques (Bonneville-sur-Touques Castle) · Bonneville-sur-Touques	37 km
3.Castle of Caen · Caen	39 km
4.Château de Falaise (Falaise Castle) · Falaise	35 km
5.Château de Broglie (Broglie Castle) · Broglie	55 km
6.Motte castrale du Château · Rémalard en Perche	67 km
7.Château de Sainte-Suzanne (Sainte-Suzanne Castle) · Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes	91 km

324 km in a straight line overall

Frequently asked questions

Where was William the Conqueror born?: At Falaise Castle, in Calvados, in 1027 or 1028. The French Ministry of Culture record describes it as his birthplace.
Which castle did William the Conqueror build in France?: Caen Castle, founded around 1060, and the ducal castle at Lillebonne in Seine-Maritime. The keep at Caen was built by his son Henry I around 1120.
William the Conqueror castles: which ones are open all year?: 1 are listed as open all year: Château de Sainte-Suzanne. The others open in season, and winter hours are often shorter.