Falaise is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

Geography

Flowing through Falaise are the river Ante and the river Trainefeuille, both tributaries of the river Dives. Falaise borders the area known as Suisse Normande, on its eastern side.

History

The area around Falaise has been inhabited from prehistoric times, but it was only at the end of the prehistoric period and the beginning of the Gallo-Roman era that the area, Falaise in particular, was regularly inhabited. Evidence of settlement from the time has been found at Vaston, an agricultural area just north-east of the modern town. Falaise, as it is sited today, probably came into being around the castle. The town was the birthplace of William the Conqueror, first of the Norman kings of England. He was frequently referred to as William the Bastard, on account of his being born out of wedlock to Herleva from Falaise, reputedly a tanner's daughter. The Château de Falaise (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy. Also, the Treaty of Falaise was signed at the castle in December 1174 between the captive William I, King of Scots, and the Plantagenet king of England, Henry II. The town was also the place that Rabbi Yom Tov of Falaise, grandchild of Rashi, held his rabbinical court. On 26 October 1851, a statue of William the Conqueror was inaugurated here (at his place of birth).

World War II

In modern times, it is known for the battle of the Falaise Pocket during the Allied reconquest of France (called Operation Overlord) in August 1944 in which two German armies were encircled and destroyed by the allied armies. Some 10,000 German troops were killed and 50,000 taken prisoner. Two-thirds of Falaise was destroyed by allied bombing before the town was taken by a combined force of Canadian and Polish troops. Falaise was largely restored after the war.

Population

Points of Interest

Château de Falaise

The main attraction for the town is the Château de Falaise, which was used by Norman royalty as the seat of the Dukes of Normandy, until the 13th century, when it was captured by King Philip II of France. It is commonly known as Château Guillaume le Conquérant or William the Conqueror's Castle as he was born here. In 1840 it was declared a monument historique in 1840, and today is open to the public.

National heritage sites

In addition to the castle Falaise has another 23 buildings and areas listed as a monument historique. Three of these listed buildings, the old courthouse and two houses, are no longer remaining as were destroyed during World War II. Another three listed buildings are town houses from the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The remaining 17 listed sites are below:

Museums

Notable people and animals

Twin towns – sister cities

Falaise is twinned with:

Climate