CAEN, Normandy: St Peter's church

A stunning building, both inside and out. Its tower - "the king of Norman bell towers" - is 78 metres high, even higher than the walls of the massive fortification behind it. The tower was destroyed in 1944, and has since been rebuilt.

The church of Saint-Pierre was constructed between the 13th and mid 16th centuries. Its choir, in rich renaissance style, is breathtaking.

For many years the exterior of the church was black from years of exposure to industrial pollution; its cleaning is now almost complete - and what a delight the church is to behold!


The town is dominated by its castle, constructed by the powerful fourth and sixth Dukes of Normandy, Guillaume le Batard and Henri Beauclerc.