Château ( Castle ) de Falaise, France

The Château de Falaise is a medieval castle located in the birth place of William I the Conqueror (c. 1028 – 1087) the commune of Falaise in the Calvados département of France. The castle was built in the 12th to 13th century. In 1123 Henry I of England ordered the construction of the "Great Keep" ("Grand Donjon"), while the "Small Keep" ("Petit Donjon") was added in the middle of 12th century. After the conquest of Normandy Philip II Augustus ordered construction of the cylindrical keep known as the "Talbot" tower (Tour Talbot).



After the 1617 the Château de Falaise stood abandoned until 1840 when it was designated a a Monument Historique. Between 1870 and 1874 the castle went through restoration works but it was severely damaged in bombardment in 1944 during the World War II. The restoration works of the medieval castle were carried out at the end of 20th century and is today open to public.