CAEN ET SES ENVIRONS
Caen, La Ville aux Deux Abbayes
Did not expect Caen to be as lovely as it has turned out to be. A recent description of the city includes the following:
"Modern and yet intensively cultural, Caen fully assumes its status as regional capital in the areas of technology, administration, and tourism. All of this without forgetting the prestigious history of a city chosen as his personal residence by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who would become William I of England, and his wife Queen Matilde. Despite the terrible bombardment of WWII, Caen showed her strength, resilience, and vitality so that she today shows a shining face to the world."
The true origins of the City of Caen are shrouded in the mists of history. Prior to the 11th Century AD, the only notation of the city are that in the 3rd century AD there existed only a few houses along the Roman way that linked what are now the cities of Lisieux and Bayeux. By the tenth century AD, there were a few small villages centered around their parish churches, Holy Saviour (Saint Sauveur), and the church of St. John (Eglise de St. Jean) the medieval successors of which are both still standing in Caen.
By the eleventh century AD, William Duke of Normandy, puts Caen on the map by making the community the seat of his fortress built on a bluff overlooking the plain below and commanding a sweeping overlook of the river Orne region. The castle/fort served to protect the small community surrounding it and the small nucleus of a commercial center which was only beginning to develop.
Southern rampart of the Castle of Gillaume le Conquerant
Exterior view facing north across the remains of the moat.
Remains of the northern rampart of the stronghold castle of Guillaume le Conquerant
Interior view across the location of the "Dongon" which was demolished
In the year 1066, the same year William the Conqueror invaded England and became King of England, the Duke of Normandy at the request of the Pope, began the construction of an Abbey for men, and an Abbey for women. This enormous demonstration of faith, guaranteed the blessings of the Pope upon the marriage of William and Matilde who were in fact second cousins. Their sincerity and piety continue to be represented in the magnificent abbeys which stand even today and which house their respective final resting places.
The original University of Basse Normandie, established by the successors of William the Conqueror was completely destroyed by the bombing of the city of Caen in June 1944 and the ensuing conflagration which burned the library to the ground. Housing ancient texts from the middle ages on, the loss of this collection remains one of the greatest non-human collateral losses to the region and to the cultural history of France. In 1957, the city granted a large plot of land to the University so that it might be rebuilt in a new space north of the city center. The new campus, built in the "American style" represented a re-birth of the University and is symbolized by the huge Phoenix sculpture which greets all new students as they arrive for the first time at the Universite' de Basse Normandie.
The "Fenix" metal sculpture at the entrance to the University.
Raising from the ashes of its own demise, the Phoenix is an apt symbol for the University and for the city of Caen itself.
The First Day of Classes
A few of the students, all of whom seemed to be much younger than I am, waiting for classes to begin. There were students from a variety of nations and many regions of the US. In the background the "Pont" or bridge between the two large buildings which frame the entrance green.
The structure of the program provided for daily instruction in French language and culture as well as visits to important cultural attractions throughout the Normandy region.
Students are separated into four sections of instruction reflecting their their level of facility with expressive and receptive French, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
The Science Campus
Known for scientific research in France and around the globe, the University nurtures original experimentation and research in multiple fields of science in this building on campus.
Of special interest is the research being done on varieties of grain foods that may be grown in arid or desert conditions.
The Foreign Students Language Building
The building for the study of French for foreign students. Beautiful modern building; recently constructed.
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