Château de Caen (Caen Castle) is located in the centre of the city. William the Conqueror (PiP4) started construction of the citadel in 1060. Over the following centuries, the impressive fortress was reinforced and expanded, and is now considered one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.

After many wars throughout the centuries and the bombings at the end of the World War II (June/July 1944), all that remains now are the contours of the former castle, the moat and the defence towers. La Salle de l'Échiquier, formerly the courtroom of the Duchy of Normandy, still stands proudly. The Romanesque Église Saint-Georges, now an information centre on the progress of the restoration work, was the parish church of the castle's inhabitants.

Within the immense grounds, there are two museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Museum of Fine Arts of Caen) and the Musée de Normandie (Museum of Normandy).