Falaise, Calvados, France - Definition and Overview

Falaise is a commune in the Calvados département, in the Basse-Normandie administrative région, in Normandy, north-western France. Population (1982) 8,820; (1990) 8,387; (1999) 8,797.

Geography

Falaise lies on the Ante River, about 20 miles (32 kilometres) southeast of Caen.

History

The town was the birthplace of William I the Conqueror, first of the Norman kings of England. The castle (12th-13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the dukes of Normandy.

The town is known for the battle of the "Falaise pocket" during the Allied reconquest of France in August 1944 in which two German armies were encircled and destroyed. 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 Canadian and Polish troops. Falaise was largely restored after the war.

Miscellaneous

Exhibits at the Museum of the Battle of the Falaise Pocket include several military vehicles, pieces of artillery, and other weapons.

Weekly market: Saturdays.

External link

• Normandieweb on Falaise (http://www.normandieweb.org/14/falaise/falaise) (in French)