The Normandy beaches, the Bayeux Tapestry and maybe the resting place of Guillaume le Conquerant, L'Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen, are places to visit. But slightly out of Caen's centre-ville is L'Abbaye aux Dames, a nunnery founded by Matilda. Whist the conventual buildings were rebuilt in 18th century style (and now house Basse-Normandie's administrative offices) the Abbey Church (also known as L'Eglise de la Trinite) is the most perfect example of a Romanesque church. I find its proportions and unity of style quite breathtakingly beautiful. And if you dare to hum a note or two, you will find the acoustics amazing. I'd love to hear a good choir in there......
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I spent many years based in Caen, and entirely agree with ardcarp. L'Abbaye aux Hommes (St-Etienne) is the better known building, (I attended a memorable bilingual Evensong by Portsmouth Cathedral choir on the anniversary of D-day, ((broadcast by R3, I'm sure I have tape somewhere)), and Durufle's Fugue sur le Nom d'Alain, given as a voluntary, almost reduced me to tears in that context - the sheer anger at the waste of life was borne home to me) but the Abbaye aux Dames is a calm and often overlooked building. I heard many concerts there and the acoustics are just right for all but the largest forces (Un Requiem Allemand was rather too big). Do try to visit if you can, and don't miss St-Pierre either.Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
"the most perfect example of a Romanesque church"? I think I would vote either for Notre-Dame du Port (Clermont-Ferrand) or St-Austremoine (Issoire), but there are so many I have still to visit.
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