Guided tour of the Abbaye aux Hommes - in English

Discover with a guide one of the architectural masterpieces of medieval and 18th-century art founded by William the Conqueror!

Dominated by the abbey church of Saint-Etienne, a jewel of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, housing the tomb of its illustrious founder, the Abbaye aux Hommes is a central place in the history and life of the people of Caen. The guided tour takes visitors both through this history and through the prestigious sites, such as the cloister and the Salle des Gardes, that make up one of France's most beautiful town halls.

EXHIBITION JOSÉPHINE BAKER, FREE AND COMMITTED
From June 15 to November 3, the Scriptorium room of Caen's 18th-century Abbaye-aux-Hommes, now the town hall, will host an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Josephine Baker.

As part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Caen, the town has chosen to pay tribute to a woman through photography: Joséphine Baker, a multi-faceted personality. This American-born artist chose France, before committing herself to the Resistance, the defense of equal rights and the protection of the weakest. She will be inducted into the Pantheon in 2021. Through some thirty photos selected by Paris Match, the public can discover the free and committed life of Josephine Baker: an audacious and talented woman, present from the second issue of the magazine, published in April 1949. Several personal objects, video archives and one of her dresses will also be on view in this exhibition event.

Practical information

• From July 1 to August 31: Guided tours in English from Monday to Friday at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The time slot must be booked 48h in advance by calling The abbaye aux Hommes at 33(0)2 31 30 42 81.