Around the Year One Thousand, the dukes’ fortress is particularly effective and protects a vast domain. Built on the model of “motte and bailey” castles, the fortress is therefore protected by solid ramparts and dominated, at the top of the rocky spur, by a “keep”, the base of which at least is built with stone. As a place of power for the new rulers of the country, the city is the place of birth of the most famous of them: William the conqueror (1027-1087). At this time, Falaise is a prosperous town that has 3,000 or 4,000 inhabitants.

We all have our own idea of what the Vikings were like – flaming red hair, beards, weapons, warships and warriors may come to mind. Legends, literature and films all paint the Vikings, the forebears of modern-day Normans, as barbaric invaders, but what were they really like? We went to find out for ourselves at Parc Ornavik near Caen…