Caen

Caen is a commune of northwestern France. It is the préfecture of the Calvados département and the capital of the Basse-Normandie (Lower-Normandy) region. The city has a population of 115 000 inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 199 490[1]. Its inhabitants are called the caennais (and caennaise(s) for women). It is located 15 km (6 m) inland from the English Channel (French: La Manche (IPA: [mɑ̃ʃ]), "the sleeve"). Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, and for the Battle for Caen; heavy fighting that took place in and around Caen during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, destroying much of the town.