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Caen stone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caen stone or Pierre de Caen, is a light creamy-yellow Jurassic limestone.
It was used in the construction of the late 11th century austere Norman Romanesque Church of Saint-Étienne, at the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (on the east side of Caen), that was founded by William the Conqueror. His tomb is located there.
The Norman Romanesque Church of La Trinité, at the Abbaye-aux-Dames (on the west side of the city), was founded by William's wife, Matilda. Her tomb is located there. Both structures were unscathed by the war.
Both abbeys are beautiful structures built with Caen stone, in Norman Romanesque style.
This stone was also a popular building material with the Normans in England. It was used in both cathedral and castle at Norwich, where it was brought by boat up the River Wensum. But the most famous building in Caen stone is the Tower of London.