The moat

  The oldest sections of the castle moat date from the 11th century. They are of major interest for the history of the site as they are certainly the first large open quarry in the area for mining the limestone commonly known as "Caen stone". From the bottom of the moat, where vegetable and mineral lie harmoniously side by side in amazing stillness, the visitor can admire the imposing mass of the castle and keep towering overhead. The effects produced by the sunlight on the fortification walls at different times of day are enough to explain the interest shown down the centuries in this stone with its incomparable grain and its worldwide influence. To supply stone for restoration work on William the Conqueror’s castle and also the church of St Pierre, Caen city council decided to start quarrying the stone again from a deposit a few miles south of the city.