Equestrian Statue of William the Conqueror

Bronze statue of the Conqueror and his six Norman predecessors below the castle walls

The bronze equestrian statue of William the Conqueror stands in the square below the castle, surrounded by figures of six Norman dukes who preceded him. It was cast by sculptor Louis Rochet and unveiled in 1851, a century after the fashion for commemorating medieval rulers had taken hold across France.

The statue is a natural gathering point and a good orientation spot: stand here and you have the castle above you, the old town behind you, and the valley below. The composition of ruler and predecessors is unusual and worth examining slowly — each ducal figure below William has its own character and posture.

things to do sight monument
A story
The statue was unveiled in 1851, created by sculptor Louis Rochet. Around the base stand six statues of William's ducal predecessors, from Rollo the Viking founder of Normandy onward. Rollo himself is buried in Rouen Cathedral — a detail that connects Falaise's castle hill to the entire sweep of Norman history.

Other places in Things to Do