Old Saint Sauveur Church (Eglise du Vieux Saint Sauveur)

The Old Saint Sauveur Church is a fascinating medieval ruin in the heart of Caen, standing on Place Saint-Sauveur since the late 11th century. The building showcases a rare architectural evolution spanning four centuries - from its Romanesque tower to the 15th-century Gothic nave, the exquisite Flamboyant Gothic choir built between 1530-1546, and an 18th-century classical facade. Desacralized during the French Revolution in 1791, the church served as a grain and butter market before being classified as a Historic Monument in 1951. Although the interior cannot be regularly visited due to its ruined state, the exterior remains an impressive example of Norman ecclesiastical architecture. The church occasionally hosts cultural exhibitions and artistic events - check with Caen Tourism for current programming. The adjacent Place Saint-Sauveur, documented since 1026, adds historical context to this atmospheric corner of medieval Caen.