Falaise (French pronunciation: [falɛz] ⓘ) is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

He was frequently referred to as William the Bastard, on account of his being born out of wedlock to Herleva from Falaise, reputedly a tanner's daughter.

[10] The town was also the place that Rabbi Yom Tov of Falaise, grandchild of Rashi, held his rabbinical court.

[12] Two-thirds of Falaise was destroyed by allied bombing before the town was taken by a combined force of Canadian and Polish troops.

[13] The main attraction for the town is the Château de Falaise, which was used by Norman royalty as the seat of the Dukes of Normandy, until the 13th century, when it was captured by King Philip II of France.