Caen in particular was almost completely flattened by allied bombing, which is hard to believe when you visit the city today. Falaise still retains much of its old world charm and has not succumbed too much to modern buildings. The rustic charm still thrives in the small villages and hamlets dotted all over Normandy, in addition, much of rural England still has that 'olde worlde' feel.
Well you better come over, you keep postponing your trip. By the time you eventually make it, even the modern buildings will be ancient.