Sightseeing in Bayeux - what to see. Complete travel guide

The French town of Bayeux is situated in the Normandy region not far from the sea. There are several reasons to visit this settlement. First of all, Bayeux is located close to major tourist routes, so it is a typical stop for everyone wishing to explore Calvados. Second, the town is not far from the sea, so it is a great place to relax at the seaside every day and enjoy a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere at the same time. Third, Bayeux is rich in cultural and historical landmarks. Finally, it would be a mistake not to mention the inimitable charm of this French town.

During the prehistoric times, Bayeux was the central part of the Baiocasses’ territory. Later, Romans occupied this land. This marked the start of a prosperity period for the town. Bayeux got a water pipe system and a gymnasium. Old historical records prove that this was an actively developing town. The first episcopacy appeared in the region in the 4th century. At that time, the town and surrounding areas were a part of the Saxon Shore. Charlemagne used the territory near Bayeux as an exile for Saxons who he managed to defeat during bloody battles.

In the 9th century, Bayeux becomes the property of Normandy Count Rollo. He conquered this land from Count Berengar who was later killed by Vikings. After that, Bayeux became the central settlement for the new rules of Normandy. Local people maintained their Scandinavian customs and traditions for many years. In the middle of the 14th century, during a war with England, Bayeux fell under the authority of the British twice. However, thanks to the efforts of Jean de Dunois in 1450, the region returned to its original owners. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The French town of Bayeux is still famous thanks to the invasion of Normans under the rule of legendary William the Conqueror in 1066. The military leader managed to take over England. The second event, which made the town famous, took place in 1944. Bayeux was the first city of the Battle of Normandy. It became the first settlement liberated from the fascist plague of the 20th century. Much to the happiness and excitement of local people, the town didn’t suffer much damage during the tough and bloody battles. Thanks to this, there are still medieval landmarks and attractions in Bayeux.

What attractions can Bayeux offer to its guests? The Bayeux Cathedral or Notre-Dame de Bayeux is the major and most important landmark in the town. The building works started in the 11th century and lasted almost four years. The building draws attention because of its gorgeous architecture and exceptional elegance. The cathedral is a gorgeous mix of gothic and Romanesque styles.

The 16th century, which brought the appearance of Huguenots in the region, made a significant impact on the look of the cathedral. The church lost most of its treasures – everything was stolen or destroyed. Despite this, the cathedral still has a beautiful ceiling and stunning arched apertures with tall columns.

The Bayeux Tapestry is one more iconic attraction of the French town. This is a skillfully made embroidered cloth created in the Middle Ages. The cloth is nearly 70 meters long and almost 50 centimeters tall. The embroidered pictures tell us the history of an old war between Normans and English. You will see the story of Harold II starting from his departure and until the end of his life during the Battle of Hastings.

Unfortunately, the final part of the tapestry is lost. It depicted the triumphal crowning of Wilhelm the Conqueror. In 2012, a group of scientists started a difficult task of restoring the last six meters of the tapestry that were destroyed with time. Thanks to their efforts, guests of the town can now see the complete story told by this fantastic piece of art. Initially, the tapestry was stored in the cathedral, but it was decided to transfer it to the museum in order to ensure its safety.

If you visit Bayeux at the beginning of summer, you can attend an annual festival dedicated to the Battle of Normandy and soldiers who freed the town from Nazis. Residents and guests of the town come to see a spectacular air show and the restored battle. The festival always includes short battle scenes and military-inspired games. In the evening, visitors are welcome to join a large picnic at the beach and enjoy marvelous fireworks.

In order to get to the fabulous French town of Bayeux, you need to take a train that departs from the Saint-Lazare train station in the capital of the country. You will need to make a change in Caen. It takes approximately three hours to reach Caen from Paris. After that, only a twenty-minute-long ride separates you from Bayeux. Besides this, it is possible to reach Caen by ferry that departs from the British port city of Portsmouth.