BAYEUX
When you get close to Bayeux, the three spires of its beautiful cathedral appear in distance, you cannot miss it. It is one of the rare cities not destroyed during World War II in Normandy even if it is so close to the D Day Beaches. You will enjoy visiting it or even staying in.
In the middle of the "Baiocassi" celtic tribe's territory, a rich agricultural area, the city was probably built by the Romans, after the invasion of the Gaules ; a lot of remains of the proud "Augustodorum" have been discovered and some are displayed in the Museum of Art and History Baron Gérard (MAHB). The "city of the Baiocassi", or Bayeux was evangelized as soon as the 4th C., and became a major bishopric.
Then came Normans, nowadays known as "Vikings", lead by the Norwegian Rollo, who imposed themselves on the county of Rouen, later named "Normandia", or "Normans' Land". Rollo had captured Bayeux, and Poppa, the daughter of Count Béranger de Bayeux became his "frilla" (major concubine). Both of them are the ancestors of the Dukes of Normandy, the most famous of them being William the Conqueror.
Bayeux was at this time one of most powerful cities in Normandy, especially in terms of religion : it was the second most important bishopric after Rouen, the size and the beauty of Bayeux cathedral witnesses it.
During the following centuries, Bayeux was rather preserved and is now really worth a guided-tour. With your guide you will walk along narrow waving streets, between medieval or Renaissance houses, sometimes half-timbered, sometimes in stone, visit the Bayeux cathedral, and hear about the famous Bayeux Tapestry that was suspended in the nave each summer until the French Revolution. It tells the Norman story of the Conquest of England. It's now visible in a museum nearby
Bayeux also offers many charming places to stay : many hotels, or Bed and Breakfast. It's a good place to settle down for a few days if you plan a visit of western part of Normandy such as D Day Beaches, Mont St Michel, Caen or Falaise for example.
