The town of Bayeux is located amongst the green pastures and orchards of the department of Calvados, just a few kilometres from the magnificent sandy beaches and cliffs of northern France in the region of Lower Normandy. Boasting a beautifully preserved medieval town centre, the old market town of Bayeux is well known as the home of the amazing ‘Bayeux Tapestry’, a large medieval work of art which is considered to be one of the oldest surviving complete tapestries in the world. The tapestry is one of France’s best known tourist attractions and commemorates the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror. The picturesque old town stands on the banks of the River Aure, which adds to its appeal, and is permeated by narrow cobble-stoned streets, alleyways and courtyards that are lined with older townhouses and half-timbered medieval buildings. This old quarter is clustered around the 11th century Gothic-styled Cathedral Notre-Dame de Bayeux and is easily explored on foot. Bayeux is a popular visitor destination and provides not only an appealing historic town centre, but several places of interest such as historic monuments, artworks and museums. The town is also located in an ideal position to tour this beautiful part of France and visit the Second World War commemorative sites, and beaches of the Normandy Landings of June 1944.
Notable attractions in Bayeux include the Cathedral Notre-Dame which was originally consecrated in 1077 and built in the Romanesque style. The Bayeux Tapestry was commissioned for the opening of the Cathedral and was once housed in the church. Between the 12th and 15th centuries the cathedral was expanded and altered with the changes producing the beautiful Gothic-styled building which we see today. The Bayeux Tapestry is now exhibited in the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux which is located in the 17th century Bayeux Seminary, and includes the ‘Centre of William the Conqueror’ and a cinema. Other museums include the Baron Gerard Museum which is housed in the former Bishop’s Palace that is located adjacent to the Cathedral, and houses a collection of local porcelain, paintings and local lace work from the 15th century onwards - the Conservatoire de la Dentelle which exhibits the long history of lace making in Bayeux and is located in the Hotel du Doyen – and the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum which recounts the Battle of Normandy from the 6th June to 22nd August 1944. The museum focuses on the military and human drama of the war and includes tanks, jeeps and uniforms. Adjacent from the museum is located the British Commonwealth War Cemetery which is one of the largest in Normandy.
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