The medieval town of Bayeux, in Calvados, is one of the few towns in the area to have been spared during the bombings of 1944. Its historic centre is therefore remarkably well preserved, and today visitors can enjoy the treasures of an authentic heritage. The centre of Bessin's capital reveals old cobbled streets lined with ancient timber-framed houses and elegant mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Tourist Office provides an itinerary so visitors don't miss any of this exceptional architectural heritage.
The Bayeux tapestry, known as Queen Matilda's tapestry, is an integral part of the town's identity and occupies the whole of the William the Conqueror Centre. This fresco embroidered in the 11th century with wool thread, 70 metres long and 50 centimetres tall, depicts the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy. This thousand-year-old masterpiece, which was initially intended to adorn the newly built cathedral, is now listed on UNESCO's "Memory of the World" register.
In Old Bayeux, the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, dating from the 11th century, is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France and is the pride of the town. It combines the various styles of the three centuries in which it was built, and is particularly remarkable for its beautiful façade with five portals adorned with sculptures, its vast nave and its carillon that rings every quarter of an hour. It was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda.
In Bayeux, culture is also a priority. The Baron Gérard Museum of Art and History displays some beautiful collections of art and local crafts, and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy presents a fascinating exhibition about the military operations of 1944. At the Lace Conservatory, you can learn about a centuries-old skill which was initiated by the Sisters of Providence in the 17th century and eventually fell out of favour in the 1950s.
Visitors can take a detour via the British Military Cemetery, the final resting place of over 4,000 Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives to liberate France. As for lovers of nature and the great outdoors, they can stroll along the charming path by the River Aure, or discover the weeping beech tree, classified as a Remarkable Tree, on a walk around the botanical garden in Bayeux.