Bayeux

We have been so lucky with our accommodation and Bayeux is no exception.  We are in a 1930s boutique B&B which is just enchanting - not a word I normally use, but it fits!  There is a beautiful semi-circular stained glass window at the entrance and a very elegant dining room where we have breakfast. We are seconds away from the cathedral and just around the corner from the tapestry.

I didn't have high expectations of the Bayeux tapestry. We've seen so many on our travels so although I expected it to have something extra about it, it was so much more than I expected.  It is 68 metres long and depicts the rise of William the conqueror to the throne of England in scene after scene of the events.  It is done on linen, using wool so is quite different from the ones we've seem in the chateaus. We had an audio guide - all I can see is it is a much more interesting way to learn history!

We had bought a three-museum pass so we moved on to the Museum of the Battle of Normandy.  Whilst this display didn't have the wow factor of some we have been to since most of the displays were static and there was heaps of text to read, it was still interesting.

Our final visit was to an art museum, with beautiful displays of lace for which Bayeux is known.

And lastly, what would a town be without a cathedral?  This one is spectacular, and built in the eleventh century.  It, and in fact the whole town escaped bombing during WW2 which is miraculous considering how close it was to the action in the liberation of France.

I really like Bayeux - my favourite town to stay in so far.  We've visited lots of towns as tourists, but this one is clean, charming and full of character.  Plus the streets are not rabbit warrens!

An interesting thing I have noticed is that France does not seem 'over-commercialised'. There is no pressure to buy at the souvenir shops, or in the markets.  There's also no pressure to tip as there was in London restaurants.  Refreshing.