Our primary reaction to Bayeux could be most easily summed up as "that's it?" It is a city of approximately 4 non-residential blocks, and very few residential homes as well. The cathedral, the center of the town, can be seen from anywhere within Bayeux, and we crossed most of the town in our 15-minute walk from the train station to the hotel.
Located near the northern coast of France, Bayeux was a very cold and rather foggy. It also seemed to be filled with elderly American tourists who spoke no French, but who worked under the theory that as long as you raise your voice loudly enough, French people will understand English. Ugh.
There are, however, some impressive and historical sights in and around Bayeux. The Bayeux Tapestry is, of course, one of the first to spring to mind. 70 meters of embroidery, narrating the history of William the Conqueror, focusing on Harold's betrayal to him, leading to the Norman Invasion. This stitched narration is amazingly intricate, both in handiwork and in the story it tells, and an audio guide (provided) explains the work part-by-part, drawing attention to some of the smaller, easier-to-miss details (i.e."you can tell Harold was caught by surprise when he came off the boat because he hasn't had time to put his shoes on yet"). Oh, of course.
Another well-known draw to the area is the group of D-Day beaches and cemeteries to soldiers of WWII. We visited the American cemetery and the Omaha Beach, though nearly knocked over by the wind in the latter. It's hard to imagine an army (or many in this case) trying to mobilize itself here, let alone fight the decisive battle of a war.
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