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Bayeux (14 Calvados, Normandie) is famous for its norman tapestry - and more recently its proximity to the Normandy landing beaches of 1944.

The tapestry (or more an embroidery) is now housed in a museum (Musée de Guillaume le Conquerant) in the Medieval heart of the town and is open daily throughout the year. The tapestry is now recognised as a UNESCO “Memory of the World” and is 70 metres long, made in the 11th century. It celebrates the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

“Legendary animals, ships, Vikings, Norman and Saxon cavalries illustrate the exploits of William and his opponent Harold, another pretender to the throne of England.”

For more about the Tapestry see www.tapisserie-bayeux.fr
There are a number of events which make it even more worthwhile to visit during 2008:-

Every year Bayeux holds a D-Day Festival, appropriately from 5-7 June 2008 - on the night of the 5/6 June there is a celebration of the arrival of the invasion with music and fireworks at nearby Longues-sur-Mer, whilst on 7th June there is a whole series of parades of military and other vehicles from the time, plus a picnic in the park with music to celebrate the fact that Bayeux was the first French city to be liberated!

Then in July Bayeux hosts its impressive Medieval Festival with lots of colourful activities with knights and damsels in medieval costume, a medieval market, street performers, music, dancing concerts, and parades (5-6 July 2008).

In November the place celebrates the Festival “Le Gout du Large” - a festival to celebrate scallops (Coquilles St Jacques) together with the Festival de Chants de Marins d’Europe - or the European Singing Sailors Festival at nearby Port-en-Bessin! 8-9 November 2008 - so if singing and shellfish are your thing, this will be the place to be!

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