"Bayeux - beyond the tapestry" a Bayeux Travel Page by ranger49

This historic medieval, small city was the first city in France to be liberated on 7th June 1944. The occupying forces were so overtaken by surprise that the city was re-taken by the Allies without significant damage to the town or to its treasures and until the liberation of Paris it served as the Capital of Free France
Our first visit many years ago was on a very wet day and our sole intent was to see The Tapestry.
We spent nearly half an hour looking for a carpark and then got rather wet before starting the Tour.

We did not enjoy the experience of being moved with, and by the crowds, who like us were wet and frustrated by the rushed viewing.
There were few opportunities to pause for a while to linger over a particular episode of the history told by those ancient needlewomen.

Our second visit was more successful, we drove into the City on a beautiful Saturday morning in October just before mid-day. We found an on-road parking space in a side street opposite the entrance to the Cathedral.
But where were all the people? Maybe the usual lunchtime calm?
As we walked up the road we had our first glimpse of the Cathedral and immediately opposite just the right place for lunch.
Afterwards we found all the missing people - in the queue waiting to view the Tapestry..

On our third, most recent visit (Oct.2009) we arrived mid-morning, had no problem finding a parking place and enjoyed a walk around the busy streets.

If you wander away from the main shopping street there are many interesting little shops to be found in unexpected corners, This wine store was not far behind the Tourist office.

This was one of the few shops in a maze of narrow streets away from the buzz of traffic and commerce again,