Normandy: Bayeux

I was very excited to see the Bayeux Tapestry!  Being fascinated by British history, the Bayeux Tapestry seems like a must see, since it's an account of the Norman Conquest.  

Off the bus, down the street, through the arch, and to the building that houses the tapestry.  

Okay, I have to pause here for a moment.  "Bayeux Tapestry"  It's a two word name that is doubly inaccurate.  It was created in England, not in Normandy.  And it's an embroidery, not a tapestry.  But it hung in Bayeux cathedral for many years, so the Bayeux part of the name is understandable.  A tapestry, is a woven piece.  This embroidery is a story told with thread on a piece of existing cloth.  

The guy outside was torching weeds with a little flamethrower, which seemed like a really effective way of dealing with weeds in rock, but maybe not such a good idea at home.  

We went inside, and I was crushed to discover that we couldn't take any pictures!  

You put on the little audio guide and move through 58 talking points, where the voice narrates what you're seeing.  You can explore it here:  Bayeux Tapestry.  

After viewing the tapestry, there's a gift shop, of course.  I bought a book about it, so I'd be able to show the kids what it looks like.  Then there was time to walk about picturesque Bayeux.  

I found a French cat.  I missed Grumman.  

The shop housed inside the poppy windows has poppy everything.  More like an upscale boutique than the usual tourist kitsch.  Silk scarves, not beer can cozies.  I bought a sweatshirt.  

This section of town just screams "quaint."  I found myself humming, "Belle" the song about a provincial town from Beauty & the Beast, which was set in France.

The Notre Dame cathedral of Bayeux.  

Here's a good video to give you a quick (under 4 minutes) look at the cathedral.  

It is thought that Odo (William's half brother) commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry to decorate the cathedral.  William made Odo the Bishop of Bayeux prior to the Conquest.  

It lived here for 700 years.  

Poppies are a big thing here.  

I'm kicking myself now for not going down into the crypt, just to see it.  But, this was the same day as both Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, and I skipped it at the time.  

Still a little time before I have to board the bus.  Found a bench to watch the water.  This might be the Aure river, or it could be some smaller tributary.  

But it was pretty, either way.  

Back on the bus.  Another monument.  

And some more sprinkles

I'm told that's a Sherman.  

Back to the ship, and thus, the sun sets on the last night of my cruise.  

I'm a little embarrassed that it taking me twice as long to blog about my trip as the trip itself actually lasted!  And I still have a couple of other adventures since then to share with you.  We'll close the Europe trip with the next post, hopefully tomorrow!