A DAY IN BAYEUX: March 16, 2011

While in Normandy, we stay in Bayeux--as it is close to the American D-Day Landing sites. We find that Bayeux is also a great destination in and of itself. One of the first towns liberated during the battle of Normandy, Bayeux is steeped in history--home to a Norman Gothic cathedral and the world's most celebrated piece of needlework: the Bayeux Tapestry. Since it had no factories or military bases in 1944, Bayeux was never bombed during the war, leaving its massive Notre-Dame cathedral (as large and lovely as Paris' Notre-Dame) and historic landmarks intact.

We set one day aside to tour the sites in Bayeux. We begin with the 225-foot Bayeux tapestry, a scroll stitched in 1067, which depicts the epic story of William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066. The tapestry was probably commissioned from Saxon embroiderers by the Count of Kent (who was also the Bishop of Bayeux and the stepbrother of William the Conqueror), to be displayed in his newly-built Cathedrale Notre-Dame in Bayeux. Despite its age, the tapestry is in remarkably good condition and provides a great record of the clothes, weapons, ships and lifestyles of the day.

After exploring the ancient cathedral, we step across the cobblestone street to the Lace Conservatory where skilled artisans create Bayeux's intricate handmade lace, just as they did in the 1600s. From there, we walk across town to the British Military Cemetery, the final resting place of 4,144 fallen soldiers. The memorial's Latin inscription reads, "In 1944, the British came to free the homeland of William the Conqueror." While contemplating the supreme sacrifice made by these brave young men, we shed tears and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy.