Day 4- Sunday 4/10 Bayeux, France

Today we went to see "La Tapisserie de Bayeux" or The Tapestry of Bayeux.  This 70 meter, (229 feet) linen tapestry is like the first graphic novel. With its embroidered pictures it tells the story of William Duke of Normandy's conquest to win the crown of England in the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066.  I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the real tapestry so here is a picture of a picture of the tapestry.

Normandy was originally named this because of the "Northmen" or "Norse" that conquered that area...in other words, Vikings. William Duke of Normandy (and later known as William the Conqueror) used boats much like the original Viking boats to get his men, horses and supplies to England.

Our next stop was the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Bayeux.  It is a beautiful Gothic church built in the Norman style.  It was started in the 11th century but had major damage in the 12th century and was rebuilt in the 13th century.

Bayeux is on the Aure River and used the water for power, transportation etc. for centuries.  This is "The Hospital Mill"

We then traveled to 2 beach side towns that we had been to and really enjoyed the first time we were in France.  Although it was chilly and windy, it was enjoyable to be by the sea.  

Port en Bessin is a small bay town whose major industry is fishing. 

-Arromanches is also a small village by the sea in Northern France

-floating concrete structures were brought by the British to form walls and piers to create an artificial port to aid in the landing of supplies and troops to aid in the Invasion of Normandy after D-Day. 

We ate at a small bayside cafe and enjoyed looking out at the water.  I had...

-Croque Monsieur (a baked sandwich with ham and cheese and more grated cheese on top) Normandy is known for its delicious Cheese!  My sandwich was served with Frites (fries) and unlike the US, the condiment of choice for fries in France is often mayonnaise.  This mayo, had a spicy kick to it.