Stop 1 - Bayeux

Today started reasonably early and we left Paris around 8:15 am.  The traffic was horrendous both leaving and entering the City, so it took us quite some time to get out on the open roads.  Thankfully the speed limit is pretty generous out on the Highways (130 kph) so we were soon edging our way closer to Honfleur.  The countryside is lovely and green and the little villages dotted here and there are quite interesting. There are nice little signs on the highways with paintings of the town’s attractions telling us what town we are approaching. Once one leaves the highways the roads become quite narrow and windy, but we arrived in the pretty seaside town of Honfleur around 11 am. From seeing one of our friend’s photos of this little town we knew it was a lovely place to visit, and we were not disappointed.  The colourful, narrow houses/businesses lining the protected little harbour are sight to see.  There is an unusual Wooden Church, St Catherine’s, in the town and the interior was very attractive with stained glass windows etc. We walked around looking at the unusual shops and taking photos.  Then had a bite to eat before rejoining the coach for the continuation of our tour. 

We next visited Bayeux where a well known Cathedral overwhelms the town in size.  This is the church that William the conqueror built back in the 10-14^th century. It is Huge!! and quite nice inside. From here we ventured to the town’s Museum to view the Queen Matilda Tapestry….this tapestry is 70 metres long and depicts the story of how William conquered England and the trials he went through to do this.

After arriving at out Hotel in Bayeux, we checked in and then went to see the bunkers which the German’s built to repel the allied forces back in 1944. These bunkers are a little the worse for wear, but it was still easy to see how effective they must have been.  From here we travelled to Omaha Beach where the Allied troops landed all those years ago.  This town is awash with people, most wearing some sort of uniform of the various forces involved in this War as everyone arrives to help celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. This is to happen in 2 days time.  The beaches are still strewn with the landing craft and out to sea are the cement blocks which were used to give the boats safe harbour.  We found this all very interesting.  Another good day seeing the sights!!

Honfleur