Private Tour: Bayeux, Honfleur and Pays d' Auge

Although it was the first large town liberated by the allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy.

Without a doubt, one of the most impressive sites is the cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town built between the 11th and 13th century under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. This monumental architectural wonder using both roman and gothic styles continued to evolve right up until the end of the 18th century.

You can't hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. This 11th century "comic strip" is one of the best and most complete sources for historians to learn about and analyze medieval costumes, boat building and strategies that were employed in Norman and British camps leading up to the battle of Hasting.

Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of Nazi occupation.

Schedule Details Departs: Daily Departure Point: Tour departs from Place du Quebec (behind Churchill Hotel) or Bayeux Train Station Departure Time: 9:00am Return details: Tour returns to original point of departure at approximately 6:00pm Hotel Pickup: Hotel pick up is available from centrally located Bayeux and Caen hotels. Please advise your full hotel name and address at time of booking. Itinerary:

A visit to Honfleur is in itself a complete history lesson, from the 100 years war, through the voyages of discovery to the New World during the 17th century to the art of the impressionists. As a fortified during the second half of the 14th century. You can still go through the old "Caen Gate", the last remaining piece of the original fortifications, most of which were demolished as the town and port were being expanded in the 17th century.

In the medieval part of the town, known as the "Quartier de l'Enclos", you can see the "Rue de la Ville", the old main commercial and trading street in the town, still showing its medieval architecture and buildings from a bygone era, such as the old salt store. As you go around this area you can go back in time as you walk along Prison Street and step onto Little Butchers Street making your way to the Eglise Saint Etienne, dating from the 14th century, making it the oldest church in the town.

On the other side of the "Caen Gate" and "La Lieutenance" rises the Eglise Sainte Catherine, the largest wooden church in France, built by the ship carpenters of Honfleur shortly after the 100 years war. You can see that the bell tower of the church was put, rather unusually, on the top of the bell ringer's house. Honfleur is also a favorite retreat for painters who come to paint the harbor and the colorful 17th century houses surrounding Sainte Catherine's Quay, the same images that can be seen in the paintings of Claude Monet or his friend and mentor, Eugene Boudin.

You can also explore the area of Normandy known as the Pays D'Auge, a rich, green fertile farming area that gives the farmers everything they need to produce all of the local specialties such as Camembert cheese, Calvados liqueur and cider. Whether you are just curious or a knowledgeable connoisseur you can visit cheese factories, breweries and distilleries on your route by just stopping and going in, where you will be given a tasting session of the specialties produced there. There are numerous villages in this rural region of France that personify the image of the region, such as Beuvron en Auge, classed as one of the Top 100 Most Beautiful Villages in France, Pierrefitte en Auge and Crevecoeur en Auge, the most famous thanks to its magnificent chateau.

Additional Information