You won't get bored in Bayeux ! by GringoGeol
There is PLENTY to see in and around Bayeux, even wthout a car. The town is very compact, inside the Ring Road ("Le By-Pass" to the locals), approx 1 X 2 km in size. And, contrary to popular myth, the locals are VERY friendly ! For art nuts, the guidebook (get one free at any large shop) lists the Musee Baron Gerard (porcelain and lace paintings), two lace-making workshops, a china-porcelain workshop,and a tapestry-stitching workshop. Also interesting exterior architecture on numerous old buildings, to say nothing of the Bayeux Tapestry. You can get by public transport (inquire at Tourist Office or Hotel Churchill) to Avranches and Mont St-Michel (a must-see), where the Avranches museum has 100 medieval illuminated manuscripts from Mt. St-M.
There are many shops selling grocs, cheese, breads, wine, cider, etc in Bayeux on Rue Larcher-Rue Foch just behind the Cathedral. Many inexpensive sidewalk cafes on Rue St-Jean going east from the River. Be sure to drink plenty of apple cider, a Normandy specialty, better than beer. Also, Camembert cheese in made in the nearby town of that name.
Good place to stay - the "Manoir a Pont Rouge", 2 km south of the Cathedral, in St. Loup Hors. It's a British-run B&B, in a 1700's manor house, charming and relatively inexpensive. See posts on VirtualTourist.com about it.
Not interested in WW II ? You WILL be, after taking one of the fascinating tours offered by www.Battlebus.fr These are designed for everyday tourists, not militaria buffs, and are ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING AND INSPIRING.
Enjoy !
