BestPrivateTours.com - Bayeux & Caen

OVERVIEW

Visit two Norman cities with close ties to William the Conqueror, first Norman King of England.

You'll start your private tour in the city of Bayeux to view the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry; an embroidered cloth which tells the story of William's invasion and conquest of England to become king.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Afterward you'll pay a visit to the beautiful Cathedral Notre-Dame of Bayeux with its mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.

After free time for lunch, you'll travel to nearby Caen, favored city of William and his queen, Matilde, where they were responsible for many building projects which you'll visit. You'll start with a short visit to William's castle which is a the center of the city, one of the largest castles in Western Europe.

Next, you'll visit the Abbaye-aux-Dames (Women's Abbey) then the Abbaye-aux-Hommes (Men's Abbey) built by William and Matilda to atone for the "sin" of their marriage.

Finally, you'll visit the Church of St. Etienne, church of the Men's Abbey. Built in the Norman Romanesque style, it demonstrates elements that anticipate Gothic architecture.

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