Normandie recommendations

I can't say much about your other choices but we picked Bayeux. Not only does it allow you to be close to the dday beaches. But you also get a chance to see the Bayeux Tapestries. The artwork itself is simply breathtaking and the museum built to house it is very well done. It was one of my highlights in Northern France.

With one day I'd stay in Bayeux, take a Battlebus tour and see the Doomsday tapestry in Bayeux. You'd be able to pretty much maximize you day in this way. Reserve ahead for the tour if possible.

Marie, are we talking about the same tapestry? I've never heard it described as "Doomsday Tapestry". The one we saw describes the conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy. Certainly anything but a doomsday for the Normans ;-) The English might have a different perspective but at least this exceptional piece of art describes history from the point of view of the victor and was made by the victors to be displayed in a Norman cathedral.

Here is a link to the museum with information on the exhibits as well as further links to tourism information in Bayeux:

http://www.tapestry-bayeux.com

We just returned from Normandie and took the 2-day Battlebus tour which begins in Bayeux which makes Bayeux the perfect location to stay. The tour was excellent. Try to stay more than one day if you can as there is a lot to see; it's worth it!

Another vote for Bayeux, the tapestry, and Battlebus tours.

My bad...it is NOT the doomsday tapestry but an account of the conquest. The doomsday book was the first detailed accounting of who was what and who owed how much to whom in England instituted by William. (Shoot me please if I'm wrong on this as well...but in a not painful or deathly way).

Marie - It's the Domesday Book and was the census of William the Conqueror that you referred to. It's a valuable reference to the nature and structure of England's population just after (well, 20 years after) the Norman Conquest.

John I agree with the many suggestions of Bayeux, but you know (don't you?) that Normandy is not exactly enroute to Bordeaux from Paris. If I were doing it I'd probably take th train to Bayeux and rent a car for the drive to Bordeaux.

I also vote for Bayeux as being the best and most logical town to stay in. Hotel D'Argouges in Bayeux is exceptionally wonderful, I highly recommend it. It's in RS France Guide Book.

Another vote for Bayeux and Hotel D'Argouges. We loved our time there as well as the Battlebus tour.

Bayeux, and try to arrange to stay for more than one night. The region is large, the beaches and memorials cover many miles. Can't say enough about the three days we spent with the Battlebus Tour folks seeing and listening to all the remarkable stories of 1944 Normandy.