things to do
history and culture
Normandie is blessed with history and culture to satisfy history buffs and contemporary art lovers alike.
Historic Bayeux is obviously home of the world famous Bayeux Tapestry but the whole region has so much more to see and discover.
You’ll be spoilt for choice of things to do in Normandie and if you like history and culture, then you’re going to LOVE our local region with all it’s historic sites and museums, from ancient, roman remains and impressive medieval buildings through to all the WW2 sites and right up to date with the living history and art in Bayeux and many beautiful towns and ports for high-end shopping and sightseeing within an easy distance of Le Pressoir.
THE Bayeux Tapestry
Tapisserie de Bayeux tells the story of the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It is referred to as a ‘tapestry’ although it is in fact an embroidery. It is one of the supreme achievements of the Norman Romanesque and it’s survival over nine centuries is little short of miraculous, it’s exceptional length, the harmony and freshness of its colours and its exquisite workmanship make it endlessly fascinating.
You can follow the story of each scene with your own hand held device telling the story as you walk the length of the tapestry.
bayeux cathedral
This gem of Norman architecture is situated in the heart of the medieval city, consecrated on 14th July 1077, by Bishop Odo of Conteville, in the presence of his illustrious brother, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, it is stunning inside and out and is the centre piece of many events including the Medieval Festival in July. In 1794 a ‘Liberty Tree’ was planted at the cathedral’s feet as Bayeux’s citizens sang La Marseillaise in joyful celebration of their freedom from monarchic rule. And centuries later, as dusk falls on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout July and August, the cathedral and magnificent tree form the backdrop to an amazing sound and light show celebrating freedom.
D-Day sites & museums
The region’s coastline is dotted with fantastic museums and memorials, offering superbly presented interactive displays and video footage, which commemorate the soldiers of all nationalities that liberated so many. The area is forever respectful of what happened here and we think you need to experience them for yourself to really appreciate the history and debt we owe those that fought for our freedom.
One of our favourites is the D-Day experience near Carentan. It is very immersive and moving.
The British Normandy Memorial
The memorial sits on a hillside overlooking Gold Beach at Ver-sur-Mer.
The site has a temple-like structure containing 160 stone columns inscribed with the names of the lost, a bronze sculpture of three charging infantrymen by British sculptor David Williams-Ellis, and a wall featuring the names of those who were killed on D-Day itself.
The columns record the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944. This includes people from more than 30 different countries. Inscribed in stone, their names have never, until now, been brought together. The site also includes a French Memorial, dedicated to the memory of French civilians who died during this time.
the British cemetery
Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery of the Second World War in France and contains the grave of a single Victoria Cross recipient. Corporal Sidney Bates of 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment was posthumously awarded the British Army’s highest honour for his actions near Sourdeval on 4th August 1944 in an engagement with the 10th SS Panzer Division.
Vieux la Romaine
Vieux la Romaine is a fascinating archaeological site made up of of a museum, Roman garden and two restored houses – a wealthy noble’s residence and a more modest house and an ongoing excavation zone of the old forum.
Inside the museum you’ll be able to discover the day-to-day lives of the Gallo-Romans thanks to simple, ordinary items and more ornate treasures unearthed over 3 centuries.
The museum and the houses are set on the site of the former capital Aregenua, today known as ‘Vieux-la-Romaine’.
Unearth the secrets of archaeology with exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, etc.
Vieux-la-Romaine is also a town in the countryside where you can spend a day with the family with discoveries, walks, games or a picnic in the shade of the ancient garden.