Today, let’s meet Marie, a passionate guide who will introduce you to Bayeux and show you all sides of the area! If you choose us to travel in this area, there is a high chance you meet her: read the portrait of one of our best guides in Bayeux.
Marie is a Guide Conférencier (this is a University degree professional guide qualification, training in subjects like and guiding). She created her own agency with a friend. The two partners carried out in-depth research and devised a visit of Old Bayeux to make their customers discover its secrets. They endlessly acquire dusty books and other “great-finds” that enhance their knowledge of history and the anecdotes that enliven the tour. Both Marie and her business partner manage concurrently the emails and calls. They are accommodating and adapt to last minute changes whenever it is possible.
We started it six years ago because at that time there were no specialized guiding of Bayeux. Bayeux is such a special place and there are so many stories to tell.
It has been very tough. Your company for instance had reserved many private tours, but due to the covid-19, all have been cancelled. So we turned to French visitors and July and August were quite good. But we miss our English-speaking guests. Especially in May, June and September… outside the French Holiday months.
We have learned a lot from our French customers over the past few months. This will allow us to improve ourselves in order to welcome our future English-speaking customers in the best way possible.
So many! For instance, I like to stand on the bridge admiring the famous view of the Tourist Office, with the water wheel and the Cathedral in the back. It’s for me the occasion of explaining a few important things about Bayeux.
Why such a big Cathedral in a rather small town? Why Bayeux was not bombed during the WW2? Why the first inhabitants lived along the river? What was the reason for the creation of the city and why there?
Otherwise, the Liberty tree, the facade of the Cathedral, and the medieval streets are the best spots where I have a lot to say, being in beautiful surroundings.
I should add that we have three gorgeous museums: The Tapestry museum first. I love admiring this embroidery made in the year 1070 (!!) and even if I’ve seen it many times, there is always something new to discover. Secondly, the Museum of Art and History,which is next to the Cathedral as it is in the old Episcopal Palace dating from the 13thcentury. It contains many beautiful and important works, but two are exceptional: one is the bobbin lace and the other is china better known as “Porcelaine de Bayeux”. The third museum is a war themed one located close to the English cemetery, and of course this is also very popular.
The Tapestry of course!! Which is an embroidery…
Knowledge, listening and a touch of humor… Every guest is different and as a guide you have to guess what they are interested in order to make the tour a pleasant moment for everyone.
We are very lucky in Bayeux because the sea is not far. Port en Bessin, a fishing port, is only 13 kms away. So the sea products are very present. Personally I love scallop shells… If you eat meat, the Bessin (name of Bayeux surroundings) is famous for its cattle. For the drinks, of course, the local cider is unmissable if you are in Normandy. And if you want a stronger drink, the calvados brandy (40°) will be your way-to-go.
Normandy cheeses also are very appreciated such as Camembert, Pont L’Eveque, Livarot…
In a way they are all memorable for one reason or the other. I invite you to come and discover why and to what extent they are indeed memorable.
If you come to Bayeux, I definitely recommend you to see the tapestry. It’s a must-see here! You can’t miss it! On the tour, I tell about its history, creation, exhibition, adventures during the Revolution and the WW2 etc… There is so many things to say about it, and so many things to learn. Finally, at the end of the tour, I leave my guests in the museum for them to admire her quietly.
Check out one of our itineraries where you may encounter Marie The Best of the Northern French Coast in a week and do not hesitate to contact us for a 100% customizable directly on our website.
If you enjoyed this portrait of one of our local insider, check out our portrait of Alex: a specialist of Lyon.
