Bayeux
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| Région | Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) |
| Département | Calvados |
| Arrondissement | 6 cantons 126 communes 6, 022 habitants |
| Canton | 16 communes 20,744 habitants |
| Habitants | Bayeusains or Bajocasses |
| Population (1999) | 15,403 |
| Postal code | 14400 |
| INSEE code | 14047 |
| Agglomeration (2004) | Communauté of communes 28,366 habitants |
| Area | 7 km² |
Bayeux is a small town and commune in the Calvados département, in Normandy, northern France.
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Administration
Bayeux is a sous-préfecture of Calvados. It is the chief-town of the arrondissement of Bayeux and of the canton of Bayeux.
Location
Bayeux is located just a few kilometres from the coast of the English Channel, and between the city of Caen to the east and the base of the Cotentin Peninsula to the west.
History
The area around Bayeux is called the Bessin which was a province of France until the French Revolution. The name of the town and of its region come from the Celtic tribe of Bajocasses who inhabited the area.
During the Second World War Bayeux was one of the first French towns to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy, and on June 16, 1946 General Charles de Gaulle made his first important speech on liberated French soil in Bayeux.
Sights
The town is a major tourist attraction, most well known for the Bayeux tapestry, made to commemorate the Norman conquest of England in 1066, which is displayed in a museum in the town centre.
Miscellaneous
Bishops
Bishops of Bayeux include:
Births
Bayeux was the birthpace of:
- Saint Marcouf
- Alain Chartier (c. 1392-c. 1430), poet and political writer
External links
- City council website (http://www.mairie-bayeux.fr/)
- Tourist office website (http://www.bayeux-tourism.com/)da:Bayeux