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Bayeux is a small town in Normandy, northern France, just a few kilometres from the coast and between the city of CaenCaen Region Basse-Normandie Departement Calvados Arrondissement24 cantons287 communes389,973 habitants Cantonschief town of 9 cantons(13 common, 162,707 habitants) HabitantsCaennais Population (1999)117,157 habitants Intercommunality ( 2004) Agglomeration to the east and the base of the Cotentin PeninsulaThe Cotentin Peninsula juts out into the English Channel from Normandy towards England, forming part of the north-west coast of France. Geography It is part of the Armorican Massif and lies between the estuary of the River Vire and Mont Saint Michel Bay. to the west. The arrondissement includes RyesRyes, pronunciation: REE is a commune of the departement of Calvados, in the Basse-Normandie region, in France. Its postal code is 14400. The INSEE code is 14552. Administration The canton of Ryes counts 25 communes: Arromanches-les-Bains, Asnelles, Banvi. The area around Bayeux is called the BessinThe Bessin is an area in Normandy, France, corresponding to the territory of the Bajocasse tribe of Celts who also gave their name to the city of Bayeux, central town of the Bessin. History The territory was annexed by the Duchy of Normandy in 928. The Be which was a province of France until the French RevolutionThe period of the French Revolution in the history of France covers the years between 1789 and 1799, in which democrats and republicans overthrew the absolute monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church perforce underwent radical restructuring. While France wo. The name of the town and of its region come from the Celtic tribe of Bajocasses who inhabited the area.
The town is a major tourist attraction, most well known for the Bayeux tapestry, made to commemorate the Norman conquest of England in 1066Events January 6 Harold II is crowned King of England the day after Edward the Confessor dies. Tostig Godwinson and Harald Hardraada of Norway invade England. September 25 Harold II defeats Tostig and Harold Hardraada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, kil, which is displayed in a museum in the town centre.
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.
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