Anyone who knows William knows he adores learning about history. Whether he’s reading Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, exploring The Children of Ash and Elm, or diving into another Teddy Roosevelt biography, William loves uncovering new stories about the past.

While the Bayeux Tapestry isn’t a book, it’s the closest thing we have to a contemporary written history of the Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. It has taught historians a lot about the customs, clothing, and ships of the time. As a critical primary source for understanding European history, the Bayeux Tapestry was a must-see for us.

Knowing that the tapestry is extremely fragile and that a new museum was in the works, we decided to take a short, two-day weekend to visit it instead of waiting for another trip to Europe to see it.

We left at 7 am on Friday, July 28, taking a train to Paris, then to Caen, arriving around 2 in the afternoon. We checked into our hotel and started exploring Caen. Our first stop was L’Abbaye-aux-Hommes. Founded by William and his wife, Matilda, to appease Pope Leo IX, who opposed their marriage, it was redesigned in the 1200s, destroyed in the 1500s, and rebuilt in the 1700s. William is still buried here, though most of his bones have been lost over time.

Next, we walked to the Abbey of Sainte-Trinite, the female counterpart to L’Abbaye-aux-Hommes. This was also founded by William and Matilda. It’s a beautiful abbey and worth a visit as it doesn’t take long to walk through it. Matilda is buried there, and still has her original tombstone unlike William.

We then grabbed food at a cafe and explored the streets, bar hopping as we went. With Caen Castle lit up, we decided to visit it the next day after seeing the Bayeux Tapestry.

The next morning, we left early to take the train to Bayeux, not even stopping for breakfast. This turned out to be a mistake as we arrived before the museum or any restaurants opened! We managed to find a vending machine at the train station and ate some protein bars before walking through the picturesque streets of Bayeux. If I were to do this trip again, I would stay in Bayeux instead of Caen. It was charming and serene compared to the more cosmopolitan nature of Caen.

At 9 in the morning, we finally entered the museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry. Sometimes, even if you’re not religious, you feel like you’re having a spiritual experience. Seeing the Bayeux Tapestry was one of those moments. Phones were locked up by the staff, and we moved slowly in a giant circle to view the entire tapestry, which is short in height but long in length. William and I excitedly whispered to each other, pointing out our favorite scenes and figures. Walking through the room took only 10 to 15 minutes, but it felt like an eternity that I wished could have lasted even longer.

After seeing the tapestry, we explored the rest of the museum. While interesting, it felt a bit underwhelming compared to the awe of seeing the tapestry itself. I hope the new museum, set to reopen in 2027, will provide a larger discussion on the women who created the tapestry and its historical significance. Even a section to discuss some of the people showcased in the tapestry would have been helpful.

By noon, we had walked through the museum and the village, seeing the cathedral where the tapestry was traditionally displayed. Still eager to see Caen Castle, we headed back to the train station.

Unfortunately, Caen Castle was a bit of a letdown. Though large and imposing, the inside was rather bare, with a few art and children’s museums tucked inside. We enjoyed walking along the ramparts and seeing the archaeological evidence (very few sites) from its Norman days but wished for more historical context about the Norman region. Or, as was done in Vilnius, a rebuilt section to look as it might have looked when William was alive, or his great-great-great grandfather, Rollo. You may know Rollo from the very popular TV show, Vikings.

We ended the day with some fantastic French TV and a brie & prosciutto pizza, as William had a long day ahead. He needed to get back to Kaiserslautern and then work a night shift. Despite the long journey, seeing the Bayeux Tapestry was an unforgettable experience and a highlight for any history lover.