Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bayeux Tapestry
Both a unique historical document and an astonishing work of art, the Bayeux
Tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 - and it tells
it with thrilling narrative drive. Stitched in eight brilliant shades of red, yellow
and blue wool, the 58 strip-cartoon-style scenes were embroidered just 11 years
after the Conquest onto a single 230 ft (70 m) linen cloth - at the behest, it is
thought, of William the Conquerer's half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. It is
displayed in a renovated seminary, preceded by helpful explanatory exhibitions.
Top 10 Highlights of
Centre Guillaume-le-
Conquérant
1 The Tapestry Explained
2 The England of William
3 The Film
4 The Tapestry
5 Harold's Mission to
Normandy
6 Harold's Oath
7 Harold's Perjury
8 William Invades England
9 The Battle of Hastings
0 The Death of Harold
Museum façade
For an excellent
lunch try Le
Pommier, rue des
Cuisiniers, or La Table
du Terroir, run with
great panache by
master butcher Louis
Bisson behind his
shop in rue St-Jean.
The Tapestry
Explained
A slide show projected
onto billowing white
“sails” describes the
Viking invasions of western
Europe. Next, echoing the
Tapestry itself, an 85 m
(280 ft) band of cloth
explains the story told by
the embroidery.
From the d'Ornano
car park and bus
station in Bayeux,
follow the Circuit de
Vieux Bayeux trail,
with clear descrip-
tions in English and
French at every point
of interest.
The Film
In the Salle Mathilde,
maps and drawings depict
the events of the Norman
Conquest. Next comes a
14-minute film which tells
the story from the point of
view of William's half-
brother Bishop Odo.
The England of
William
Using life-size figures,
maps and scale models
(including a delightful
model of the village of
East Meon), William's
influence on every sphere
of English life after his
conquest is cleverly
portrayed.
Map D3
• Office du Tourisme:
pont St-Jean. 02 31 51
28 28
Centre Guillaume-le-
Conquérant: rue de
Nesmond. 02 31 51 25
50. Open May-Aug:
9am-7pm; mid-
Mar-May, Sep-Nov:
9am-6:30pm; Nov-mid-
Mar 9:30am-12.30pm,
2-6pm. Closed second
week of Jan.
Admission €7.40;
concessions €3.00;
children under 10 free
The Tapestry
Now it's time to see
the Tapestry itself, dimly lit
behind glass (below) . The
audio guide walks you
through each scene, adding
fascinating details about
the lifestyle of the period.
12
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search