The small town of Bayeux is an attractive tourist destination in Normandy, France. It is located 23 kilometers in western direction of Caen, easily accessible by car or by train. This intimate city is famous for its impressive and very well preserved medieval architecture, the magnificent Cathedral and especially for the renowned tapestry.

The Bayeux Tapestry is kept in the beautiful historic building of an ancient seminary dating back to the 18th century. It is located on rue de Nesmond, in the very heart of the city, adjacent of the Cathedral. The tapestry is a strip of embroidered linen with a length of more than 70 meters. The scenes on it narrate the history of the Norman invasion in Britain. It was created in 11th century but the coloured wools are so well preserved, as if it was made yesterday. The main theme of the representation is complemented by scenes from the everyday life of the medieval people, popular myths and fantastic beasts. Its draftsmanship is very skilful with attention to every little detail and stunning vigour of the figures. The investigators of the tapestry say that it has been commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (the half brother of William the Conqueror) and created by nuns and monks in England. The occasion was the inauguration of the Cathedral in Bayeux during 1077.

The guided visits are well organized and very atmospheric, although they can be a little exhausting. By entering the seminary you will first watch a slide show, projected on canvas, to introduce you into the history of the tapestry. Then you will be shown an enlarged photographic copy with detailed and very informative commentaries. After that follows an optional film show and finally you will see the original tapestry to enjoy its high artistic values and stunning three-dimensional presence. It resembles a contemporary comic strip and can be read exactly in the same way.

The Bayeux Cathedral Notre-Dame was the first place where the tapestry was kept. It was completed in 1077 and despite of the many later reconstructions its original Romanesque architectural style and grace are still recognizable. Only the crypt and the towers have been preserved intact during the centuries with their original plan and decoration. The crypt is real jewel with its splendid columns decorated by impressive frescoes, depicting angles playing bagpipes and trumpets.

The southern part of the Cathedral houses the interesting Musee Baron Gerard, entered from rue Lambert Forestier. Its exhibition shows a wide collection of gracefully made porcelain and gorgeous lacework. The exponents were donated to the archbishopric by the city’s noble families during the centuries.

Near the Cathedral, on rue Bourbesneur, is located the Musee-Memorial Generale de Gaulle. The museum’s exhibition is focused on the three visits of the national French hero to Bayeux. In short walk south of here you will find another interesting museum – Musee de la Bataille de Normandie. This is an old school war museum, whose display emphasize on the weapons used in the Normandy Landings during the World War II.

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