Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux

Frommer's Review

The most famous tapestry in the world is actually an embroidery on linen, 69m (226 ft.) long and .5m (20 in.) wide, depicting 58 scenes in eight colors. Contrary to legend, it wasn't made by Queen Mathilda, the wife of William the Conqueror, but was probably commissioned in Kent and created by unknown embroiderers between 1066 and 1077. The first mention of the embroidery was in 1476, when it decorated the nave of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux.

Housed in a Plexiglas case, the embroidery tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, including such scenes as the coronation of Harold as the Saxon king of England, Harold returning from his journey to Normandy, the surrender of Dinan, Harold being told of the apparition of a comet (a portent of misfortune), William dressed for war, and the death of Harold. The decorative borders include scenes from Aesop's Fables.

Admission to the museum includes access to an annex whose collections are not as spectacular. The Collections Baron Gérard is housed in Le Musée de l'Hôtel du Doyen, 6 rue Lambert le Forestier (tel. 02-31-92-14-21). Exhibitions feature examples of regional lacework, porcelain, and religious and secular paintings, many of them created within this region.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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