DAY 183 - Bayeux...The Majestic Cathedral & Tapestry (Part 2)

Sept 18 - The City That God Watched Over

Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is a Norman-Romanesque cathedral. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux. It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry and is a national monument of France.

 The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on July 14th, 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and the King of England.  It was here that William forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman Conquest of England.  WOW!  Conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. ...I very well remember that from the history books!

Everywhere you went in town, the spires of the Cathedral peeked through.  It was the most magnificent building - inside and out.  I absolutely loved it!



Following serious damage to the Cathedral in the 12th Century, the Cathedral was rebuilt in the Gothic style which is most notable in the crossing tower, transepts and east end. However, despite the crossing tower being started in the 15th Century, it was not completed until the 19th Century.

Once inside ,(which was free), there was beautiful background music playing .... the first time in ANY of our travels through Europe in the dozens of churches and cathedrals had I ever heard music playing the whole entire time.

There were very few people, so there was a somber, reverent feeling throughout our self-guided tour.

Down into the crypts we headed - so much history!

One of the ancient 15th century murals downstairs in the crypt.

The most beautiful stained glass windows

Isn't this sculpture of Mary so serene and exquisite?

Plaque for WWI - 1 million dead

 Bayeux was the first town in France to be liberated!!

The story is that the Priest of the Church packed his bag and went to the Americans one day before the invasion.  He told them that the Germans had up and left town, and so to PLEASE not bomb the beautiful city of Bayeux with its Medieval Cathedral.  The Americans honored that request and left the city virtually untouched - the only city in France to be able to say that.


Plaque for 50th North Division who liberated Bayeux.

 The gargoyles on the outside evidently keep the evil spirits out of the church.

Architects often used multiple gargoyles on buildings to divide the flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize the potential damage from a rainstorm. A trough is cut in the back of the gargoyle and rainwater typically exits through the open mouth. Gargoyles are usually an elongated fantastic animal because the length of the gargoyle determines how far water is thrown from the wall. 

Just LOVE this beautiful red door.

 Some outside views of the Bayeux Cathedral.

Another huge reason people come to Bayeux to visit is to see - The Bayeux Tapestry 
It is an embroidered cloth—not an actual tapestry—nearly 70 metres (230 ft) long, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold, Earl of Essex, later King of England, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings.

William and Harold in Normandy

 "The Bayeux tapestry is one of the supreme achievements of the Norman Romanesque, ... Its survival almost intact over nine centuries is little short of miraculous, ... Its exceptional length, the harmony and freshness of its colors, its exquisite workmanship, and the genius of its guiding spirit combine to make it endlessly fascinating"

The tapestry consists of some 50 scenes with Latin captions, embroidered on linen with colored woolen yarns. It is likely that it was commissioned by William's half-brother, and made in England—not Bayeux—in the 1070s. In 1729 the hanging was rediscovered by scholars at a time when it was being displayed annually in the Cathedral. The tapestry is now exhibited at Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux.

 Mysteries of the Tapestry - there are MANY!

 There is a panel with what appears to be a clergyman touching or possibly striking a woman's face. No one knows the meaning of the caption above this scene "ubi unus clericus et Ælfgyva."








A quick tour on our way back home showed many fun doors and windows that I can only imagine dated a L-O-N-G time ago.

Looking down onto the ground level from their kitchen view.

 Back to Quentin and Aude's flat, we relaxed a bit and played a fun card game with them.

Can you see the spires of the Cathedral from their kitchen window?

Their kitchen is small, but so cute and has an amazing view!

This was our place for two nights - very comfortable!

Let's go see what the night life in Bayeux is all about - and to dinner at one of the best creperrie places.

Once an 18th century Palace has now been their residence for 10 years.

Hotel de Castilli - most of the residences are named after Hotels

Spectacular lighting at the Cathedral.  Rich hadn't brought his camera with us, so we had to rely on my little one to get the shots.

Yann knows all the history and LOVES his city!

Yann ordered this one.

 I really wish I could remember the name of the Crepe Restaurant that Yann treated us to.  They were delicious and there were so many to choose from.

This one was mine - no live egg for me!

Rich opted for this kind - sorry...didn't write it down.  :(

YUMMY apple dessert crepes!

For the main dish, we had a gigantic whole wheat hexagonal-shaped crepe called a gallette.  It is a typical dish here in Normandy.

Wish this photo was clearer, but look how happy we all are after our night and day in this beautiful city of Bayeux!