Things To Do In Normandy
The intricate detail of the Bayeux Tapestry
Visit A Normandy Museum
Perhaps one of the best known museums in Normandy is found in Bayeux. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum spans three floors allowing visitors to learn more about this historic artefact. Although called a tapestry, it’s actually an embroidery and tells the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. The key characters are William the Conqueror and Harold II who was the king of England. The first scene on the tapestry is from 1064 and the last one is of Harold’s death in 1066. Each of the intricately embroidered panels focuses on a key part of the reasons and preparations for the invasion, crossing the channel and the battle.
The tapestry’s fragility means that it’s protected by a glass case in an exhibition room with dimmed lighting. Your ticket also gives you an audio guide which you listen to as you walk past each scene. There are 58 scenes which measure 70 meters in total. You will spend around under 15 minutes in this part of the museum. Once you’ve seen the tapestry there are a further two floors of the museum to explore. On the middle floor is a huge room full of static and interactive exhibits suitable for both children and adults.
The top floor comprises a cinema room and a 2D facsimile of the tapestry. Having learned more about the embroidery you can now really look at the details thanks to the full size printed exhibition boards. The cinema shows the film in English or French with each showing alternating between the two languages. The video alongside is an animated version of the tapestry.
Directions
The museum is called Le Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. You can head for the centre of the city, park and then walk to the museum. The address is 13 bis rue de Nesmond, 14400 Bayeux. Their phone number is +33 (0)2 31 51 25 50. If you are travelling from Normandy Gite Holidays, you’ll take the D51 and D28 to Saint-Lô. The D972 avoids going through the centre of Saint-Lô and leads to the D572. The D572 will take you directly to Bayeux.
Notes
Parking
There’s free parking on the D572 as you approach Bayeux. It’s on the opposite site of the road so you will need to go round the Ornano roundabout (rondpoint d’Ornano) to access it. Alternatively, if you are visiting the Battle of Normandy Museum, you can park here. The museum is on Boulevard Fabian Ware and it’s a 5 – 10 minute walk to the tapestry. Rue Tardiff has a small free car park. Paid parking close by is either on Rue aux Coqs or at the Parc Michel Ornano.
Further Information
Your ticket includes an audio guide that’s available in 16 languages. It will be programmed for the language you want and automatically starts as you walk into the darkened room. It isn’t possible to stop or pause the audio. It’s advisable to wait until your family or friends all have their guides before you walk into the room. Details of the prices are on the tapestry website.
Admission Times
The Museum is open from February to December with a short break over the Christmas holidays. It is closed in January. From March to October it’s open from 9am to 6.30pm. These hours are extended from May through to August when it stays open until 7pm. At other times it’s open from 9.30am to 6pm but closes for lunch between 12.30 and 2pm. The last entrance is 45 minutes before closing time although 45 minutes would be a very short visit. Most people spend around 2 hours in the museum. Check the Bayeux Tapestry Museum website for up-to-date information.
Hints and Tips
An early morning visit or over lunchtime will be quieter for this very popular attraction. You can purchase a pass for the other Bayeux museums that is valid for one year. The Battle of Normandy Museum and the Museum of Art and History Baron Gérard are included in this special offer.