BAYEUX TAPESTRY MUSEUM

Listed in the Memory of the World Register by Unesco since 2007, this embroidery is the star of the Bessin capital! Almost 1,000 years old, the Bayeux Tapestry continues to fascinate. The dimensions of this piece of history command respect: almost 70 metres long and 50 centimetres wide. This 11th-century work not only illustrates the story of William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066, but also remains one of the most precious testimonies to the art of living in the Middle Ages. Composed of woollen threads embroidered on a linen canvas, it can be devoured in its entirety like a gigantic comic strip teeming with winks. The Tapestry is also an inexhaustible source of inspiration, appearing in international TV series and video games alike. As for the visit, the audioguide, adapted for all ages, describes the event scene by scene. After discovering the work, the tour continues on the second floor of the museum, where a vast room explains not only the secrets behind its creation, but also the themes of daily life in the time of William and Harold, illustrated by splendid models, impressive mannequins and numerous period objects, including a drakkar! The visit ends with a 16-minute docu-drama on the Battle of Hastings, which rehabilitates the figure of Harold, hastily regarded as the felon of history. The Bayeux Tapestry is also accessible to the visually impaired. The Valentin Haüy association has created three emblematic scenes in relief to enable the visually impaired to touch it and feel its emotion. And until summer 2025, the venue will host the TaPIXIe exhibition, a bold initiative by the House of PIXI, famous for its hand-painted metal figurines. This unique project recreates the Bayeux Tapestry in figurines, offering a three-dimensional perspective on embroidery. Visitors will be able to see the first ten meters of this reconstruction, which will be completed in 2027, the millennium of William of Normandy. Finally, in the summer of 2025, the museum will close to make way for archaeological excavations, a restoration campaign to preserve this work of textile art, and the construction of the new museum, which will open in 2027. That might be a bit long? So, whether you're an art and history lover or just passing through, don't hesitate to visit the tapestry in the coming months!