What to see in France

Embroidery history: the Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry is a seventy-metre long eleventh-century embroidery that relates the exploits of William the Conqueror against his adversary Harold during the Hundred Years' War. More precisely it describes events between 1064 and 1066.

 

Admire the Bayeux tapestry during your camping holiday

Located in Bayeux in the Calvados region, the tapestry is also named after Queen Matilda. It seems that it was commissioned by Odon de Bayeux, half brother of William. Often considered as a propaganda work in favour of William the Conqueror, it was almost destroyed during the French Revolution but was hidden in Bayeux Cathedral until the end of the 18th century. It is now considered a true document of 11th century Norman and English history. A wealth of details, characters, colours, Viking ships and imaginary animals bring the Middle Ages to life and tell us a lot about the period. The Bayeux Tapestry has been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register since 2007.

Since 1983, you can admire it in the former Grand Seminary of Bayeux, in the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. A new museum is planned to house the tapestry from 2026.

Where to stay?

In order to organise your camping holidays in Calvados, in Normandy and to see the Bayeux Tapestry, consult the list of campsites in Bayeux.

Practical information :

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is open every day from 1 February to 31 December. Closed from the morning of 24 to 26 December, and on the morning of 31 December.

Opening hours:

From 01/11 to 28/02: 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 6pm

From 01/03 to 31/10: 9 am - 6.30 pm (until 7 pm from May to August)

Prices 2022: full price: 11 €, reduced price: 7,50 €, school and students: 5 €, free for children under 10.

Contact details :

13, rue de Nesmond

14400 Bayeux

Tel: +33 (0) 2 31 51 25 50

Website: bayeuxmuseum.com/la-tapisserie-de-bayeux

Campsites connected with this article

Campsites in Calvados Campsites near of Bayeux
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