Cathedrale Notre-Dame
About
The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bayeux is an impressive building, a mix of Romanesque in the 11th century crypt and glorious Gothic in the 13th-century nave. In the 11th century after the Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066, ties with England were strong. You'll see a reference to the turbulent past above the south transept portal where sculpted scenes show the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral on the orders of King Henry II of England. The Bayeux Tapestry was kept here from the 11th to the 18th centuries, probably displayed for the first time on the day the cathedral was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror.
Highlights
- Stunning Romanesque Crypt
- Elaborate Gothic Nave
- Historic Tapestry Connection
Must-See Areas
Good to Know
Good for
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn for more comfortable crowds and pleasant weather
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes