Guillaume-Le-Conquérant

William, Duke of Normandy's conquest of England is recounted along this 70 metre long tapestry. More than just a simple account of the event, this woollen embroidery is a genuine work of propaganda, prizing William and his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.
William had been designated by his cousin Edward, King of England, as his rightful successor, and could not let his rival, Harold, take possession of his Kingdom. Consequently, he had an army and horses mount onboard hundreds of ships before crossing the English Channel.
Nevertheless, the story related in the Tapestry also embraces a hint of mystery: why did Edward, the aging King of England, send Harold, Earl of Wessex and pretender to the throne, to meet with William? Was Harold's oath sworn of his own free will? Who does the dwarf Turold serve?

Address:
Centre Guillaume Le Conquérant
13 bis rue Nesmond
14400 Bayeux
Tel: 02 31 51 25 50
tapisserie@mairie-bayeux.fr
www.tapisserie-bayeux.fr

Opening hours and rates:
Open from 15th March to 15th November from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (7 p.m. from May to August)
and from 16th November to 14th March from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Last entry 45 mn before.
Closed the 2nd week of January.

2010 Rates:
7,80 € adultes - 3,80 € children - free of charge (-10 ans/years)