Plizio Visual Lab
Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is a world-renowned masterpiece of 11th-century textile art, depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Despite its name, it is technically an embroidery rather than a woven tapestry, featuring colored woolen yarns on a long strip of bleached linen. Measuring nearly 70 meters in length and about 50 centimeters in height, the work consists of 58 chronological scenes detailing the narrative from Harold Godwinson's journey to the decisive Battle of Hastings. It was likely commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, William the Conqueror's half-brother, for display in Bayeux Cathedral. The embroidery provides invaluable historical insights into medieval warfare, shipbuilding, clothing, and social customs of the era. Currently housed in the Centre Guillaume le Conquérant in Bayeux, it was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2007 as a vital document of European history.
- Location: Normandie, France
- Top sights: Hôtel de la Crespellière · Le Radar · Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Baron Gérard
- Nearby: Thue et Mue (16 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 84 | 69 | 64 | 44 | 52 | 46 | 50 | 58 | 55 | 87 | 98 | 101 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The tapestry has a total length of exactly 68.38 meters.
- There are a total of 626 human figures depicted in the scenes.
- The embroidery was likely produced between 1070 and 1077.
- The work features depictions of 202 horses and 41 ships.
- It was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2007.
- Scene 32 depicts Halley's Comet as a celestial omen.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Bayeux Tapestry (10)
Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
Cathedral in Bayeux, Calvados, a Gothic building with a Romanesque transept.
Chapelle de la Miséricorde
Chapel in Bayeux, Calvados, dating from the 17th century.
Halle Ô Grains
Theatre in Bayeux, housed in a former market hall.
Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux🏛 museum
Museum housing the embroidered wall-hanging depicting the Norman invasion of England.
Hôtel d'Argouges
Manor house in Bayeux, a 16th-century townhouse.
Église Saint-Patrice
Church in Bayeux, Calvados, built in the 19th century.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bayeux Tapestry actually a woven tapestry?
What story does the tapestry tell?
Can I take photos in the museum?
Are there audio guides available?
How much time is needed for the museum visit?
Bayeux Tapestry: where is it located?
Bayeux Tapestry: what is there to see?
Bayeux Tapestry: when is the best time to visit?
Bayeux Tapestry: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
