Museum of Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, France

Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux is a museum dedicated to the famous Bayeux Tapestry. This hand-woven 70m long tapestry tells the story of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066. The manmade wonder of the 11th century has been well preserved, leaving the town of Bayeux only twice: once when Napoleon used it to show his troops that conquering England was indeed possible, and the second time during World War II, to save it from being damaged. Each year, the Tapestry Museum is visited by over 400000 visitors who marvel at the glass encased masterpiece.

Museums in France

User Reviews

Jared Boike (6 months ago)
Although its technically not a tapestry, its still a piece of history that we should cherish! Sadly you are not allowed to take photos NOR video???? Like why. Its already under lights and in an airtight container, I'm sure pictures wont hurt.

ian beswick (8 months ago)
Excellent value for money ... €5 entry. No photos allowed as expected though. So privileged to see the tapestry in person .... the quality and the detail of the work considering its hundreds of years old, and accompanied with a great personal audible guide.

Christian Markus (8 months ago)
Must see in Normandy - unfortunately for the visitor, this view is widely shared, so expect so queuing. The complimentary audioguide cannot be paused once activated, to ensure nobody lingers and everyone mives at the same speed. Optimized so as many visitors as possible can view the tapestry, but no chance to capture details, to move back to am earlier scene, or to just enjoy in a more leisurely fashion. Still a great experience.

John Beckett (8 months ago)
Who doesn't want to visit Bayeux Tapestry? It's an astonishing glimpse into the lead up to the battle of 1066, while trying not to be moved as you listen to the commentary depicting each of the scenes. The most memorable part of my holiday without a shadow of a doubt.

Julie Welsby (9 months ago)
A popular destination so long queues. Very safe inside and social distancing enforced. Great museum, well laid out, interesting audio guide. Good value 3 museums for 10€.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Historic Site of the week

Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis was an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC. The city was named in honor of the mythological hero Heracles. The name Lynkestis originates from the name of the ancient kingdom, conquered by Philip, where the city was built.

Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, as it was at the edge of Macedon"s border with Epirus to the west and Paeonia to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road.

The Roman emperor Hadrian built a theatre in the center of the town, on a hill, when many buildings in the Roman province of Macedonia were being restored. It began being used during the reign of Antoninus Pius. Inside the theatre there were three animal cages and in the western part a tunnel. The theatre went out of use during the late 4th century AD, when gladiator fights in the Roman Empire were banned, due to the spread of Christianity, the formulation of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the abandonment of, what was then perceived as, pagan rituals and entertainment.

Late Antiquity and Byzantine periods

In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD) Heraclea was an important episcopal centre. A small and a great basilica, the bishop"s residence, and a funerary basilica and the necropolis are some of the remains of this period. Three naves in the Great Basilica are covered with mosaics of very rich floral and figurative iconography; these well preserved mosaics are often regarded as fine examples of the early Christian art period.

The city was sacked by Ostrogoth/Visigoth forces, commanded by Theodoric the Great in 472 AD and again in 479 AD. It was restored in the late 5th and early 6th century. When an earthquake struck in 518 AD, the inhabitants of Heraclea gradually abandoned the city. Subsequently, at the eve of the 7th century, the Dragovites, a Slavic tribe pushed down from the north by the Avars, settled in the area. The last coin issue dates from ca. 585, which suggests that the city was finally captured by the Slavs. As result, in place of the deserted city theatre several huts were built.

The Episcopacy Residence was excavated between 1970 and 1975. The western part was discovered first and the southern side is near the town wall. The luxury rooms are located in the eastern part. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th rooms all have mosaic floors. Between the 3rd and 4th rooms there is a hole that led to the eastern entrance of the residence. The hole was purposefully created between the 4th and 6th century.

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Late Antiquity and Byzantine periods

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