More Than Just a Tapestry | Bayeux - Exploring France
This weeks adventure took us to the beautifully French town of Bayeux, which got us wondering, is there more to Bayeux than just the tapestry?
Yes, everyones heard of the Bayeux tapestry all over the world. This famous artwork stitched onto cloth almost 70 metres long and 50 cm tall. It depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England led by William the Conqueror, the end of the tapestry shows the Battle of Hastings. It is thought that this piece of art dates back to just a few years after the Battle and Historians have concluded it was made in the south of England. This piece of artwork is known all throughout the world and loads of tourists flood to Bayeux each year to see it. But do they actually get to see Bayeux itself?
Theres loads of things to see here, with its history dating back to the first century BC and having prominence all throughout history, it is full of hidden information and facts. Firstly, we took a walk along the river which was the main reason why there were settlers here from so early. Tanneries opened very early and mills started opening, there are still two here from around the 17th century. It is so picturesque with restaurants along the river banks, flowers in full bloom and the water trickling over the round mill wheels. We walked along the back roads and to the building that houses the tapestry. We had no plans to go and see it because we went into the museum last year to see the tapestry and we didn't need to see it again, but for the purposes of our YouTube channel (link below) we wanted to show everyone the building that housed it. When we first went last year, we were expecting it to be in the middle of the town, and a very prominent building. But it is a little walk out of the center, you walk down an alleyway surrounded by concrete and come across what looks like an old town hall. It is in a beautiful building but the surrounding don't justify the grandure of the art work.
From here, we went for a walk to the cathedral. Built by William the Conquerors brother, Odo, the building was competed in 1077. It is thought this was the first home of the tapestry. The cathedral was damaged in the 12th century, and was rebuilt in Gothic style. Luckily, some of the original features remained and can still be seen today. The construction of the tower started in the 15th century and it wasn't completed until the 19th century! It has such beautiful stain glass windows and unusually some bright blue ones which make beautiful patterns on the inside.
Underneath the cathedral, you can access the crypt. There isn't much down there, but as you can see from the photo below, you can see the original 12th century artwork on the walls and ceiling. The colours are so vivid and its amazing to see how much of it remains in tact just because it doesn't have access to daylight.
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