Bayeux Cathedral

Bayeux Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux), is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Bayeux in Normandy, France. A national monument, it is the seat of the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux and was probably the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry, still preserved nearby. The cathedral is in the Norman-Romanesque architectural tradition.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux
Bayeux Cathedral
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic Church
District	Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux
Rite	Roman
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Location
Location	Bayeux, France
Geographic coordinates	49°16′32″N 0°42′12″W
Architecture
Type	Church
Style	Norman-Romanesque, Gothic
Height (max)	76.6

UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT WILLELMO DUCI ('Where Harold made an oath to Duke William'). This scene, which is stated in the previous scene on the Tapestry to have taken place at Bagia (Bayeux, very likely in Bayeux Cathedral), shows Harold touching two altars with the enthroned Duke looking on, and is central to understanding the Norman Conquest of England. (from the Bayeux Tapestry)

The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy. It was on this site that William may have forced Harold Godwinson to take an oath of support to him, the breaking of which led to the Norman Conquest of England – meaning that the oath must have been made before 1066.

Architecture

Following serious damage to the cathedral in the 12th century, the cathedral was rebuilt in Gothic style which is most notable in the crossing tower, transepts and east end. However, despite the crossing tower having been started in the 15th century, it was not completed until the 19th century.

Gallery

• 
  View to the cathedral from the tourist office
• 
  The Bayeux cathedral interior
• 
  Notre Dame de Bayeux crypt
• 
  An interior view of the cathedral
• 
  A mural in the crypt
• 
  A mural in the crypt
• 
  Cathedral at night
• 
  Gothic choir
• 
  Neo-classical high altar
• 
  Chapels, south arm of transept
• 
  Stained-glass window, south arm of transept
• 
  Stained-glass window, north arm of transept
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  Chapel window, south side of nave
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  Nave from rear
• 
  West doors

Bayeux Tapestry

The entire Bayeux Tapestry. Individual images of each scene are at Bayeux Tapestry tituli. (Swipe left or right.)

See also

• Roman Catholic Marian churches

External links

• Location
• Photos
• Stained Glass Windows
• High-resolution 360° Panoramas and Images of Bayeux Cathedral | Art Atlas