Bayeux Museums

This museum and cultural centre opened on June 6, 2003. A gleaming, metallic structure set before Juno Beach, it is dedicated to documenting the Canadian war effort during the Second World War.

Musée Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie focuses on the Battle of Normandy, which took place from June 6th to August 22, 1944. This battle signalled the beginning of the end of WWII. The museum focuses on both the military and human drama of this event, and numerous displays are located here. Visitors can view film displays, as well as see several different tanks, which are located outside the museum. Among these are a M10 Tank Destroyer, and a Crocodile Flamethrower Tank. The museum is designed in the style of a bunker, and also features wax soldiers dressed in uniform. The British Commonwealth War Graves Cemetary is located across from the museum.

The most famous tapestry in the world - the Bayeux tapestry - is housed in Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. The tapestry is actually emroidery on a band of linen measuring 231 feet long, and 20 inches wide. Some 58 scenes are depicted. The tapestry was once believed to be made by Queen Mathilda, the wife of William the Conquerer, but more likely was comissioned in Kent, and the work done at the hands of unknown embroiderers between 1066 and 1077. The first documented appearance of the tapestry occured in 1476, when it was used to decorate the nave of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux. The tapestry is now housed under a Plexiglass case, and the scenes depicted on it tell the story of the conquest of England by William the Conquerer. Among these are the coronation of Harold as the Saxon king of England, Harold's return from Normandy, Willam dressed for war and Harold's death.