Bayeux Cathedral Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids 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
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Norman-Romanesque, Gothic
Height (max)	76.6

This scene from the Bayeux Tapestry shows Harold making an oath to Duke William. This important event likely happened in Bayeux Cathedral before 1066.

Bayeux Cathedral, also called Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux (in French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux), is a large Catholic church in Bayeux, Normandy, France. It is a very important national monument. This cathedral is where the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux works. It was also likely the first home of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which is now kept close by. The cathedral shows a mix of Norman and Romanesque building styles.

The place where the cathedral stands is very old. Long ago, Roman temples were built there. The current cathedral was officially opened on July 14, 1077. William, Duke of Normandy, was there for the event. It is believed that William might have made Harold Godwinson promise to support him right here. When Harold broke this promise, it led to the Norman Conquest of England. This means the promise must have happened before the year 1066.

Building the Cathedral
- A Long Construction Project
Bayeux Tapestry Connection
Images for kids
See also

Building the Cathedral

After the cathedral was badly damaged in the 1100s, it was rebuilt. The new parts were made in the Gothic style. You can see this style especially in the central tower, the side sections (called transepts), and the back part of the church.

A Long Construction Project

Even though work on the central tower began in the 1400s, it took a very long time to finish. The tower was not fully completed until the 1800s. This shows how much effort and time went into building such a grand structure.

Bayeux Tapestry Connection

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

The Bayeux Tapestry is a very famous embroidered cloth. It tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This amazing piece of history was probably first kept right here in Bayeux Cathedral. It is now displayed in a museum nearby, but its connection to the cathedral is very strong.