Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux et le labyrinthe de la salle capitulaire

Bayeux

At Bayeux, the great Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror, keeps, in a neighbouring building, a rare detail: a floor labyrinth. It is in the chapter house, where the canons met to manage the cathedral. The pavement of this room, in terracotta and enamel, has been listed as a historic monument since 1862. The labyrinth forms a small design amid richly decorated tiles. The notices date it to the first half of the 13th century, but another author speaks of small labyrinths of glazed tiles of the late 14th century: the date remains debated. In the Middle Ages, several great churches in northern France had a floor labyrinth; many were torn up, like that of Reims in 1779. That of Bayeux is among the few still in place, and it is compared with those of Chartres and Amiens. A 15th-century painting, showing the Virgin surrounded by angels, adorns the same room. To see it, one must book the guided tour of the Amis de la cathédrale.

Normandie Tourisme — Les Amis de la cathédrale, la salle capitulaire ↗

Getting there: Rue du Bienvenu, 14400 Bayeux. The cathedral can be visited, but the chapter house is shown only with the Amis de la cathédrale: short guided tour (about 30 minutes) in French, on prior registration through their website, free donation. The pages consulted do not indicate the days and times of these visits (some formulas are limited to small groups): to be checked before travelling.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound