Tapestries and Monasteries

Snapshot
Where - Bayeux and Mont Saint Michel
Weather - fine

Finally we have a day doing things that I am more interested in. One of them was to have a look at the Bayeux Tapestry (in Bayeux of course). I remember hearing about this tapestry when I was in school - two things stuck in my mind: 1/ It was really long - it is almost 70 metres long and about 50cm wide, and 2/ Part of the embroidery (it is technically not a tapastry), depicts Halley's comet. That was about the extent of my knowledge so when we visited we were given an audio tour which outlined what each scene of the tapestry was about. So the Bayeux Tapestry is about William the Conquerer and the Battle of Hastings 1066 - Halley's comet supposedly made an appearance in 1066 just prior to the Battle of Hastings and was seen as a sign of William 's success. Both Brad and I found the exhibit interesting - couldn't take any photos so I have included a stock photo.

The other place we visited was Mont Saint Michel which is practically a carbon copy of St Michael's Mount in Penzance (England) but it was more impressive in my opinion. We joined a guided tour regarding the history of the monastery and abbey and parts of the complex are undergoing renovation. Unlike the one in England, this one is uninhabited but it certainly serves as a great tourist attraction.

So, we leave the Normandy area and head for the Loire Valley - place that has many Chateaux.Read more