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Bayeux Cathedral
The Bayeux cathedral is the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry. Originally from 1077, rebuilt in the 12th century and finished in the 19th. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Well, that is an interesting window. On a gothic cathedral. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Plenty of 13th century decoration in the church. This is the chapel of St. Thomas Becket, lower part showing scenes with Saint Nicolas and a crucifixion. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Thee Madonnas in the cathedral. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Saint Peter holding the keys to heaven. A 15th century fresco in the crypt. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Statue of Saint James the Minor in the cathedral. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Statue of Saint Bartholomew in the cathedral. -
Bayeux Cathedral
One of the many 12th century carvings in the cathedral. This one depicts a man with a monkey. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Imagine being a 12th century mason and you have to/are allowed to include such faces into the cathedral walls. -
Bayeux Cathedral
I am confused. Are these dogs with their tails biting their asses? Or - more plausible - are they chimeras? -
Bayeux Cathedral
Another grotesque creature, which surely had a meaning. -
Château de Falaise
From the Loire valley - via Le Mans - towards Normandy. First stop was Falaise, where William the Conqueror was born. The construction of this castle started in 1123 by Henry I of England. -
Falaise
View from the falaise of the Falaise castle. -
Bayeux Cathedral
The portal of Saint Thomas Becket, showing the assembly of Northampton (1164) and the Assembly of Ambosus (1170); crossing of the English Channel and his martyrdom; and the veneration of his tomb. -
Bayeux Cathedral
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Bayeux Cathedral
Plenty of old windows in the cathedral as well... These are from 1260, showing the local bishops Exupère and Loup. -
Bayeux Cathedral
The 11th century crypt is simply magnificent. The entrance to the crypt was closed soon afterwards and the crypt forgotten - until 1412. -
Bayeux Cathedral
One of the more unusual capitals in the crypt. -
Bayeux Cathedral
One of the many angels in the crypt. They play all sorts of instruments. -
Bayeux Cathedral
15th century fresco of angels in the crypt. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Here is where the famous Bayeux tapestry was exhibited until 1793. Possibly from 1077. -
Bayeux Cathedral
12th century carving. I see a lion and an eagle carrying a fish. But it may also be a lion and a griffin. -
Bayeux Cathedral
Some more lions/griffons/creatures higher up, but the most notable are the Bayeux lovers underneath them. -
Bayeux Cathedral
The ceiling in the Bayeux cathedral choir shows various local bishops and saints. The whole cathedral is indeed a stunning place. -
Bayeux
What a lovely town it is. This is on the main Saint Martin street. -
Arromanches
Arromanches beach was the landing area during the D-Day Normandy Invasion. -
Arromanches
The endless windy beaches are perfect for flying kites! -
Arromanches
Remains of the artificial port in Arromanches. -
Arromanches
We returned to Arromanches for a lovely dinner. -
Longues-sur-Mer battery
More WWII bunkers with original guns on the Normandy coast. -
Arromanches
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Pegasus Bridge Café Gondrée
First house to be liberated in France on the 5/6th of June 1944, located in Bénouville. -
Les Roches de Ham
A lovely walk. A wonderful view. Delicious galettes. And cidre. -
Mont Saint-Michel
This is one of the most fascinating places on the planet. I have spoken. -
Mont Saint-Michel
The roofs remind me of an Asterix village :-) -
Mont Saint-Michel
Church of Saint-Pierre. Originally from the 8th century, often rebuilt, this tower being from the 15th century. -
Mont Saint-Michel
We decided to visit the abbey in the afternoon and there was absolutely no queue. We just entered the ticket office. But if there was a queue, these guards would keep us in line. Clever design! -
Mont Saint-Michel
Climbing the Grand Degré my kids said they felt like entering a computer game. Totally unreal and out of this world. -
Mont Saint-Michel
This was my third time visiting Mont Saint-Michel and every time there was a different parking regime. With free shuttles one can finally enjoy the natural surroundings. -
Mont Saint-Michel
The first sanctuary was built in 709 and later expanded multiple times. The latest addition was the spire with Saint Michel in 1897. -
Mont Saint-Michel
View from the west terrace towards the rapidly incoming sea. -
Mont Saint-Michel
The wooden ceiling of the early 1000s abbey church. -
Mont Saint-Michel
When a part of the church collapsed, they rebuilt it in contemporary fashion. The Romanesque choir, for example, collapsed in 1421 and was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1446 to 1523. -
Mont Saint-Michel
What a perfect architecture. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise, 1546. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Christ's Descent into Limbo, 1547. What cuties these little devils are. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Virgin and the child, 13th century. -
Mont Saint-Michel
I am fascinated by 13th century statues, my kids by 19th century swords. Made by Mellerio from Paris in 1877. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Replica of Saint Michael’s crown, made by Mellerio from Paris in the 20th century. The original was stolen. -
Mont Saint-Michel
The abbey cloister was built in the beginning of the 13th century. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Refrectory, where the monks took their meals, has plenty of well-hidden windows :-) This wall is nothing but windows! -
Mont Saint-Michel
Salle des Hôtes, designed to host royalty and nobility. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Fireplaces in Salle des Hôtes, designed to host royalty and nobility. -
Mont Saint-Michel
The great pillared crypt was built in the 15th century to support the Gothic choir. These support columns are massive! -
Mont Saint-Michel
The chapel of Saint Étienne (~1160) was a funeral chapel. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Deambulatorium (a covered walkway) from the early 12th century. The monks used to go for walks in winter or take breaks when writing books in the Scriptorium (Knights' Hall). -
Mont Saint-Michel
The water's level is rising so quickly, proper vortices appear! -
Mont Saint-Michel
Well, hello! Bonjour! -
Mont Saint-Michel
We planned the visit to avoid the crowds. But we didn't think it would be so empty on a Sunday afternoon. -
Mont Saint-Michel
Plenty of lovely souvenir shops and places to eat in the town, but some of them closed fairly early in the evening. -
Mont Saint-Michel
What a magnificent place indeed! -
Pointe du Grouin
View of Mont Saint Michel from the Pointe.