Bayeux Cathedral

October 24: Bayeux Cathedral easily dominated its medieval town in terms of importance, size and grandeur. It was originally built in the Norman-Romanesque in 1077 under William the Conqueror and his wife Mathilde. However, after being badly damaged by war in 1105, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 13th century. The intricate facade was dramatically lit during the early-arriving night.

The interior was not over-run by tourists, and the dominant sound was not the buzz of excited visitors but silence, punctuated by footsteps on hard stone. It seemed like a place of worship rather than a tourist destination. Like any Gothic cathedral, it featured a soaring interior and beautiful stained-glass windows. The sunlight cast patterns of color onto the sand-colored columns and onto the faces of Anthony and me.

One of the few things remaining from the original construction was the crypt, supported by typical Romanesque arches (as opposed to Gothic pointed vaulting).  I used my portable LED light to view the mural and the paintings of angel musicians decorating the tops of pillars, which were nearly invisible in the dark.