For Immediate Release:
Bayeux and the Bessin owe much of their reputation and their attractiveness to their medieval theme, the epic of William the Conqueror and the Dukes of Normandy. The Bayeux Tapestry and the cathedral are the world famous witnesses of this glorious period for Normandy. Building on the success of its two flagship sites, the city of Bayeux is carrying an ambitious project which should lead to the creation of a Centre for the Understanding of Europe in the Middle Ages (by 2023). 2016, an important year for Normandy The year 2016 will be marked by two major events which directly echo the prestigious past of Ducal Normandy. These are the reunification of Normandy and the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066) and the coronation of William the Conqueror in the Westminster Abbey in London (December 25, 1066). This will be a great opportunity to launch the new medieval ambition of the destination Bayeux – Bessin, with the support of the city’s Department for Culture (for the involvement of locals), the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office and Bayeux Museum (for tourism)! The ambition to develop the theme is embraced by the whole of Normandy, with the necessity to build a tourist industry on the theme of Normandy in the Middle Ages. The Regional Council and the Regional Committee for Tourism are joining forces for the occasion of the anniversary: logos are already underway and budgets are available for the funding of individual projects. Bayeux and the Bessin region are firmly part of the project and will launch in 2016 their medieval strategy.
A key event in the project « Bayeux, la médiévale », the medieval festival will celebrate 30 years of existence in 2016! Usually organised during the first week-end in July, the festival will last a whole week for the occasion, with entertainment organised in the afternoon for school children and every evening for the general public. From 27th June to 3rd July 2016, Bayeux will don its fineries and take visitors back to the Middle Ages… Third most important Medieval Festival in France, with over 50 000 visitors, the Bayeux Festival has continued to attract a growing public with a varied programme, renewed each year. For more information, please go to:http://bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com/