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PRESS RELEASE In 2016, to celebrate the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the coronation of William the Conqueror in England, the tourist office of Bayeux Intercom proposed a new spectacular winter event with William s Cathedral, set in the magnificent cathedral of Bayeux. Falling within the regional scope on the theme of Medieval Normandy, this unique show has been created by the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d images, who also created the shows Rendez-vous à la cathédrale in Bayeux, and Eclats d Aure at the abbey of Mondaye. In December 2017, the Bayeux Tapestry returns to the Cathedral A key event for the destination Medieval Normandy Actively part of the regional network and pursuing its two gateway strategy, the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office has chosen to present the city as a gateway to the Landing Beaches as well as a gateway to the ancient dukedom of Normandy. In respect of the second objective, the idea is to enrich the main touristic offer the Museum of the Tapestry and the Bayeux Cathedral with a series of events starting in July with the Bayeux Medieval Festival and ending in December with William s Cathedral ; this new show was created by the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d images, who also created Rendez-vous à la cathédrale in Bayeux and Eclats d Aure at the abbey of Mondaye. A quality show, swiftly acclaimed by the press In December 2016, with no less than 12 evening performances, William s Cathedral attracted some 12 000 spectators; an immediate success with the general public, confirmed by national media coverage including on France 2, France 3 and in Le Figaro. As with all events organised by the Tourist Office of Bayeux Intercom, the aim of William s Cathedral was to boost the number of visitors and induced consumption. A success for bars, shops and restaurants, who saw an increase in their clientele on show nights. The same applied to certain hotels, who explained that some of their reservations were due to the projections. A revised timetable to suit different types of visitors Travel agents also showed great interest in the new event. Last year several agents contacted the Tourist Office in order to agree on a set of dates in 2017 for groups. The timetable, originally designed for the general public, was therefore revised for this second year of operation, with evenings specially reserved for tour operators. As for the general public, additional dates are offered during the school holidays. 1
CONTENTS «The Bayeux Tapestry a masterpiece of the 11th Century will be presented in digital form in its original showcase : the cathedral of Bayeux.» The Tapestry presented in digital form in its original showcase... p.3 Bayeux, a medieval city in Normandy... p.4 Spectaculaires, a world reference... p.5 The partners of William s Cathedral... p.6 The calendar at a glance... p.7 Practical information... p.8 Contacts... p.9 2
THE TAPESTRY PRESENTED IN DIGITAL FORM IN ITS ORIGINAL SHOWCASE The Tapestry of Bayeux, a precious testimony of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, was probably commissioned by Odo de Conteville, bishop of Bayeux and half-brother of Guillaume. It was designed to adorn the new cathedral in 1077. The 70 meters long embroidery was exhibited there every year, during the Feast of the Relics in July. In 2017, it found once again its original showcase, presented in a new way... The nave and the Tapestry are re-united In the nave of the sumptuous Cathedral of Bayeux, the eyes of all are riveted during the show on the Bayeux Tapestry, a masterpiece of Romanesque art of the 11th century; dynamic images run on screens installed for the occasion on the upper parts of the cathedral. Over the entire length of the balustrade, in the nave where it was probably exhibited for the first time, two screens 1,80 m high by 30 meters long have been installed by Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d images, to achieve this new artistic challenge! The cathedral s architecture is also enhanced by precise and colourful lighting in the lower parts of the nave. This highlights the building s architectural details including large arcades, the walls geometric patterns, spandrels, and modillions... The Illuminated Choir In the choir (axial chapel), on the stained-glass windows and details of the architecture, beautiful lighting effects create a contemplative atmosphere. A historical figure welcomes visitors The voice of Odo de Conteville, bishop of Bayeux and half-brother of William the Conqueror, welcomes visitors during the show "William s Cathedral" and presents the story of "his" cathedral, of "our" cathedral. Throughout the projection, Odo tells the epic story of William the Conqueror and the conquest of England and explains how he commissioned a narrative in the form of an embroidery to decorate the cathedral for its consecration in 1077. "As part of our two-gateway strategy, we are actively developing the theme of medieval Normandy in our touristic offer. The event, which complements Bayeux Intercom s core attractions (the Tapestry Museum and the Cathedral of Bayeux) is part of this strategy. This is the development of heritage tourism at the service of economy." Loïc JAMIN, President of the Bayeux Intercom Tourist Office 3
BAYEUX, A MEDIEVAL CITY IN NORMANDY Bayeux is an old medieval city that was miraculously spared in the bombings of 1944. To safeguard the city s exceptional heritage, a protected area was created. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum, which attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year, and the beautiful cathedral, make it one of the key destinations of medieval Normandy. Every year, the city celebrates its history during the Medieval Festival of Bayeux, a major tourist event in Normandy. The Bayeux cathedral and the beauty of stone The Bayeux Cathedral, a gem of Norman architecture, situated in the heart of the conservation area, remains a major example of religious buildings in Normandy. The cathedral was consecrated on 14th July 1077, by Bishop Odo of Conteville, in the presence of his illustrious brother, William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy and king of England. The Bayeux Tapestry from the Middle Ages was probably intended to be hung in the cathedral nave. The Bayeux Tapestry: a treasure for Humankind Bayeux Tapestry is one of the rare artefacts listed Memory of the World by UNESCO, open to the public. This thousand-year-old authentic embroidery takes you back to the days of strongholds and castles. Considered as the precursor of comic strips, it relates the Epic Adventure of William the Conqueror, the famous Duke of Normandy, who went to Hastings in 1066 to seize the throne of England. Its historical value and aesthetic quality continues to inspire artists and historians from around the world. Medieval Festival in Bayeux For 30 years, on the first week-end of July, Bayeux takes you back to the Middle Ages! Around the Cathedral, you can enjoy street performances featuring fairy-tale creatures, jugglers, jesters, and historical plays. Hundreds of stalls and a street parade recreate the atmosphere in the days of medieval knights. Every year no less than 50 000 visitors come to the medieval festival in Bayeux! 4
SPECTACULAIRES, A WORLD REFERENCE Created in 1987, the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d images offers three fields of expertise within their line of business: technical concept and artistic creation of cultural and corporate events, and scenic equipment. Originating from Brittany, les Allumeurs d images are renowned for the creation of grandiose shows, which revealed the architectural wonders of European cities such as Nancy (opposite), Brussels, Lyon; they enchanted thousands of spectators all around the world with sensitive and inspired scenarios, in Brazil, Ukraine or Vietnam. Since 2010, the Tourist Office of Bayeux Intercom has entrusted the artists at Spectaculaires with the creation of three acclaimed shows: Rendez-vous à la cathédrale (first version 2010-2013), Rendez-vous à la cathédrale «Un arbre en Liberté» (2014-2017 photo right), and Eclats d Aure at the abbey of Juaye-Mondaye (2013-2015). «Light is life!», Benoit Quéro Directeur-Fondateur de Spectaculaires In France, in Brittany and internationally, the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d'images like telling stories, and sublimating moments in time, places or buildings by creating original and poetic shows. These gatherings, serving as economic leverage, bring people together around a story, a territory, an identity or quite simply enable them to enjoy a festive occasion. Examples of creations From top to bottom, and left to right: - Mosquée Al Majaz, Sharjah Light Festival (Emirats Arabes Unis) - Illumi Nantes, Cathédrale de Nantes (France) - Rendez-vous Bundesplatz, Berne (Suisse) - Palais de la Réunification - Hô Chi-Minh Ville (Vietnam) - Au fil de ŁÓdź, Light Move Festival, ŁÓdź (Pologne) 5
THE PARTNERS OF WILLIAM S CATHEDRAL A production of the Bayeux Intercom tourist office. A creation by the company Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d image. In collaboration with the «unité départementale de l architecture et du patrimoine du Calvados», and the paroisse Notre-Dame du Bessin. With the support of Bayeux Intercom, the Normandy region, the Calvados department, the town of Bayeux and ENEDIS. 6
THE CALENDAR AT A GLANCE 7
PRACTICAL INFORMATION William s Cathedral The Tapestry returns BAYEUX From the 2 nd December 2017 to the 6 th January 2018* On Fridays and Saturdays from December 2, 2017 to January 6, 2018 included Additional evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays from December 26, 2017 to January 4, 2018 included (*Special evenings dedicated to groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays from December 5 to 21, 2017 included) Shows at 6.00pm, 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm & 8.00pm Bayeux Cathedral Free!!! Shows limited to 200 people for optimal comfort!!! 8
Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom WILLIAM S CATHEDRAL Press kit 2017 Press contact Claire BEAURUEL Tourist office of Bayeux Intercom 4 place Gauquelin Despallières 14400 BAYEUX Tél : +33(0)2 31 51 28 24 Portable : +33(0)6 30 24 00 10 cbeauruel@bayeux-tourism.com www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com Contact us (Grand public) Bayeux tourist office Pont Saint-Jean 14400 Bayeux Tél : +33(0)2 31 51 28 28 Fax : +33(0)2 31 51 28 29 info@bayeux-tourism.com www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com 9