Ancien palais épiscopal, actuellement Hôtel de ville

English translation

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History

This building is representative of the early Renaissance in Normandy, with its chapel of octagonal plan built in the early 16th century under the episcopate of Louis de Canossa, humanist and prelate, who held the seat of Bayeux from 1516 to 1531. The painted decoration was executed in the first half of the 17th century, then restored in the 19th century. In the 19th century, the former bishop's palace was partly converted to serve as the Court of First Instance and the chapel served as a deliberation chamber. The former palace of the bishops of Bayeux is laid out in four sub-sections. Wing A currently houses the Baron Gérard museum situated perpendicular to the axis of the cathedral. To the west, wing B contains the main entrance to the palace as well as the staircase of honour. On the upper level, are found from west to east and in sequence, the hall known as the passage room, the great audience chamber and finally, the episcopal chapel. Wing C corresponds to the wing of the palace which was destroyed then rebuilt in 1833 to serve as a prison. Finally, wing D, a palace built in 1770-71, is currently occupied by the town hall.