Guided tour of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady
The Bernières Optique Nouvelle Patrimoine Association will be taking visitors on a tour of the church and explaining the stages in its construction.
The church of the Nativity of Our Lady of Bernières sur Mer was built on land purchased by Bishop Odon, half-brother of William the Conqueror, who donated it to the Chapter of Bayeux in 1066. Its Romanesque nave, dating from 1130-1140 and the end of the 12th century, is contemporary with and similar to the great Norman abbeys. The 13th century saw the addition of a high Gothic choir and an 8-sided stone spire, reaching a height of 67 metres. The 17th century saw the addition of a remarkable stone altarpiece with powerful twisted columns, topped with large polychrome angel statues, one of the most monumental in Calvados. It was listed as a historic monument in 1840.
