Mairie de Bayeux (Town Hall of Bayeux), Bayeux

The Town Hall of Bayeux, stands as a captivating architectural testament to the first Renaissance in Normandy. This remarkable building houses a chapel whose origins date back to the era of Louis de Canossa. This distinguished prelate and humanist held the seat of Bayeux from 1516 to 1531, overseeing the construction of the octagonal chapel in the early 16th century. The chapel's painted decoration, a masterpiece from the first half of the 17th century, underwent meticulous restoration in the 19th century, preserving its historical and artistic significance.

During the 19th century, the former bishopric underwent a transformation, with part of the edifice assigned to the District Court. The chapel itself found a new purpose, serving as a deliberation room—a space where decisions and discussions unfolded against the backdrop of centuries-old artwork and architectural grandeur.

The former palace of the bishops of Bayeux is organized into four distinctive wings, each contributing to the tapestry of its varied history. Wing A currently hosts the Baron Gérard Museum, aligning perpendicular to the cathedral's axis. To the west, Wing B welcomes visitors through the main entrance and houses the primary staircase. Ascending, one encounters the room of lost steps, the grand audience room, and the episcopal chapel, each echoing with the whispers of bygone eras.

Wing C, a reconstruction dating back to 1833, represents the remand prison, adding another layer to the multifaceted history of this venerable building. Finally, Wing D, a palace erected in 1770-71, has become the present abode of the town hall, where civic affairs and governance unfold within the walls of a structure that breathes the air of centuries past.