To be Norman

The Adventures of Édouard Anquetil

Discreet by nature, the Normans are nonetheless part of a history with international reverberations, which piques interest far beyond their territory of origin. From the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting William's conquest of England in 1066, to the beaches of the Landings in June 1944, this collective memory evokes a shared emotion and reflects a strong historical continuity. This identity, rich and multifaceted, is shaped at the crossroads of influences, leaving lasting traces throughout Europe and beyond.

This project takes the form of a journey through the territories marked by this history, embodied by the figure of Édouard Anquetil.

Born in Bayeux, his name evokes the Anglo-Saxon and Viking heritages that traverse Norman history. His path follows the traces left by the companions of William the Conqueror, particularly in the United Kingdom, with stops in Hastings and Norwich, then in Ireland along the "Norman Way" in County Wexford. These routes reveal the persistence of ties between Normandy and these regions, shaped by the major crossings of history.

The journey continues to Sicily, where another dimension of Norman presence is expressed, marked by the richness of cultural exchanges, architectural forms, and political legacies. In Palermo, the memory of Odon of Bayeux, a major figure related to the Tapestry and the Bayeux Cathedral, places this stop in a historical and symbolic continuity.

This itinerary leads to an exhibition and a publication gathering a selection of around 80 photographs taken along the route, also including the Channel Islands.

The images by Olivier Mériel, a photographer known for his work in film photography, offer a sensitive view of these landscapes, alternating between black and white and color exploration. They engage in dialogue with the texts of Pascal Vannier, a former journalist from France Télévisions, which add a narrative and documentary dimension to the whole. The project is supported historically by Jean-Marie Levesque.

Practical information:

Open to all

Free

Cooperation France / United Kingdom / Jersey / Guernsey / Ireland / Sicily

Dates and venues are pending confirmation