Press Release

Date: 05 September 2019

Game of Thrones was one of the most watched TV series of all time, but how does it measure against one of the great real-life historical dramas – the Norman Conquest?

‘Thrones fans’ and history buffs alike can judge for themselves from next month by boarding the DFDS Newhaven-Dieppe ferry and travelling to Bayeux, home to the 68-metre long tapestry recording the dramatic build up to William the Conqueror defeating England’s Saxon ruler, King Harold, at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

This painstakingly created record of events can then literally be measured against an 80-metre long tapestry recording the Game of Thrones (GoT) saga, where the great houses of Westeros plot and fight towards a titanic showdown involving dragons and zombie hoards from the northern wastes.

GoT (2011-2019) ran to 73 episodes over eight seasons and much of the filming and background work happened in Northern Ireland, inspiring Tourism Ireland to commission an ambitious tapestry in the style of the world-famous Bayeux masterwork.

A major draw at Belfast’s Ulster Museum since July 2017, it was then decided that this modern-day tribute should make a symbolic journey across the Channel.

So, from 13 September to 31 December 2019, the GoT tapestry will be displayed in the Hôtel du Doyen near Bayeux Cathedral – its exceptional size prevented it being shown beside its inspirational forbear in Bayeux Museum.

Stephen House, Marketing Manager at DFDS, said: “This is a dream opportunity for anyone with a passion for historical drama: two sagas depicted in great style in the beautiful city of Bayeux, just 2.5 hours (212kms/132mls) from our ferry port of Dieppe after a crossing time of around four hours.

“But it’s also a great excuse for a short – or longer – break in Normandy, with other superb tourist attractions close by, such as the WWII D-Day beaches, Normandy’s capital – Rouen – the beautiful harbour of Honfleur and its association with Impressionist art, chateaux a plenty, and the imposing former fortress monastery of Mont St Michel.

“Dieppe itself is an ideal base for a leisurely ‘Normandy invasion’ with its beach, 15th century castle, attractive centre, and a turbulent history latterly marked by the Allied raid of 1943, Operation Jubilee. There is also the famed Norman food and drink including cider, Calvados and cheeses galore.”

For more on the GoT tapestry exhibition in Bayeux, visit: https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/actus/game-of-thrones-tapestry-exhibited-in-bayeux/

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DFDS Press Office 01304 874052 Dover.pr@dfds.com

About DFDS:

DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.

DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.

In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for eight years running (2012-2019), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last seven years (2011-18).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, click here.