Bayeux

Travel Guide
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE
See a famous historic tapestry, discover D-Day beaches and explore gorgeous gardens in this beautifully preserved Norman town.

With its medieval architecture and compelling historical ties, Bayeux is a fascinating and pleasant place to spend a few days. Bayeux was the first town to be liberated after D-Day and is one of the few in the area to have survived World War II without significant damage. Tour its characterful old town, inspect the renowned Bayeux Tapestry and ponder the past at historic war sites.

The famous Bayeux Tapestry is housed at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. Measuring 229 feet (69.7 meters) long and weighing 771.6 pounds (350 kilograms), this historic embroidered cloth depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Legend has it the tapestry was sewn by William the Conqueror’s wife, Reine Mathilde. 

Just a 30-minute drive from Bayeux are Juno Beach, Gold Beach and Omaha Beach, where the allied troops landed on D-day in June 1944. Learn about one of World War II’s key battles at the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie, where military vehicles, weapons and uniforms are displayed. The nearby Bayeux War Cemetery includes 4,144 Commonwealth burials and 500 war graves of other nationalities, while the Journalists’ Memorial honors journalists killed in the line of duty since 1944.

Be sure to stop by the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux. The highlight of Bayeux’s old town, the cathedral was constructed in the 11th century but was rebuilt in the Gothic style after it was damaged by fire in 1160. Admire the intricate stained glass windows, the murals in the crypt and the neoclassical main altar. 

Don’t miss the Jardin Botanique de Bayeux, a botanical garden spread over 6.4 acres (2.6 hectares). The garden still has many of the original specimens planted at its opening in 1864, including the famous weeping European beech tree that has been named a natural monument and a remarkable tree of France. 

Bayeux is located on the western edge of Calvados in the Lower Normandy region. Reach Bayeux by flying into Caen Carpiquet Airport, a 30-minute drive away. Bayeux is a 3-hour drive or a 2.5-hour train ride from Paris. You can also take a ferry to the port at Ouistreham, a 45-minute drive from Bayeux.

Hotel Le Bayeux
Hotel Le Bayeux
3 out of 5
9 Rue Tardif, Bayeux, Calvados
The price is CA $237 per night from May 21 to May 22
CA $237
CA $264 total
includes taxes & fees
May 21 - May 22
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bayeux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (872 reviews)
"Friendly staff, clean, comfortable room and the breakfast was a great way to begin our day. Easy walking distance to Normandy Beach tours, restaurants and shops. Loved it!"

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Hotel Le Bayeux
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
4 out of 5
25 Rue Des Bouchers, Bayeux, Calvados
The price is CA $189 per night from May 15 to May 16
CA $189
CA $215 total
includes taxes & fees
May 15 - May 16
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Bayeux. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (376 reviews)
"Our stay was great!"

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
Hotel Le Lion d'Or et restaurant la Table du Lion
Hotel Le Lion d'Or et restaurant la Table du Lion
4 out of 5
71 Rue Saint-jean, Bayeux, Calvados
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bayeux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (912 reviews)
5Dtar
"Excellent hotel in great setting"

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

Hotel Le Lion d'Or et restaurant la Table du Lion
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
City'O Appart Hotel
City'O Appart Hotel
4 out of 5
1 Quai Eugène Meslin, Caen, Calvados
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Caen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (171 reviews)
"Great hotel with a friendly staff. Within walking distance to plenty of food options and local sights."

Reviewed on Apr. 10, 2024

City'O Appart Hotel
Appart'City Classic Caen
Appart'City Classic Caen
3 out of 5
1 Ter Rue Claude Bloch, Caen, Calvados
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Caen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
7.8/10 Good! (55 reviews)
"The staff was pleasant but the room is not clean and poorly maintained"

Reviewed on Apr. 10, 2023

Appart'City Classic Caen
The Chateau +33 Pers Piscine Basket…
The Chateau +33 Pers Piscine Basket…
Amaye sur orne
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Amaye-sur-Orne. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attraction L'annexe is located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Good
"Bradley is a great host and very chill. We would love to go back again. With a large group the lack of bathrooms is difficult but if you can manage you will have a great time!"

Reviewed on Apr. 20, 2024

The Chateau +33 Pers Piscine Basket…
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Bayeux

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 68.42105263157895%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 31.57894736842105%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
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4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Aug. 6, 2019

Love Normandy.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jul. 28, 2019

Bayeux is a lovely town. Good restaurants and shopping and you have to see the Tapestry of course!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jul. 10, 2019

Beautiful medieval town, with lots of restaurants and shopping. Very close to Juno Beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jun. 2, 2019

Great historical town beautiful place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
May 23, 2019

excellent 3 days …. if we could we should have added a day to go to mont st michel

5/5 - Excellent

Kane
Nov. 15, 2018

Town has a lovely feel to it, everyone was very friendly and patient with me when they realised my French was pretty bad. Would definitely visit again.