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.

Hôtel Le St Patrice
Hôtel Le St Patrice
2 out of 5
30 rue Saint Patrice, Bayeux
The price is ¥16,359 per night from May 6 to May 7
¥16,359
per night
May 6 - May 7
Stay at this hotel in Bayeux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (436 reviews)
"I did not have hot water the first day and due to language misunderstanding they did not repair until late in the day. But once repaired, all was good"

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Hôtel Le St Patrice
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
4 out of 5
25 Rue Des Bouchers, Bayeux, Calvados
The price is ¥20,270 per night from May 5 to May 6
¥20,270
per night
May 5 - May 6
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! (375 reviews)
Bayeux gateway to the D-day beaches
"This was a very nice Hotel. It is a block off the main street. Very walkable. Kelly, from the front desk was more then accommodating.....she was very helpful. The only downside and no fault of the hotel, most stores and shops close Sunday and Monday. But otherwise a charming town"

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

Grand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
Hotel Le Bayeux
Hotel Le Bayeux
3 out of 5
9 Rue Tardif, Bayeux, Calvados
The price is ¥19,243 per night from May 7 to May 8
¥19,243
per night
May 7 - May 8
Stay at this hotel in Bayeux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (870 reviews)
2 Night Stay in Bayeux
"The hotel is in a fantastic location in Bayeux. It is very close and easy walking distance to all the sites in Bayeux. Bayeux itself is in easy driving distance to all the Normandy D-Day locations. The staff could not have been friendlier. It's not a fancy hotel, but for the price the rooms were ..."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Hotel Le Bayeux
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.
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (52 reviews)
"The staff was pleasant but the room is not clean and poorly maintained"

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023

Appart'City Classic Caen
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
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

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
157
" "5 - Excellent 82.19895287958116%
4 - Good
32
" "4 - Good 16.75392670157068%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 0.5235602094240838%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5235602094240838%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 3, 2019

Quaint town. Lovely people. Great break from Paris.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 12, 2019

The Normandy shore & mont st Michel excursions were excellent. Bayeux was centrally located to go to these places Town is quaint and the tapestry & cathedral were great Everything walkable

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 9, 2019

Excellent tourism sites, very educational, easy to access at low or reasonable cost to enjoy in one or two days

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 1, 2019

Great visit. All day tour on Normandy beaches was fantastic! Staff at hotel were great!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 8, 2019

I would highly recommend Bayeux to anyone in search of the Normandy D-Day experience. Wonderful food, beautiful scenery, and lots of fabulous tour companies to choose from.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 23, 2019

Normandy is a lovely area of France. Having been in the south of France for a week it was a nice contrast.