BAYEUX

Bayeux can be visited on foot (or by byke), it is not very big and all the interesting places are close to each other so no need for a vehicle to move around in the city.

Rent a bike in Bayeux

LOC VELO in Bayeux
Website HERE.
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A rental bike is an excellent option to visit Bayeux and the surroundings .
At LOC VELO, you have the choice among 400 bikes of all sorts (classic, mountain, electric…) !
Delivery to your hotel possible in all the region from 2 bikes rented.
A very professionnal company with impeccable service !
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I advise you to book your bike in advance directly on the website during the high season.
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Visit & Tours

Museums

Eat & Drink

Sleep

OFFICE OF TOURISM
Rue Saint Jean, 14400 Bayeux
Ph : 02 31 51 28 28
Email : info@bayeux-tourism.com
Open 7/7

DISCOVER BAYEUX ON YOUTUBE
A very interesting documentary (in French) was created in 2023 by the French actor Lorànt Deutsch (passionate about history) on Bayeux :
« Bayeux… à Toute Berzingue ! » (= Bayeux… at full speed !) is available on YouTube HERE.

MUST-SEE & MUST-DO IN BAYEUX

– Stroll in the beautiful streets of the town and observe the wonderful manor houses, mansions and half-timbered houses.
And don’t forget to look up : you will discover many treasures on the façades !
– Admire the cathedral and go on a guided visit.
– Visit the 3 museums of the city :
The Tapestry, the Mahb and the Museum about the Battle of Normandy.
– Pay tribute to the fallen soldiers burried at the British war cemetery.
– Go shopping in the nice little shops of the main street which has 3 different names !
– Have a coffee or a tea with a French patisserie in a lovely tea-room.
– Eat in a delicious restaurant but don’t forget to book your table before…

A bit of history about Bayeux

Renowned throughout the world for its 11th-century tapestry inscribed in 2007 in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, Bayeux has an exceptional architectural heritage, dating mainly from medieval times.

Founded under the name of «Augustodurum» in Gallo-Roman times, the city was surrounded by walls in the 3rd century to protect itself from invasions.
Integrated in 924 in the domain of the viking chief Rollon, first duke of Normandy, it became after Rouen the most important city of Normandy. A fortified castle was built in 960 by the 3rd Duke of Normandy, Richard I. This castle was located on the current Place de Gaulle.
During the medieval period, five villages were created outside the walls, reflecting the development of the city at that time. At the instigation of Bishop Hugues II and his successor, Odon de Conteville, brother of William the Conqueror, the city was enriched by a new cathedral, dedicated in 1077. But it was during this same period that the city lost influence because William the Conqueror decided in 1050 to make Caen the capital of his duchy.
The 17th century was marked by the development of religious institutions : construction of the seminary, the Hôtel-Dieu, the Benedictine convent, the Ursuline convent… It was also the time of the installation of the first lace factories. It was not until the beginning of the 18th century that the city underwent major changes, with the destruction of the ramparts and the castle, dismantled from 1773 by order of Louis XVI, and the construction of private mansions testifying to the luxury of the time.
Bayeux was the first French town to be liberated following the D-Day on 7 June 1944. Spared by allied bombing, it suffered little damage. During the Battle of Normandy, Bayeux was a base for the British army.
Today, the city can boast of a beautiful medieval historic center and real architectural treasures. In addition to its famous Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, you will also discover Bayeux through its half-timbered houses, mansions with towers, large and elegant bourgeois properties… It is a small town that is really worth a visit !

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to get to Bayeux ?

1- BY CAR :
Bayeux is :
– 2hr45-3hrs from Paris
– 25 minutes from Caen (RN 13)
– 1hr15 from Cherbourg (RN13)
– 2hrs from Rennes (A84)

My tips if you arrive by car :

From Monday to Friday, traffic is heavy from Bayeux to Caen in the morning (around 8am) since many people go to work in Caen.
And from 5pm, same problem, from Caen to Bayeux when people go back home… the ring road is often saturated.

2- BY TRAIN :
– 2hr15- 2h40 from Paris (Paris-Cherbourg axis) / 20 min from Caen / 2h40 from Rennes (Caen-Rennes axis)
– To buy your train tickets : on the website of the French railway company, the SNCF HERE.
– I advise you to book your train as soon as possible as the rates are flexible according to supply and demand and the price difference can be huge.
– In France you can buy 1st class or 2nd class train tickets. Honestly, the second class is okay. The first class is more comfortable.

My tips if you take the train :

Train timetables are not the same during the week and over the week-end (fewer trains on Saturday and Sunday).
Trains on Friday evening from Paris to Bayeux and on Sunday evening from Bayeux to Paris are often crowded.
Select a direct train from Paris (Saint Lazare train station) to Bayeux so you don’t have to take a connection : some trains stop in Caen and you may have to catch a connection to Bayeux which is stressful for some people.
The stop in Bayeux is very short (1 minute) as the train continues its way to Cherbourg so be ready to get off : keep in mind that when you arrive at Caen train station, 16 minutes later you will be in Bayeux.
As you may know, in France there are often train strikes and then the train traffic is very disturbed. You must be aware of this.
Lastly, it happens that trains are late…
Bayeux has a tiny train station so you won’t get lost, no worries. The station is about 10-15 minute walk from the city center depending where you will be staying.
During the day, you will find taxis at the exit if you need them. At night, you will have to call a taxi company.
– You can also book your taxi in advance if you prefer :
– Bayeux Taxis : 06 70 40 07 96 / taxisbayeux@orange.fr
– Taxis du Bessin : 02 31 92 92 40 / taxisdubessin@yahoo.fr

Where to park in Bayeux ?

In Bayeux, there are paid parkings and quite a lot of free parkings.
You will also find « blue zones » (with blue dashed lines on the ground) : free but limited to 4 hours with the use of the European blue disc (can be bought in a gas station or a superarket). You select your arrival time and display the disc behind your window screen.

1- PAID PARKINGS
– Paying from Monday to Saturday : 9am-12pm & 2pm-7pm.
– Free at night and on Sunday.

My tips for paid parkings in Bayeux :

There is no long-term parking in Bayeux city center but only parkings with a limited time (maximum 3 hours /4 hours for the blue zones).
The only long-term car park in Bayeux is located at the train station which can be a good option : it’s free for the first 24 hours, then you pay for the time you stay.
➔ A good option if you come to Bayeux just for the day or for a day trip. The train station is about a 10-minute walk from the Bayeux Tapestry in the city center and from Place de Québec, which is the starting point for group tours to the D-Day beaches or Mont Saint Michel.
➔ Some tour companies can also pick you up directly from the train station. Check with them or on their website.

2- MY SELECTION OF FREE PARKINGS IN THE CITY CENTER
– Place (square) de la Lombardie, in front of Alain Chartier High school (often full on Saturday because of the weekly market which is very close).
– all around the place (square) de Gaulle.
– parking on street de la Vallée des prés, close to the gymnasium Pierre de Coubertin
– all along the ring road Boulevard Marechal Leclerc and Boulevard Sadi Carnot.

My advice if you stay in Bayeux several days :
Some hotels have their own private parking, which is very convenient and a huge advantage in Bayeux : this can be a good reason to choose a place to stay if you have a vehicle.

VISIT

For guided tours of Bayeux click HERE.

DISCOVER THE OLD BAYEUX WITH « THE HERITAGE TRAIL » : a very informative self-guided walking tour of 2,5 km (1,5 miles).
This loop allows you to explore the medieval city and discover its history and secrets with 23 explanatory panels to read along the way (panels in French and in
English).
➢ Duration: 1hr30 min / Starting point : Bayeux Tapestry.
➢ Follow the bronze markers on the sidewalk to help you find your way.

➢ You can collect a map from the Office of Tourism.

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL OF BAYEUX
I love walking in this magnificent cathedral where there’s a sense of grandeur and magnificence.
Also discover the new superb contemporary stained glass windows made by the artist Véronique Joumard : their colors clash… and amaze : they are made of dichroic glass. Depending on the angle of view and the light outside, the colours change, both outside the cathedral and inside.
The cathedral in short…
Right in the heart of Bayeux, this ipressive cathedral is a Norman jewel of medieval architecture very well preserved.

The cathedral of Bayeux was consecrated in 1077 by Bishop Odon de Conteville in the presence of his half-brother, William the Conqueror. To decorate the nave, Odon had the famous Bayeux Tapestry embroidered, which tells the story of the conquest of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy.
**I highly recommend**: a small group guided tour with the Bayeux Tourist Office which provides access to the Treasury and Chapter rooms usually closed to the public.
➢ 1-hour guided tour (around 6 euros) in French and in English with a guide from the Office of Tourism.
➢ Days of visit : at certain dates (in summer + during school holidays) : check with the Office of Tourism.
➢ Two departures per day (during the season) from Monday to Friday : at 11:15pm (in French and English) and at 3:30pm (only in French).
➢ Meeting point : front gate of the cathedral.
➢ To buy tickets : on site or before the visit at the Office of Tourism.
➢ Small groups of maximum of 18 people.

THE TREE OF FREEDOM, next to the cathedral.
➢ During the Revolution, a plane tree was chosen as the symbol of freedom in Bayeux.
➢ Plane tree is also a symbol of life, growth and strength : renowned for its rapid growth (five metres in 10 years), its longevity and its resistance – both to climatic variations and air pollution.
➢ It was buried on March 30, 1797 in the centre of the Liberty Square, the former inner courtyard of the Bayeux bishops’ palace.
➢ Today, this tree is distinguished and protected by the “Remarkable Tree of France” label and measures 30 meters high for a trunk of nearly 2 meters in diameter.

PLACE DE GAULLE
One of my favorite place in the city center of Bayeux, so beautiful at any season : two hectares of greenery and serenity surrounded by 253 linden trees (fewer now because of the storm Ciaran on November 2, 2023). A hundred of these trees had been planted in 1840. Admire the fountain in the middle of the square dating from 1888 surmounted by the statue of « Poppa of Bayeux ».
All around the square stand beautiful bourgeois houses and mansions dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Place de Gaulle is the place where young people like to meet after school and on sunny days.
For my part, I love coming here at any time of the day when I walk my dog : the light is extraordinary and I can make beautiful photos.
This is also the ideal place for a picnic on the grass right in the city center.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PLACE DE GAULLE ?
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The former name of this square was « Place du château » ( Castle Square).
The castle of Bayeux was built here under Richard I of Normandy in the 10th century and was dismantled in 1773 after the French Revolution.
The square was converted into a public space at the beginning of the 19th century. In the Bayeux plan of 1895, it was called «Place Saint-Sauveur».
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Why « Place de Gaulle » ?
A few days after the landing of Normandy, General de Gaulle symbolically wished to meet the French in one of the first liberated cities of France : he made a first speech in Bayeux on this square on June 14, 1944.
A monument to his speech was erected there on 14 December 1944 (still visible today).
Two years after the landing, on 16 June 1946, de Gaulle gave a second speech there, one of his most important speeches as he explained his vision of the future French Constitution.
The square took the name of General de Gaulle in 1946.
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The fountain and its statue.
The statue of the young woman above the fountain is Poppa, daughter of Béranger Comte de Bayeux (Count of Bayeux) and wife of the Viking chief Rollon, first Duke of Normandy.
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THE BRITISH WAR CEMETERY : the biggest British war cemetery in France.
1945 Bd Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux (opposite the Museum of the Battle of Normandy).
Free access, 7/7.
➢ 4,648 soldiers killed in the fighting of the Second World War, including nearly 4,000 British are buried here.
➢ also graves of Australian, New Zealand, South African, Polish, Russian, French, Czech, Italian and German soldiers.
➢ opposite the cemetry, stands a Memorial in memory of the 2,092 Commonwealth soldiers who fell during the Battle of Normandy and whose bodies could not be identified.

Behind the Memorial Cemetery, you’ll find the Reporters Memorial, honoring journalists who have lost their lives worldwide since 1944 in defense of press freedom.
Free access 7/7.

WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING MARKETS : local traders and producers in two typically French markets.
The Saturday market is bigger than the Wednesday market.
• Saint-Jean market, Wednesday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, street Saint-Jean.
• Saint-Patrice market, Saturday from 7:30 am to 2 pm, Saint-Patrice square.
During the summer period (July & Agust), the market of the Terroir and Norman craftsmanship takes place every Thursday evening close to the cathedral. Meet many local artisans and producers. Concerts with local artists are sometimes organized.

- OTHER PLACES OF INTERESTS FOR NATURE LOVERS
  1- THE BOTANICAL GARDEN (Jardin Botanique)
  Open from 9am to 5 or 7 or 8pm according to the seasons / free entry.
  55 route de Port-en-Bessin, 14400 Bayeux.
  
  ➢ Bayeux Botanical Garden was created in 1859 and is listed as one of the most beautiful landscape parks of the 19th century in Normandy.
  ➢ Thanks to 17 informative panels you can discover at your own pace the botanical riches of the garden and historical anecdotes about the city.
  
  **MUST SEE in the garden** : The most spectacular element of this garden is a “weeping beech tree” planted around 1860, declared a natural monument since 1932 and labeled “remarkable tree of France” since 2000.
  It was voted the most beautiful tree in France at the end of 2023. And it competed in early 2024 for the title of European Tree of the Year (and came in 2nd place !).
  This unique tree measures 17 meters high and 40 meters in diameter !

2- WALK OR JOG ALONG THE AURE RIVER
A very pleasant way to discover Bayeux differently !
This river that winds through Bayeux served as a driving force for the city’s mills and today maintains a great biodiversity in the nearby sensitive natural area.
Take your camera, as you will have many opportunities to take beautiful photos while discovering the city’s heritage (mills, wash houses, even ducks that take a dip in the river…!).
➢ Starting point : the waterwheel close to the Tapestry.
➢ Follow the 4-km walk which runs through Bayeux from south to north.
➢ For pedestrians and cyclists only : you can walk, jog, cycle or just relax and enjoy the beautiful setting.
➢ Also : rest areas ( ideal for a picnic) and games for children.

GUIDED TOURS OF BAYEUX

1- GROUP TOUR : guided tours of old Bayeux with a local guide (no museums included).

A 1,5-hour group tour with a guide from the Office of Tourism.
There are schedules for visits in English and in French.
Call or write an email to get all the information or go directly on site.
Ph : 02 31 51 28 28
Email : info@bayeux-tourism.com
A 2-hour group tour (only in English) with Christèle or Marie-Noëlle from Discovery Walks, a local company.
Website HERE.
Group tour every day at 9:30am from March 1 to September 30 leaving from the Tourist Office.
Private tours also available, see below.

2- PRIVATE TOURS

« Discovery Walks » : Discover Bayeux with Marie-Noëlle or Christèle, two specialists in Bayeux history : a lively and very informative tour.
Website HERE.
Anne Gosselin offers several very interesting private walking tours of Bayeux :
Mysteries and legends of a cathedral
Sweet and Savory
Romantic Bayeux…
Website HERE.
François from « Normandy à la carte » offers a half-day private tour including the visit of Bayeux, Port-en-Bessin and Longues-sur-Mer Abbey. Transportation included.
Website HERE.

3- DISCOVERING BAYEUX WITH KIDS THROUGH A TREASURE HUNT (available in French and in English).
A Treasure Hunt with an ipad !

« The Quest for the Faat (a Pig ) ! » : created by the owners of the shop La Porce-Laine, a brand born in Bayeux .
33 rue Saint Martin (Bayeux main street).

Set off for an adventure through the streets of Bayeux : as a team or competing against your friends, solve the clues and follow the trail to find Saint-Faat !

– Minimum age : 10 years old
– 2-5 people
– 1hr30 min
– Available in French and in English
– 20 euros per group (1 ipad)
– 3 departures per day: 10:30am – 1:30pm – 4:30pm
– Ipad to be picked up from the shop.
– The shop is closed on Sunday & Monday.
– Booking & more info HERE.

MUSEUMS

MY RECOMMENDATIONS
I cannot recommend you to visit one museum more than another because they are all interesting and it depends on your interests. But all I can say is that you can’t be in Bayeux and not visit the Tapestry…
The 3 museums of the city are close to each other which allows to go on foot. No need to use a vehicle.

Important information about the 3 museums
– Tickets must be bought onsite only ( no online tickets, no reservation except for groups)
– Buy 2 or 3 museum-combined tickets to save money .
– free -10 years old.
– Different opening times according to the seasons, please check online thanks to the links given for each museum.
– Last admission 45 minutes before closing time.
– Open 7 days a week and accessible to people with reduced mobility.
– Free access for everyone during the «European Heritage Days» every year on the third weekend of September.
– Closed on December 24 & 25 ; December 31 afternoon and January 1-31.

BAYEUX TAPESTRY : a must-see in Bayeux to my mind !
13 bis rue de Nesmond, 14400 Bayeux.
Website HERE.
Duration of the visit : 1hr to 1hr30, no guided visit available, only with audioguides available in 16 languages.

The Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of William Duke of Normandy who became King of England in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings.
But in fact, it is not a tapestry : it is made of wool threads embroidered on linen canvas.
The visit of the museum is organised in three sections to understand the work and its context.
Useful : on the website, there is an indication of the waiting time according to the hours of the day (very useful during the high season !).

MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY
Bd Fabian Ware, 14400 Bayeux.
Website HERE.
Duration of the visit : 1hr30-2hrs.
This museum is the only site in the area to present all the military operations that took place in Normandy from June 7 ( liberation of Bayeux) to August 29, 1944.
– A very informative museum : you will learn about the military operations of the battle of Normandy and the major battles.
– Lots of material and equipment on display (vehicles, guns, uniforms, mannequins of soldiers…) : children and teenagers will like that (and adults as well).
– A very interesting 25-minute film based on archival documents ( in French & English) which explains the major operations of this battle. Maps are used to show the troops movements which helps a lot to understand the situation.
– The Falaise – Chambois pocket is evoked through a giant diorama : this very violent and destructive battle in the Orne department ended the battle of Normandy.
Eisenhower said that it was « one of the greatest killings of the war ».
** If you are interested by the Falaise-Chambois pocket, I advise you to visit the Montormel Memorial in Montormel (in The Orne department, 1hr15-min drive from Bayeux).
– Montormel Memorial website HERE. **

THE MAHB, ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM
37 rue du Bienvenu, 14400 Bayeux (next to the cathedral).
Website HERE.
Duration of the visit : 1hr-2hrs.

Located in the former episcopal palace, I like the magnificent staging of the exhibits !
– Collections from prehistory to the 20th century on a chronological tour.
– You will discover not only collections but also a historic building.
– And also the Bayeux lace* and porcelain which are emblematic of the city.

* Just opposite the MAHB, you will find the Bayeux Lace Conservatory (6 rue du Bienvenu).
It is located in a half-timbered house dating from the 15th century and called Adam and Eve’s House.
The speciality of Bayeux lace-making was bobbin lace.
– Open to visitors from Monday to Saturday, 9:30am- 12:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm.
– During these hours you can observe the work of lace makers.
– Exceptional closures are indicated directly on the door.

EAT & DRINK

MY RECOMMENDATIONS TO EAT IN BAYEUX
In France, service is always included in restaurant prices but a tip is welcome if you are satisfied.
You can pay cash or with a credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
American express is rarely accepted so plan another credit card.

– Reserve (!) your restaurants in Bayeux in advance especially in high season (from May to September but also on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year in fact) or you will certainly have no room and you will starve… Bayeux hasa lot of places to eat, but believe me, they are all full most of the time especially for dinner and on Saturdays.

– Many restaurants in Bayeux are closed on Sunday so I mention in my list the ones open on that day.

– If you prefer to picnic somewhere in Bayeux, buy some food and drinks in a bakery or in a supermarket in town.
You can buy some excellent sandwiches, salads in the bakeries of Bayeux or some food (salads, fruits, yoghurts, biscuits, bottles of water or any drink…) in the following supermarkets and hypermarkets :

– NEW and open 7/7, 8am-10pm : Cocci Market (a small grocery store in the middle of the main street) :
31 rue Saint-Malo, 14400 Bayeux.
– Minimarket Carrefour city (close to the Office of Tourism, city center) :
22 rue Saint Jean, 14400 Bayeux
Monday-Saturday : 7am-9pm
Sunday : 9am-1pm
– Supermarket U Express (close to the city center) :
54 bis rue Saint Patrice, 14400 Bayeux
Monday-Saturday : 8:30am-7:30pm
Sunday 9am-12:30pm
– Hypermarket Leclerc (close to the British cemetery)
Bd du 6 juin, 14400 Bayeux
Monday-Saturday : 8:30am-8pm.
Closed on Sunday.
– Hypermarket Carrefour (further from the city center)
Route de Vaux-sur-Aure, 14400 Bayeux.
Monday-Saturday : 8:30am-8pm
Sunday : 9am-12:30pm

WHERE TO PICNIC IN BAYEUX ?
– Place de Gaulle : on the grass (if the weather permits..), this is the perfect place to enjoy your picnic lunch right in the city center ! Don’t forget to leave the place clean of course and put all your waste in the garbage …
– Along the Aure River, where you will find stone benches.
– A little further from the city center : at the Botanical Garden where you will find a few stone tables and benches.