The town of Bayeux is a popular destination in Normandy, near the coast and north-west of Caen and is also listed as one of less than 100 important protected Historic Towns in France.
There are several reasons that people visit Bayeux including the famous tapestry; the town and cathedral; and the proximity of the Normandy Landing beaches.
Explorer Bayeux
France This Way review: of course, Bayeux is best known for the tapestry, but even if you don't plan to see the tapestry the old town around the cathedral and along the river is well worth exploring.
Bayeaux tapestry
The Bayeux tapestry is without doubt the most famous tapestry in the world, and an unmissable site when you are in this part of Normandy. The tapestry relates the story of the conquest of England and King Harold by the Norman, William the Conqueror, in the Battle of Hastings, including the preparations for the battle and the battle itself.
Although the origins of the tapestry are slightly unclear, it appears probable it was either commissioned by the half-brother of William the Conqueror or his wife. The tapestry was also probably completed around 1077, and it seems likely it was made in England, although even that is not certain.
Despite its probable English origins the tapestry is, of course, a French National Treasure.
An extraordinary feat, the tapestry is about 68 metres long and 70 centimetres high and is a fascinating document that provides a great deal of valuable information about life at that time. The tapestry can be seen in the town of Bayeux in the Centre Guillaume le Conquerant, itself a 17th century seminary building.
Bayeux - the town
Bayeux is an attractive town with a reasonably well-preserved medieval centre, centred around a renowned cathedral. The Cathedrale Notre Dame dates in part from 1077, although most of what we see today is in gothic style and was built in the 13th to 15th centuries.
The tapestry was originally displayed here in the cathedral before being moved to its current location in the Centre Guillaume le Conquerant. Note that the stained glass windows in the cathedral, like the tapestry, tell the story of William the Conqueror.
In the medieval streets around the cathedral you can see lots of medieval houses, some half-timbered, and many other historic houses of interest. These grand townhouses were built over a long period, from the 14th century to the 18th century, so include a wide range of different styles.
The Grand hôtel d'Argouges at 4 Rue Saint-Malo is among the most interesting: built in the 15th century it incorporates numerous carved statues in the upper parts of the facade. The house on the corner of 1, rue des Cuisiniers, is another very impressive half-timbered medieval house.
The Bayeux Tourist office can give you a useful leaflet with a suggested route to follow as you explore the centre, giving information about the individual sites you pass along the way.
If the tourist office is closed or you don't have time to complete the route then as a minimum you should explore the streets around the tourist office itself (Rue Saint Jean), the town around the cathedral and then stroll along the Rue de la Maitrise to the Place Charles de Gaulle.
Close to here Bayeux also houses the largest British war cemetery in Normandy. The cemetery is very moving, immaculately kept and the graves are planted with a lovely mix of perennials and red roses. Families of British soldiers buried here were offered the chance to write messages to be engraved on the headstone and reading the messages is a very poignant experience.
Bayeux Museums
Across the road from here you can visit the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy (Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie). This museum recounts the progress of World War 2 in Normandy from the 7 June to the 29 August 1944.
The Museum Baron Gérard in Bayeux is also interesting, with collections that tell the history of the town, including the important lace and porcelain industries, as well as exhibiting a good number of works of art.
Attractions nearby
Bayeaux is a popular base for exploring the beaches where the allied forces landed in 1944 at the beginning of the reconquest of Europe. See separate article about a visit to the Normandy Landing Beaches.
You can find more travel ideas in the Calvados guide and the Normandy guide.
To make travel arrangements to visit Bayeux see HERE
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Photos of Bayeux
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Map of Bayeux and places nearby
Places to visit near Bayeux
Arromanches
Arromanches is well known as the town where the Mulberry Harbour was built during the D-Day landings in 1944
Arromanches guide
Normandy landing beaches
70 years on and the Normandy Landing Beches still attract thousands of visitors interested in the D-Day landings in 1944.
Normandy landing beaches guide
Caen
With a castle, two abbeys and an attracive historic centre Caen is a very pleasant town to explore
Caen guide
Cabourg
One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region
Cabourg guide
Dives-sur-Mer
In the 'Village of William the Conqueror' at Dives-sur-Mer artisans and artists are brought together in a medieval setting
Dives-sur-Mer guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Calvados
Tourist classifications for Bayeux
Bayeux is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Bayeux, Normandy, 14400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 49.276, longitude -0.705
Plan your visit to Bayeux, Calvados
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Cathédrale Notre Dame (Bayeux): religious monument
- Prieuré (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy): religious monument (9 km)
- Eglise de Saint Pierre (Rucqueville): religious monument (9 km)
- Prieuré de Saint Gabriel Brécy (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy): religious monument (10 km)
- Jardins du château de Brécy: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Plantbessin: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Forêt de Cerisy: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Abbaye de Cerisy-la-Forêt (Cerisy-la-Foret): religious monument (19 km)
- Villers-Bocage: village d'etape (22 km)
- Jardin des plantes de Caen: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Prairie (Caen): site of natural beauty (27 km)
- Abbaye de Caen (Caen): religious monument (27 km)
Market days in Bayeux, France
Regular market(s) are held in Bayeux each Wednesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Bayeux (Francais)