Location: Bayeux
Top Things to do in Bayeux
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The 8 Best Things to Do in Bayeux, France
The northern French town of Bayeux is best known for the eponymous tapestry that depicts the 11th-century Norman Conquest. You can see it, of course, on display at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. The cloth’s original home was the Bayeux Cathedral, which still towers over the area, looking a bit like a Gothic wedding cake. Inside you’ll find beautifully detailed murals and haunting crypts. Bayeux makes an excellent jumping off point to tour nearby historic WWII sites.
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1. British War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
The town of Bayeux, in Normandy, lies 30 kilometres north-west of Caen. Bayeux War Cemetery is situated in the south-western outskirts of the town on the by-pass (D5), which is named Boulevard Fabian Ware. On the opposite side of the road stands the Bayeux Memorial. BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, which was completed in 1952, contains 4,144 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 338 of them unidentified. There are also over 500 war graves of other nationalities, the majority German. The BAYEUX MEMORIAL stands opposite the cemetery and bears the names of more than 1,800 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died in the early stages of the campaign and have no known grave. They died during the landings in Normandy, during the intense fighting in Normandy itself, and during the advance to the River Seine in August.
Reviewed By eurotrippers - Walsall, United Kingdom
Beautifully maintained cemetery containing about 4500 graves of mainly British soldiers, airmen and sailors who fell during the battle of Normandy. Men mainly in their 20s with some poignant messages engraved on the headstones. A very touching experience.
There are other nationalities buried here to, including German, Polish, Commonwealth and even some Russians.
2. Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
This museum houses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-m long piece of embroidery that graphically tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.Listed UNESCO Memory of the World. Duration of visit about 1h30. Annual closure in January
Reviewed By Ang14067 - Tacoma, Washington
I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging this museum was. I have little interest in Eleventh century history, at least I thought so. I went at the request of a family member and was fascinated. The tapestry is viewed with a simple audio dialog which is clear and includes just the details you need to understand the story illustrated by the embroidery. I usually find audio tours include too many details, but this was just right. Upstairs are many displays with a lot more details, perfect for history buffs. Even without the upstairs display I thought the tour was worth the price.
My only complaint was the signage wasn’t very clear showing that there was more to see upstairs; I suspect many people just leave after seeing the tapestry and that’s unfortunate. Also, it was hard to figure out how to leave afterwards: the signs on the exits were confusing, seeming to say both “exit” and “do not pass” at the same time.
3. Notre Dame Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bayeux is an impressive building, a mix of Romanesque in the 11th century crypt and glorious Gothic in the 13th-century nave. In the 11th century after the Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066, ties with England were strong. You'll see a reference to the turbulent past above the south transept portal where sculpted scenes show the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral on the orders of King Henry II of England. The Bayeux Tapestry was kept here from the 11th to the 18th centuries, probably displayed for the first time on the day the Cathedral was consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror.
4. Musee Baron Gerard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
In the heart of the Episcopal palace of Bayeux, the MAHB reopened in 2013, provides a journey through history of art in Europe, from Archeology to Modern Art.-600 pieces of art with Impressionnist masterpiece of Gustave Caillebotte and Eugene Boudin-1000 pieces of Bayeux porcelain and lace-800 archeological and ethnographic pieces
Reviewed By Susan M - Alpharetta, Georgia
Museum was recommended by our hostess at the B&B, La Tour Louise. It is a short walk in town of Bayeux. The collections range from prehistoric to the present. The most impressive collection for me was the array of lace---and the displays of the types of lace, the patterns, the bobbins----the lace clothing---beautiful.
There are still lace makers in Bayeux. The porcelain collection was interesting as well.., you meander through promenades as you journey thru time. A nice museum and another way to learn more about the history of Bayeux. I recommend! We did the tapestry museum so we received a discount on the tickets. There is a gift shop and elevator.
5. Museum of the Battle of Normandy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Situated near the British Military Cemetery of Bayeux, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy narrates the battles which took place in Normandy after the D-Day landings, between 7th June and 29th August 1944. The collections of military equipment, the diorama and the archival films allow the visitor to grasp the enormous effort made during this decisive battle in order to restore peace in Europe.
Reviewed By eurotrippers - Walsall, United Kingdom
Very detailed exhibits with lots of information to read on all aspects of the Battle of Normandy and includes tanks, bombs machine guns etc.
Having visited the towns of Caen and Lisieux as they are today, you can see the utter devastation caused by Allied bombing in photographs taken at the time. It is even worse than those on the Television of Syria today. These little French towns were obliterated and when you the size of the bombs dropped, it is clear why. 2500 French civilians died in Caen alone. It must have been an horrendous and bitter/sweet experience for all the families concerned.
Amongst all the horror, there is some humour to be found. Look out for how the Resistance "liberated" horse transport from the Germans.
6. Around Europe Battlefields Tours Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 75 reviews
Normandy D-Day Beaches tour, Guided tour of Omaha Beach,American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, Ste Mere Eglise. Cruise ship shore Excursions from Normandy Ports, Private tour, Schedule group tour from Bayeux, we have a full range of vehicles from sedan to buses.
Reviewed By Stylianos S - Athens, Greece
Apart all other beauties of Normandy it is a must visit to the Beaches of d day invasion .
It is a very emotional area and if someone knows what happened at this day , pictures of the events will come up in a very emotional way . American Cemetery in Omaha beach is a great memorial, honored soldiers died that day.
7. Jardin Public de Bayeux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By John C - Melbourne, Australia
We visited in mid-May so the spring flower displays, particularly the Rhododendrons and Azaleas made a very attractive visit. A highlight of the Gardens is a Weeping Beech tree planted some 140 years ago of diameter 40 m and height of 17m. It is quite an experience to walk from the sunlight through the low hanging branches into the shade of the underside of the canopy. The branches are supported by steel structures here and there to ensure that it does not collapse, I suppose to be expected after 140 years. It’s a pleasant diversion from some of the main tourist sites.
8. Reporters Memorial
Overall Ratings
4 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By Linda H - Yeovil, United Kingdom
We walked here from the centre of town. It took about 15 mins at a leisurely place. Amazing to see the number of journalists who have died over so many years. We didn't find it that easily and seemed to enter from the back. Well worth the search
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