Free walking tours in Bayeux and what to see

Must-sees

Bayeux is a small Normandy town about ten kilometres from the D-Day coast that came through the Second World War almost intact. It is famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, a medieval embroidery about 70 metres long that tells the story of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. Before you go, check whether the tapestry is on display in Bayeux: its museum is being renovated and the piece has been lent temporarily to the British Museum in London.

The cathedral of Notre-Dame, consecrated in the 11th century and extended in Gothic style, dominates the old town and keeps a Romanesque crypt. Around it are streets of stone and half-timbered houses, mills on the River Aure and the Baron Gérard museum of art and history. For more recent history, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the British war cemetery opposite are essential stops.

Free tours and guided visits

Bayeux has no regular free walking tours. The town is a popular base for the D-Day beaches, and the options here include a private sidecar tour of those sites. Day trips also leave for Mont-Saint-Michel, less than two hours away by road, for those not travelling by car. The small, flat old town is easy to explore on your own.

How long to spend

The town itself can be seen in half a day or a day: cathedral, old town and museums. Most people stay two or three days and use Bayeux as a base for the D-Day beaches, such as Omaha Beach and Arromanches, and the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. If you add Mont-Saint-Michel, allow another day.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the old town, near the cathedral, with small hotels and chambres d’hôtes in stone houses and everything within walking distance. If you are driving, the surrounding villages and the coast, such as Arromanches and Port-en-Bessin, have country cottages and seaside accommodation. Caen, about 30 kilometres away with a direct train, has more choice and a range of prices.