Bayeux
The Tapestry, the cathedral and the capital of the Liberation
Just 30 minutes from the gîte, Bayeux is one of Normandy’s richest cities — and one of the few to have been spared the bombing of 1944. The first French town to be liberated, on 7 June 1944, it served as the provisional capital of France throughout that summer. But its fame goes back much further: for nearly a thousand years, the Bayeux Tapestry — a monumental 11th-century wool embroidery — has brought worldwide renown to this city of the Bessin.
Important note before you go
For the very first time in its history, the Bayeux Tapestry will be on loan to the British Museum in London from September 2026 to July 2027. If you visit Bayeux during this period, the Tapestry will not be on display. It will return to Bayeux in autumn 2027 in a newly renovated setting, to mark the Millenium 2027 — European Year of the Normans. Beyond the Tapestry, the town is well worth visiting in its own right.
What to see in Bayeux?
The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapestry Museum) — a world masterpiece of the Middle Ages, this 70-metre-long wool embroidery on linen depicts the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066, from the death of Edward the Confessor to the Battle of Hastings. Created shortly after the events it portrays, it is an unparalleled historical and artistic document. Allow 1 to 1h30 on site.
Notre-Dame Cathedral — a jewel of Norman architecture, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles with rare harmony. Its 11th-century Romanesque nave, towers and lantern tower are remarkable. For centuries, the Tapestry was displayed here. Not to be missed: the Romanesque crypt adorned with frescoes and the sculpted capitals.
The old town — Bayeux displays exceptional architectural heritage: stone mansions in Caen limestone, half-timbered houses, fountains and cobbled lanes. A simple stroll through the historic centre — along the banks of the Aure and around Place Charles-de-Gaulle — is a lesson in both history and beauty.
The Baron Gérard Museum (MAHB) — housed in an 18th-century mansion, it brings together paintings, porcelain and a superb collection of needle lace — Bayeux lace has been celebrated since the 17th century. The nearby Conservatoire de la Dentelle à l’Aiguille offers live demonstrations by lacemakers.
The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy 1944 — a comprehensive museum dedicated to the 76 days of the Battle of Normandy (June–August 1944), with weapons, vehicles, uniforms and archive documents. Essential viewing before visiting the D-Day beaches.
The British Military Cemetery — the largest British military cemetery in France, with 4,144 graves. Opposite it, the memorial bears a famous inscription: “We, who are about to die, salute you with our dreams.”
The Saturday market — one of Normandy’s largest markets, on Place Saint-Patrice. Local producers, cheeses, seafood, poultry and Bessin specialities. A must for a Saturday morning.
Allow a full day for Bayeux. The town is very easily explored on foot from the free car park by the Aure river. Combine with a visit to the D-Day beaches (Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc) for a complete D-Day circuit.