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Bayeux

Visit Bayeux (Normandy, France)

The town of Bayeux is a popular destination in Normandy, near the coast and north-west of Caen.

Explorer Bayeux

There are several reasons that people visit Bayeux including the famous tapestry; the town and cathedral; and the proximity of the Normandy Landing beaches.

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.

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.

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.

An extraordinary feat, the tapestry is about 80 metres long and 50 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, not surprisingly, in the town of Bayeux in the Centre Guillaume le Conquerant, itself a 17th century seminary building.

Bayeux - the town

Bayeux itself 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.

The medieval streets around the cathedral also have lots of medieval houses, some half-timbered, and many other historic houses of interest. The Bayeux Tourist office have 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 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.

Nearby, 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 a message to be engraved on the headstone and reading the messages is a very poignant experience.

Bayeux Museums

Across the road from here is the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy (Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie). This museum recounts the action seen 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.

Note: Bayeux is twinned with Dorchester (Dorset, England)

Photos of Bayeux

Click any picture to start the gallery

Tourist classifications for Bayeux

Bayeux is classified as a historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)

Address: Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, 14400 || GPS: latitude 49.276, longitude -0.705

Map of Bayeux & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Bayeux.
See Normandy and Calvados (the region and department for Bayeux) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Bayeux, France

• Cathédrale Notre Dame (Bayeux) - religious monument
• Eglise de Saint Pierre (Rucqueville) - religious monument (9km)
• Prieuré (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy) - religious monument (9km)
• Prieuré de Saint Gabriel Brécy (Saint-Gabriel-Brecy) - religious monument (10km)
• Jardins du château de Brécy - remarkable garden (10km)
• Plantbessin - remarkable garden (10km)
• Abbaye de Cerisy-la-Forêt (Cerisy-la-Foret) - religious monument (19km)
• Villers-Bocage - village d'etape (22km)
• Abbaye de Caen (Caen) - religious monument (27km)
• Parc zoologique de Jurques - zoo or wildlife park (31km)

Market days in Bayeux: 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)