Bayeux
The Art and History town of Bayeux
At the heart of the Bessin region of Calvados, Bayeux is a town with an exceptional architectural heritage. The small, medieval town has distinguished itself many times during its thousand-year old history and has many world-famous treasures like the celebrated Bayeux tapestry, recorded on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Bayeux is renowned for its history and also for its good food. Bessin is brimful of local produce like crème fraîche and AOP butter from Isigny Sainte Mère which are part of many of the dishes on the menus of Bayeux restaurants. The compact town is a lovely place to stroll around with cobbled streets, half-timbered facades and little craft shops.
Bayeux has a busy programme of events. Every year at the beginning of summer the town is transported back to the Middle Ages during the Médiévales de Bayeux when the streets echo to the music and songs of troubadours and minstrels !
Bayeux is an ideal destination to combine sight-seeing, relaxation and leisure activities as it has something for everyone. Take time to contemplate the fabulous 70-metre long Bayeux Tapestry and understand the story of the Norman Conquest of England by William the Conqueror told by this ancient comic strip. A special audio guide for children puts an element of fun into the historic and cultural visit – youngsters love it !
Bayeux loves to recount its history and to perform it too. Visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Bayeux to watch a performance of “La Cathédrale de Guillaume”. The Bayeux tapestry is lit up and its story told in a spectacularly original way. Bayeux was the first town to be liberated by the Allies after the Normandy Landings. This piece of history is told in a very surprising way … on a huge tree ! All summer, a 360° show is projected onto the ‘Arbre de la Liberté (Tree of Freedom) and the buildings around it. An absolutely spectacular display !
In order not to miss anything about the history of Bayeux, take a guided tour of its charming little streets dotted with magnificent mansions. You will learn about the history of the town and discover that Bayeux is a town of craft skills and expertise. Embroidery, lace and china are still made here. The small jewellery shops, independently-owned clothes shops, tea rooms and shops selling fine foods are an absolute delight.
Bayeux, fine food and Norman specialities
Bayeux stands on the pretty River Aure, and a 4km walk along its banks lets you admire the town from another angle and discover the Pont des Tanneurs (bridge), old wash pools and restored historic mills.
Bayeux is near the Normandy Beaches and 10 minutes from the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches-les-Bains. The quiet, restful countryside of the Bessin area is perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding. As for beaches, the long beaches of fine sand at Saint-Côme-de-Fresné and Asnelles are 10 minutes away. Fresh fish can be bought straight from the boats on the harbourside at Port en Bessin and the more adventurous can go digging for clams, cockles and razor clams during the spring tides !
Calling all lovers of fine food – welcome to paradise ! Here you are in the land of scallops, AOP butter and crème fraîche from Isigny, Isigny caramels and Bayeux pork. All these Norman specialities can be found at the Saturday morning market on the Place Saint Patrice in Bayeux, which has been in existence since the Middle Ages and has lots of local producers.
An added bonus of staying in Bayeux is you can have a car-free holiday ! All the places of interest in the town are within walking distance of accommodation.
Parole de normande : « I live in Caen and I go to Bayeux every time I need a change of scene. Bayeux is a timeless place and so full of charm that as soon as I arrive there I feel like I’m on holiday ! » says Marine, Development Officer at Gîtes de France Calvados
A local saying : « It’s blue over Bayeux ». In Calvados, when the sky is very threatening but we’re going out anyway, we say « It’s blue over Bayeux ». We brave the elements and hope we can dodge the raindrops !
How to get to Bayeux
Bayeux is between Mont Saint Michel and Honfleur, in the middle of all the sites relating to D-Day 6 June 1944.
BY RAIL : to Bayeux. 2¼ hours from Paris. Bayeux station is on the lines Paris-Cherbourg and Caen-Rennes.
BY ROAD : From N13 Caen-Cherbourg, take exit for Bayeux. Bayeux is 20 minutes from Caen and 2 ½ hours from the centre of Paris."
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Citybreak
Logis de l'Hôtel de Tersant
in BAYEUX - Calvados
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