Aire de Bayeux

Bayeux (Calvados, France)

Bayeux is a Norman town with a rich past, known for its well‑preserved medieval centre and strong ties to European history. It attracts both history enthusiasts and visitors curious about living heritage. The town is organized around cobbled streets, a peaceful river and a leading museum heritage. Bayeux also serves as a base for exploring World War II sites along the coast.

Heritage and history

The historic core reveals the Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux, a Norman jewel dating largely from the 11th century. The town is especially famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered in the 11th century and displayed in a dedicated museum, a major document of the conquest of England. The manor houses, medieval homes and the alignment around Place Charles de Gaulle testify to a rare urban continuity.

Museums and memory

Bayeux houses museums that tell very different eras: medieval history on one hand, contemporary memory on the other. The Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum offers exhibitions on the Landing and the campaign that followed. There are also commemorative traces and military cemeteries that make the impact of 1944 tangible: the town was one of the first liberated after the Landing.

Atmosphere and gastronomy

Local gastronomy highlights products from Calvados: cider, perry and calvados to taste in central restaurants. Markets offer cheeses, apples and Norman specialties. The terraces and alleys give Bayeux a friendly atmosphere, conducive to slow walks.

Not to miss

• Bayeux Tapestry — visit the embroidered masterpiece of the 11th century.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux — Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
• Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum — exhibitions on the Landing.
• Place Charles de Gaulle — lively heart, cafés and old houses.
• Walk along the Aure — riverbanks and views of the historic centre.