How to Spend 3 Days in Bayeux

Bayeux is ideally situated for exploring Normandy; three days gives you plenty of time to tick off all of the surrounding sights. Maximize your time by booking a day tour that visits multiple destinations or choose a private tour for greater flexibility. Here’s how to spend three days in Bayeux.

Day 1: Sightseeing in Bayeux

Bayeux’s compact Old Town is best explored on a walking tour, nearly all of which begin with the star attraction—the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (Musée de la Tapisserie). Opt for a morning tour to avoid the crowds and, if visiting independently, grab an audio guide for extra insight into the 1,000-year-old masterpiece.

Afterwards, learn about Bayeux’s lace making heritage at the Conservatoire de la Dentelle (Conservatory of Lace) before visiting the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Bayeux and the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy.

In the evening, book a table at an Old Town restaurant to sample Normandy’s cuisine. Opt for fish stew or meat à la Normande (with a creamy sauce) followed by tarte au pommes (apple tart). To further enjoy Normandy’s cuisine, food lovers can take a full-day tasting tour, which visit cheesemakers and orchards.

Day 2: Discover the D-Day Beaches

Bayeux lies minutes from the D-Day beaches, the landing sites where the fateful events of June 6th 1944 took place. The beaches, battlefields, and WWII sites are scattered all along the coast so having your own transport is essential—join a tour to skip the hassle of car hire and discover important historic context.

Day trips typically visit Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc, and give you time to pay your respects to the fallen soldiers at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Canadian travelers can also visit Juno Beach and Hill 67, two important sites for Canadian troops. Several museums offer further insight into the historic events— if visiting independently, book tickets in advance for the D-Day Landing Museum of Utah Beach or the Arromanches 360° Cinema to avoid waiting in line.

Day 3: Mont St Michel

There are numerous options for day trips from Bayeux; popular destinations include the historic cities of Rouen and Caen, and the picturesque port towns of Honfleur and Deauville. Normandy’s most impressive attraction is undoubtedly Mont St Michel; a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island monastery and one of the most photographed landmarks in France, which lies just off the coast of south Normandy.

Day trips typically include a walking tour of the hilltop monastery, and give you time to climb to the top and browse the shops in Mont St Michel village; stop at one of the restaurants to enjoy a Breton galette (a buckwheat pancake), a specialty of neighboring Brittany. Booking a round-trip transfer service from Bayeux allows travelers to explore independently without worry about car hire.

Back in Bayeux, spend your final evening in a nearby coastal villages such as Cabourg, Ouistreham, and Luc-sur-Mer; in summer, most host lively night markets with live entertainment.