Bayeux’s star attraction is a staple of Normandy day trips, so head straight to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (Musée de la Tapisserie) before the tour buses arrive. The UNESCO-protected monument is more than 1,000 years old and depicts the conquests of William the Conqueror in 1066—opt for an audio guide for extra insight.

After admiring the iconic tapestry, explore the rest of Bayeux Old Town on a walking tour. Tours typically stop at the botanical gardens and Notre-Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, and reveal the city’s lace making history at the Conservatoire de la Dentelle (Conservatory of Lace).

Normandy will forever be remembered as the site of one of the most significant events of World War II. Learn more about the D-Day landings and ensuing Battle of Normandy on a half-day tour of the D-Day Beaches from Bayeux., which tend to stop at WWII battle sites such as Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, and the D-Day Landing Museum or the Arromanches 360° Cinema—pre-book your tickets to avoid waiting in line.

If you prefer to stay in the town, visit the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy and pay tribute to the Allied soldiers who lost their lives at the Bayeux War Cemetery.

Normandy is renowned for having some of the best cuisine in France and a trip to Bayeux wouldn’t be complete without an evening of fine dining. Book a table at one of the town’s top restaurants to sample local specialties such as camembert cheese, seafood, and fish stew.

Finish with a classic tarte aux pommes (apple tart) and don’t forget to sample Normandy’s famous drinks too—the region is known for its cider and calvados (apple brandy).