Your Essential Travel Guide To Bayeux
Discover Things To Do In Bayeux
Most famous for the eponymous tapestry which depicts the Norman Conquest of the UK in the 11th century, Bayeux is a northern France town. Not only does Bayeux host medieval artefacts and relics, but it is also a great starting point for trips to visit famous World War II landmarks.
The town lies in one of the areas of Europe most steeped in both modern and medieval history. Bayeux was actually the first town to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy and many of the buildings in its beautiful Old Town emerged from the Second World War still intact as, despite its location, it did not contain any factories or military bases. This means that Bayeux is one of the most classically-French towns in northern France in terms of appearance.
Bayeux has just 15,000 inhabitants and is never flooded with tourists.
Getting there
Hop on our ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe and after your short, 4 hour, journey you can drive to Bayeux in just 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
Alternatively, our routes from Dover to Dunkirk and Calais will also bring you within a few hours of Bayeux, and our ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam is another option, for those living in the north of England or Scotland
What to see in Bayeux?
Bayeux’s main attraction is the famous tapestry which shows William the Conqueror’s conquest of England in 1066, and includes the infamous image of King Harold Godwin taking an arrow to the eye. The full tapestry is around 70 metres long and 50 centimetres high, weighing close to 350kg. The tapestry was listed as a ‘Memory of the World’ by UNESCO in 2007.
The Notre-Dame cathedral in Bayeux was arguably the original home of the tapestry. The cathedral also depicts the assassination of English archbishop Thomas à Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, following his courageous opposition to King Henry II's attempts to control the church.
Bayeux was the first French town to be liberated from the German occupation in 1944 and you can learn more about Battle of Normandy at the Battle of Normandy Museum.
Visit Bayeux’s botanical gardens which date back to 1864.
Our routes to France
Dover-Dunkirk Ferry Crossings
Our short, convenient sailings from Dover to Dunkirk are the perfect way to start a trip to Europe.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings
Our fastest and most popular ferry crossing, our Dover to Calais route takes only 100 minutes, allowing you to explore Europe at your leisure.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Newhaven-Dieppe Ferry Crossings
Head across the Channel on our Newhaven to Dieppe route and in just 4 hours you can sail in comfort from the south of England to France's beautiful Normandy coast.
From
£93
per car + 2 people, one way*
Rosslare - Dunkirk Ferry
Sail between Ireland and France with DFDS on our new Rosslare – Dunkirk overnight ferry. With shopping onboard, comfy cabins and all meals included you can reach your destination ready to explore.
15%
discount
FAQ
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