Things to See and Do in Bayeux, Normandy
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the old town of Bayeux around the Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux, built in 1077, by the brother of William the Conqueror.
When I crave Normandy cuisine, like tarte tatin Normandie, oysters, or Calvados brandy, I go to the French gourmet restaurant of the Chateau La Chenevière for dinner ( Port-en-Bessin, 10Km away from Bayeux).
To escape from work, I go shopping in the Grand Rue (main street).
For complete quiet, I can hide away in the Botanic Garden.
If you come to Bayeux, get your picture taken by the old watermill.
If you have to order one thing off the menu at L’Assiette Normande, order a plate of Bayeux pork with ‘andouille’ and apple with creamy potato topping.
An odd fact about Bayeux. You can attend beggar mass during Medieval Festival (every first week-end of July in Bayeux).
When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Le Petit Bordelais where the cellarman cooks a dish of the day served with a glass of fine French wine.
For a huge splurge, I go to Le P’tit Resto or La Rapière.
Photo ops in Bayeux are best along the river Aure, or in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux.
The best vantage points are passage de l’Islet or place De Gaulle.
The most random thing about Bayeux is the Le Prix Bayeux-Calvados des correspondants de guerre (war correspondants prize)
In Bayeux, an active day outdoors involves walking.
My favorite walking route is along the river Aure.
Bayeux’ best museum is The Bayeux Tapestry Museum.
For fun at night go to the brand new bowling alley.
To find out what’s going on at night or on weekends, visit to the tourism office and Bessin-Normandy website.
Printemps: In the spring, you should commemorate the D-Day invasion (around 6th of June D-Day Festival)
Eté:In the summer you should go watch at dusk the show of architectural projections “Rendez-vous à la Cathédrale”
Automne: In the fall you should celebrate le “Goût du Large” in Port-en-Bessin, an event dedicated to scallops.
Hiver: In the winter you should take a course of Bayeux Lace with the lacemakers at the Conservatoire de la Dentelle.
A hidden gem is the crypt of the Cathedral.
For a great breakfast, go to Café Inn and taste handmade pastries.
Just outside Bayeux, you can visit World War II D-Day Beaches with Normandy Sightseeing Tours or ramble through Port-en-Bessin, a picturesque fishing village and site of a British landing during D-Day.
The best way to see Bayeux is to walk around Old Town.
If you have kids, you will not want to miss the Game Festival in May every year.
Where are your favorite things to do in France?
This guest post is contributed by Vera Marie Badertscher, A Traveler’s Library for What a Trip
Vera Marie Badertscher wishes to thank the Bessin-Normandy Tourism office in Bayeux, and Fanny Garbe for help in assembling this information. All pictures are the property of and used with the permission of Vera Marie Badertscher.