Best of Bayeux

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Bayeux
A short hop from the beaches of D-Day, Bayeux was the first French town liberated by the Allies during World War II. The historic town has an array of spectacular sites in a cobblestone center that somehow managed to survive the war largely unscathed. Pride of place goes to the Bayeux Tapestry, an astonishing 230-foot-long weaving made a few years after William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion of England. Nearby, the soaring Cathédrale Notre-Dame and the exhibition halls of the Musée Baron Gérard showcase the great artistic traditions of Norman artists and artisans. 

Bayeux is perfectly placed for visiting the shoreline that was so pivotal to “Operation Overlord.” Guided tours can take you out to Utah, Juno and Omaha Beaches, where thousands of Allied troops landed on June 6th, 1944, in the largest seaborne invasion in history. You can also head off on food- and cider-focused tours of Normandy’s lush countryside, explore the nearby city of Caen (partially destroyed and rebuilt after World War II) and enjoy memorable walks along the atmospheric hilltop lanes of Mont St-Michel.
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Bayeux Essentials

Wine tasting in France
Top Culinary Experiences in France

France has always been the center of culinary envy, known worldwide for its signature cuisine consisting of traditional techniques, ancestral secrets, and home-cooked comfort dictated by high-quality standards. From morning pastries to afternoon macrons, farm-fresh cheeses to wine, cider, and olive oil, and fresh food markets offering the freshest produce to unique dishes like snails and frog legs, you can truly enjoy it all in France.

The harbor town of Honfleur
Best Things to Do in Normandy

Set in northern France along the coast of the English Channel, Normandy is known for its chalky-white cliffs and beaches, the famous Mont-Saint-Michel island, the WWII D-Day landings, and picturesque half-timbered houses surrounded by dairy farms. History is the region's highlight, but you'll also find treasured towns like Honfleur and the Pays d'Auge, gourmet cheese, cider farms, and many sites of famous Impressionist works of art, plus the home and gardens of Claude Monet.

Bordeaux's stunning architecture
Best Things to Do in Bordeaux

Known for its signature wine, Bordeaux's surrounding vineyards and La Cité du Vin museum might be its biggest draws, but there's plenty to enjoy in the city and beyond. With the Garonne River weaving through Bordeaux's center, you can explore the city by foot and boat. Stop at vibrant markets and wine shops, tasting gourmet goodies like canelé, oysters, cheese, chocolate, and, of course, a glass of red. Then, enjoy discovering the countryside havens of Gironde and Dordogne, full of picturesque hamlets and vineyards.

Bayeux Itineraries

Mont Saint Michel dating back to the 8th century
Map of Normandy Coast Excursion - 5 Days
Normandy Coast Excursion - 5 Days

Ideal for history buffs, this Northern France itinerary spans an impressive timeline from the Norman invasion of England in 1066 to the D-Day landings of 1944. With the help of local guides, you'll experience the island monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel, pay respects at transfixing World War II memorials and museums, and enjoy free time in the evenings to explore the charming city of Bayeux—your home base for the trip.

View of Bayeux
Map of Bayeux: Best Itinerary Ideas
Bayeux: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most people visiting Bayeux spend about seven to nine days in France, which usually includes some time in Paris as well. For travelers wanting to visit Bayeux exclusively, plan about five days for a well-paced trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four days. For the best itineraries, including Bayeux, keep reading below.

Traditional Mussels with Cider
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Normandy & Brittany - 5 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Normandy & Brittany - 5 Days

Get away from it all on this luxurious 5-day trip to Normandy and Brittany. Fly in to Paris, then head to Bayeux on the coast. Check out the tapestry, tour Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore World War II history. At night, relax over fresh seafood dinners paired with chilled white wine at your neighborhood brasserie.

Water mill and Aure River in Bayeux, France
Map of Paris & Bayeux: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris & Bayeux: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that seven to nine days is perfect for a well-paced France trip with stops in both Paris and Bayeux. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as five or six days. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Amboise, Tours, or Saint-Malo. See more ideas for Paris and Bayeux itineraries below.

The enchanting Mont-Saint-Michel seems to rise out of its tidal estuary
Map of Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 7 Days
Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 7 Days

Travel in luxury as you spend a week exploring the wild coastline and rich history of northwestern France. Begin in Normandy to tour historic Bayeux, admire its eponymous tapestry, and visit windswept D-Day beaches. Then it's on to Brittany and the walled city of Saint-Malo, where you'll experience the awe-inspiring Mont-Saint-Michel, take a private sailing cruise along the Emerald Coast, and end your trip with a tour of the charming medieval villages of Dinan and Saint-Suliac.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 6 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 6 Days

Enjoy a quick getaway to Paris and the Normandy coast without sacrificing luxury on this six-day trip. Start in the City of Lights, where you'll learn about Parisian history in the heart of the city, stroll the gilded halls of Versaille, and take a nighttime cruise on the Seine. Spend your last day on the Normandy coast to see the Bayeux Tapestry and tour Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island.

Spend two leisurely days driving around the Brittany region
Map of Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley - 14 Days
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley - 14 Days

This epic trip loops around three beloved regions in France with a nice mix of free time and guided tours. Start in Normandy to visit historical sites—spanning 900 years—between Bayeux and Omaha Beach. Next is Brittany, where you'll have free time (and a car) to explore the wild, rugged coastline at your own pace. Then experience UNESCO-listed villages and castles in the Loire Valley before finishing with two days in Paris.

The Famed Iron Lady
Map of Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 7 Days
Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 7 Days

See Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic coast, and more on this weeklong itinerary to Western France. Learn to bake bread the authentic French way and visit the Opéra Garnier in the City of Lights, then enjoy fresh seafood in a typical brasserie in Saint-Malo and see the Bayeux Tapestry.

Saint-Malo at dusk
Map of Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo: Best Itinerary Ideas

Travelers to France typically plan a trip for 11 to 14 days when combining Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo with Amboise. For travelers wanting to visit Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo exclusively, plan 8 to 10 days for a well-paced trip. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in five to seven days for travelers with limited time. For the best itineraries, including Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo, keep reading below.

Timbered houses in Amboise, France
Map of Paris, Bayeux & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas

Nine to 12 days is a great length for a France trip with stops in Paris, Bayeux, and Amboise. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in a week or eight days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Saint-Malo and Tours. Get inspired with kimkim's Paris, Bayeux, and Amboise trip ideas below.

Water Mill and Aure River in Bayeux, France
Map of Paris, Bayeux & Tours: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux & Tours: Best Itinerary Ideas

Most travelers will find that 8 to 10 days is perfect for a well-paced France trip with stops in Paris, Bayeux, and Tours. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in six or seven days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Bordeaux or Saint-Malo. Keep reading for more inspiring Paris, Bayeux, and Tours itineraries.

Water mill in the Old Town of Bayeux
Map of Road Trip through Western France: Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 8 Days
Road Trip through Western France: Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 8 Days

Eight days is enough time to see the highlights of western France at a leisurely pace—and this road trip does just that. Spend three days in Paris, exploring the city's history and secrets—both at street level and underground. Continue west to the Atlantic coast for a vacation on Normandy's seaside, then head to Loire Valley, where 300-plus castles line the peaceful country roads.

Stars on the beach in Saint-Malo
Map of Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 8 Days
Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 8 Days

Stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower and vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside on this luxurious eight-day getaway. Walk through the gilded halls of Versailles and cruise along the Seine at night, then head west along the coast for medieval abbeys, fresh seafood, and World War II sites.

Pont Neuf across the Seine in Paris
Highlights of France: Paris, Bayeux, Marseille & Nice - 9 Days

This diverse 9-day itinerary introduces you to four distinct and enchanting regions of France. Begin in iconic Paris to stroll elegant avenues and cruise down the Seine—then catch a train west to Normandy to explore the medieval history and D-Day beaches of Bayeux. Continue to Provence, where you'll discover the ancient port of Marseille and the colorful market town of Aix-en-Provence, then hop over to the sun-soaked Riviera to end your adventure on a gastronomic tour of Nice.

Water mill in the Old Town of Bayeux
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, & Loire Valley - 9 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, & Loire Valley - 9 Days

From the gilded halls of Versailles to the resplendent Châteaus of the Loire Valley, explore Western France in all its luxury on this 9-day getaway. Stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower, explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast, and visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. End the trip with a tour of the resplendent Châteaus de Chambord and Chenonceau.

Aerial view of Saint Malo, Britanny, France
Map of Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, 11 to 14 days is the perfect amount of time for a France trip with stops in Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo, and Amboise. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as 7 to 10 days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region. Get inspired with the below Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo, and Amboise trip ideas.

Dordogne perched village
Map of Discover France: Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, the Dordogne Region - 14 Days
Discover France: Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, the Dordogne Region - 14 Days

You will be delighted by this trip in Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux and the Dordogne region. This is a subtle mix of French history and culture, wine and flavors, and some bucolic landscapes such as the Atlantic coast and Dordogne perched villages. A great road trip adventure for the whole family!

Chenonceau at Sunset
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley & Bordeaux - 14 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley & Bordeaux - 14 Days

Spend two weeks exploring the highlights of western France, from the City of Lights to the quiet villages of the Loire Valley. Sample pastries in Paris and head underground to see the catacombs, then hit the road for the beaches on the Normandy coast. End the trip in Bordeaux, where you'll haggle with vendors for fresh seafood at an 18th-century market.

Famous medieval castle Sully sur Loire at sunset
Map of Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 10 Days
Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 10 Days

This epic 10-day French sojourn kicks off in Paris with three days of culture and cuisine in the "City of Lights." Then, hit the road to the Normandy coast to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel tidal island, medieval Bayeux, and Omaha Beach. Next is the Loire Valley, where you'll explore the charming towns and gorgeous castles of this famous wine region before returning to Paris for one more Belle Époque adventure.

Chenonceau at Sunset
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 10 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 10 Days

Dive into French culture and settle into a quieter pace of life on this 10-day luxury trip to Western France. Start in Paris, where you'll learn history in the l’Ile de la Cité and take a day trip to the gilded halls of Versailles. Head west to tour D-Day sites in Normandy and explore Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. Round out the trip with two days in the Loire Valley, famous for castles and wine alike.

Colorful parasols on Deauville Beach
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux & More - 15 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux & More - 15 Days

Fifteen days is enough time to get off the beaten path in western France on this road trip from Paris to Bordeaux. Start in the capital city, where you'll visit the Louvre and enjoy afternoon walks along the Seine River. Head west along the Atlantic Coast to explore World War II history and explore small fishing villages and beaches, then continue south for countryside castles, Bordeaux wine, and the famed Arcachon oysters.

The City of Lights at Dusk
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 15 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 15 Days

Spend fifteen days exploring Paris and the western regions on this luxurious itinerary. Start in the City of Lights, where you'll stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower and eat your weight in croissants. Head to the coast for apple cider tours, fresh seafood, and the famed Normandy beaches. End the trip in the Loire Valley to go wine tasting and see where Da Vinci spent his last years.

Beach in Deauville
Map of Western France Road Trip: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 16 Days
Western France Road Trip: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 16 Days

Spend sixteen days exploring everything western France has to offer, from the metropolitan culture of Paris to the peaceful countryside of Bordeaux. See art at the Louvre, take a day trip to the gilded halls of Versailles, and vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside. Visit Mont-Saint-Michel—the abbey on an island—before continuing south to the land of resplendent châteaus and free-flowing wine.

Quiet Streets in Le Marais
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 11 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 11 Days

From the Opéra Garnier in Paris to the quiet countryside of the Loire Valley, this luxurious 11-day itinerary covers the highlights—and much more. Walk through the gilded halls of Versailles, explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast, and visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. End the trip with wine tasting in the Loire Valley and see where Da Vinci spent his final years.

Bayeux at Night
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 16 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 16 Days

From the Paris Opera to the beaches of Brittany, explore Western France in luxury on this 16-day itinerary. Learn to bake bread the French way and stroll through Versaille's resplendent halls, then head to the coast to explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Enjoy fresh seafood in a typical brasserie in Saint-Malo, then end the trip in the Loire valley, where fairytale castles and vineyards abound.

Richelieu quay of Garonne river in Bordeaux
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 17 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 17 Days

From the streetside cafes of Paris to the fresh seafood markets of Normandy, this seventeen-day road trip through western France has it all. Spend a few days in the capital viewing art and eating your weight in pastries, then head west along the coast to vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside. Wrap the trip up in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, famous for their countryside castles, 18th-century farmer's markets, and the freshest oysters in France.

Selection of French Cider
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 12 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 12 Days

Twelve days enjoying Parisian architecture, Normandy seafood, and Loire Valley wine—what could be sweeter? See the Eiffel Tower and learn to bake authentic French baguettes in the capital, then head to the coast for medieval ruins, fresh mussels, and World War II history. Wrap the trip up in the Loire Valley, where stately chateaus line the quiet country lanes and vineyards stretch out of sight.

Low Tide in Arcachon Bay
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, & More - 18 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, & More - 18 Days

If spending eighteen days driving from France's capital down the western Atlantic Coast sounds like the perfect getaway, this itinerary is for you. Start in Paris for flaky croissants and strong espresso, then hit the road for the coast. Vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside as you explore medieval and WWII history, then continue to the Loire Valley to see resplendent châteaus. End in Bordeaux, where the wine and oysters are unparalleled. 

In front of the Louvre
Map of Road Trip through Western France: Paris, Normandy, & the Loire Valley - 7 Days
Road Trip through Western France: Paris, Normandy, & the Loire Valley - 7 Days

If you have a week and want to explore western France, this quick road trip is perfect. Begin your journey in Paris, where you'll spend equal amounts of time exploring the city's history and savoring pastries. Continue to Normandy to visit the preserved city of Bayeux and see D-Day sites. End the trip in the Loire Valley to discover its famed castles and châteaus.

Vieux Port in Honfleur
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 19 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 19 Days

Drive along the Atlantic Coast on this nineteen-day road trip through western France. Start in Paris to see world-famous galleries at the Louvre and walk along the Seine River, then head west to explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, the abbey on an island, and enjoy fresh seafood in a typical brasserie. End the trip in Bordeaux to sample the best of France’s wine and cuisine.

Bayeux
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 13 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, & Bordeaux - 13 Days

If spending thirteen days driving from Paris through Normandy to Bordeaux sounds like your perfect getaway, this trip is for you. Get to know the sweet side of France on a pastry tour in Paris, breathe in the fresh ocean air in Normandy, and view castles (including da Vinci’s former residence) in the Loire Valley. End in Bordeaux to sample the best of France’s wine and cuisine.

Colorful French macarons
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 13 Days
Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 13 Days

Spend thirteen lucky days luxuriating in some of France's finest regions, from Paris to the Loire Valley. Kick things off in the City of Lights, where you'll explore history and take a day trip to Versailles. From there, head to Normandy on the coast, where small fishing villages and D-Day sites dot the landscape. End in the Loire Valley, where you'll relax in peaceful vineyards and tour elegant chateaus.

Normandy Countryside
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 20 Days
Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 20 Days

Vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside on this 20-day road trip through western France. You'll walk through the gilded halls of Versailles, immerse yourself in history on the D-Day beaches, and sample the best of France’s wine and cuisine in Bordeaux. For a taste of authentic western France life, haggle with vendors for your lunch at an 18th-century market, then head to the beach to enjoy wine and seafood on the water.

One of the famous perched villages in Dordogne
Map of Western France Road Trip - 14 Days
Western France Road Trip - 14 Days

This spectacular road-trip adventure through Western France provides a subtle mix of history, culture, cuisine, wine, and outdoor activity—and plenty of picturesque landscapes between stops. Over the course of two weeks, you'll spend quality time in Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, and the Dordogne region with a combination of tours led by English-speaking local guides and free time to explore on your own.

The stunning stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle within Paris' Île de la Cité
Map of Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 14 Days
Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 14 Days

If you dream of spending two weeks exploring history and cuisine in western France, this itinerary is for you. Visit the Louvre and Versailles and learn to bake bread the authentic French way. Continue to Normandy and Brittany on the coast to explore medieval abbeys and sample fresh-caught seafood. Wrap things up in the Loire Valley, where resplendent Châteaux and endless vineyards await.

Mont-Saint-Michel
Map of Explore France's Western Route- 21 Days
Explore France's Western Route- 21 Days

Take the back roads of western France to discover a splendor of highlights and hidden gems on this three-week adventure. Start in Paris, where you'll climb the Eiffel Tower and visit Versailles. Head to the northern coasts and see the most beautiful spots of Brittany and Normandy. Go south to the Loire Valley to live the fairy tale life surrounded by castles and vineyards, and activate your taste buds as you savor cognac and wine amid the country's most famous vineyards and medieval villages.

Carcassonne
Map of France Scenic Self-Drive Getaway: Castles, Forts & Vineyards - 21 Days
France Scenic Self-Drive Getaway: Castles, Forts & Vineyards - 21 Days

Discover all the things that fairy tales are made of on this comprehensive, three-week tour of France. Start in Normandy, where you'll explore the rugged coastline and massive fortresses. Head to the Loire Valley for lavish châteaux, gardens, and vineyards, then turn south into the Dordogne and discover its unusual natural scenery. Continue to Lyon and immerse yourself in its "foodie" culture before embarking on a wine-tasting extravaganza between Châteauneuf and Burgundy.

Coastal landscape near Etretat village in Normandy
Map of Normandy Discovery Tour - 7 Days
Normandy Discovery Tour - 7 Days

History buffs will love this Northern France itinerary, which spans an impressive timeline from the Norman invasion of England in 1066 to the D-Day landings of 1944. With the help of local guides, you'll experience the island monastery of Mont Saint Michel, visit transfixing WWII memorials, photograph spectacular cliffs, and enjoy free time in the evenings to dine in a range of charming port cities.