6 Best Tours in Bayeux

Located in the northwest of France, the city of Bayeux is famous for having remained intact during the bombardments of 1944. Thanks to this, it has a great historical heritage to appreciate. Would you like to discover it on a tour?
6 Best Tours in Bayeux

More about: 6 Best Tours in Bayeux

Bayeux is a medieval town that has kept its historic center intact despite its war-torn past. Its cobbled streets and old houses are home to elegant palaces dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Bayeux is also home to the famous Queen Matilda tapestry, which is almost 70 meters long and is an undisputed icon of the city, narrating the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy.

All of the above is reason enough to want to visit this charming town, and what better way to do so than with a guided and organized tour? In this article, I will tell you about the best tours you can take in this historic town and why these visits are among the best things to see and do in Bayeux.

1. Guided tour of Bayeux

Rue des Teinturiers| ©Vincent Poudampa
Rue des Teinturiers| ©Vincent Poudampa

On this tour, an experienced local guide will take you on a two-hour tour of the best of Bayeux and Normandy, seeing its impressive architectural gems and learning all about the history behind what you will have the opportunity to visit. You'll learn about the most important events that took place in the region, the origins of the buildings, ancient crafts, and much more.

The walking tour starts at the Bayeux tourist office and includes stops at sites such as the Rue des Teinturiers, where you'll learn about the medieval tanning and dyeing industry. You will then pass through Allée des Augustines, where you will hear about the Augustine sisters and see the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Other stops on this tour include Charles de Gaulle Square, Rue L L le Forestier, and the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. This tour is ideal if you have limited time in the city and don't want to miss anything.

Interesting details:

  • Price: from $23 per person.
  • Duration: the experience lasts about two hours in total.
  • Transportation: the tour is on foot from the meeting point.

2. Bicycle tour

Bike day| ©Butterfield & Robinson 1966
Bike day| ©Butterfield & Robinson 1966

If you enjoy the outdoors and nature, this is a tempting option for discovering the best of Normandy. You will depart from Bayeux and arrive at the starting point of the adventure, where your bike will be waiting for you , fully equipped with a helmet, bag for your belongings, bottle of fresh water, extra battery, anti-theft device, and GPS.

Thanks to the bike, you will be able to access places that you couldn't reach by car. You'll enjoy the fresh air and beauty of places such as Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, the site of the German battery at Longue sur Mer, and the artificial port of Arromanches, among others.

It's worth noting that the guides accompany you to a certain point and then leave you some time to explore and enjoy at your own pace. In any case, they provide you with everything you need to find your way around and point out the must-see sites.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from $62 per person.
  • Duration: average of 5 to 12 hours in total.
  • Transportation: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minibus.

Book a bike tour of Bayeux

3. Omaha and Band of Brothers Tour

Omaha Beach| ©Pedro
Omaha Beach| ©Pedro

This tour is inspired by the literary work of renowned American historian Stephen Ambrose, which was later adapted for the screen in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.

On this tour, you will learn about the most important historical events in Normandy. You will visit places such as Omaha Beach and the American cemetery, and follow in the footsteps of the "band of brothers." A great opportunity to learn history in an interactive and dynamic way. This experiential tour will leave you with a wealth of knowledge about the region's fascinating historical context.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from $143 per person.
  • Duration: the activity lasts 9 hours in total.
  • Transportation: you will be taken aboard an air-conditioned minibus.

4. Tour of the Omaha, Sword, and British Airborne Sector battlefields (A1B2)

British Normandy Memorial| ©www.nmbs2001.com
British Normandy Memorial| ©www.nmbs2001.com

This tour takes you to the most memorable sites of the Battle of Normandy, focusing on events related to the British armed forces. A truly fascinating experience.

The sites included in this tour itinerary include Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery Museum, Sword Beach, and Hillman Bunker.

The starting point for this tour is either the Bayeux train station or Place de Quebec. Both are easily accessible by public transportation.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from $121 per traveler.
  • Duration: the tour takes about 9 hours in total.
  • Transportation: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minibus.

5. Tour of the Canadian battlefields

Juno Beach Center| ©JR P
Juno Beach Center| ©JR P

The historic sites related to D-Day in Normandy are attractive to tourists interested in World War II in France. Although many tourist itineraries focus on American and British units, this tour from Bayeux takes you to sites in Normandy that have a historical connection to the Canadian army.

The tour includes stops at places of interest such as the Juno Beach Center, the underground Canadian bunkers, Bernieres and Saint Aubin, the Canadian cemetery, Hell's Corner, the Abbey of Ardenne, Carpiquet, and Caen. This is a very interesting activity to complement other excursions and gain a comprehensive understanding of the history behind this fascinating region of France.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from $115 per person.
  • Duration: the tour lasts about 8 hours in total.
  • Transportation: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.

6. Classic jeep tour to Normandy

Classic Jeep in Normandy| ©Mark Povey
Classic Jeep in Normandy| ©Mark Povey

This tour offers a different way to discover Normandy, aboard an off-road jeep. In this unique vehicle, you will visit the region's most important historical sites, listening to all the details from your guide.

Among the key sites you will visit are those related to World War II. These include La Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, part of the D-Day landing beaches, the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, and Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.

This tour will give you a deeper understanding of the historical event and the human side of war, bringing you closer to those who fought in it.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from $830 per person.
  • Duration: the tour lasts approximately 8 hours in total.
  • Transportation: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan for the transfer, then in an off-road jeep.

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 1943 Reviews
  • S
    S. S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Bayeaux is a really pretty little town with so much history to absorb inbetween so many old buildings from every century and charming shops to distract you. The guide was so well informed, three so much thorough and relevant information at us but in the most entertaining style. It's a very interesting, entertaining and fast two hours. Well worth the intro to Bayeaux!!!
  • R
    R. N.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This was a wonderful way to see all of the WWII sites as well as the beautiful countryside of Normandy. The bike shop folks are amazing! They were very friendly, extremely helpful and flexible to our needs. I would highly recommend this to others!
  • G
    G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    In general terms it was very very good, a complete passage through the history of France. The guide also illustrated everything in detail. The Bayeux Tapestry itself tells the story of the Norman conquest, but you have to know how to interpret it. The ideal is to go through it all with a guide!
  • P
    P.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Very good
  • D
    D.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I can't recommend it! I never get tired of touring France!