Best Tours in Bayeux

Bayeux is a medieval town that has kept its historic center intact despite its wartime past. Its cobblestone streets and old houses house elegant palaces dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is also in Bayeux where the famous tapestry of Queen Mathilde, almost 70 meters long, is located, which is an undisputed icon of the city and narrates the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy. The city was also the scene of an important milestone in world history, the D-Day in the context of World War II.

All this is reason enough to want to know this charming city, and what better way to do it than through a guided and organized tour? In this article I will tell you what are the best tours you can do in this historic city and why these visits are among the best things to see and do in Bayeux.

On this tour, an experienced local guide takes you for two hours to see the best of Bayeux and Normandy, seeing its impressive architectural gems and learning all about the history behind what you'll have a chance to visit. You will learn about the most important events that took place in the region, the origin of the buildings, ancient trades and much more.

The walking itinerary starts at the Bayeux tourist office and includes stops at sites such as Rue des Teinturiers where you will learn about the medieval tanning and dyeing industry. Then you will pass by Allée des Augustines, where you will learn about the Augustine sisters and 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 are short on time in the city and don't want to miss anything.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at €23 per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts about two hours in total.
• Means of transport: the tour is on foot from the meeting point.
• Advantage of this option: it includes several important points for a short tour.
• Disadvantage of this option: the tour is only in English.

One of the most interesting attractions in France is undoubtedly the Mont Saint Michel, and if you are in Bayeux, you have the chance to get to know this amazing place by taking a tour. The tour includes a guided visit to the Benedictine abbey and plenty of free time to walk the cobblestone streets of the village and contemplate the bay.

Optionally, and according to the time of the tour, you can also choose between St-Lô, Balleroy, Avranches, the Abbey of Cerisy or Villedieu-les-Poêles, for a visit before returning to your accommodation in Bayeux.

Please note that if you decide to take this tour, you should wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing considerable walking to access the top and tour the abbey, plus the narrow streets of the village are cobblestone.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 392 euros per person.
• Duration: the walk is about 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven aboard an air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: includes pick-up and drop-off at the lodging site.
• Disadvantage of this option: it is not wheelchair accessible.

This tour takes you to visit the D-Day sites from the American point of view. You will see the sites of the largest amphibious landing in World War II.

The itinerary includes sites such as Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, the German and American cemeteries, the Airborne Museum and the Sainte-Mère Eglise. At all times you will receive information from the guide in an almost personalized way, as these tours are limited to a maximum of 8 people.

Because of the sites included, this is one of the best full day tours of Normandy from Bayeux, and has the advantage that it can be done by all types of people without limitations due to physical condition or age. Please note that, if the minimum quota of passengers is not reached the activity may be suspended or cancelled.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 115 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 9 hours in total, so it takes up almost the whole day.
• Means of transportation: you will be taken aboard a comfortable air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes pick-up and drop-off at the lodging site.
• Disadvantage of this option: does not include food and beverages.

This tour is inspired by the literary work of renowned American historian Stephen Ambrose, which was later made into the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.

With this tour you will learn about the most important historical events in Normandy. You will see places like Omaha Beach, the American cemetery and follow the action of the "Band of Brothers". A great opportunity to learn history in an interactive and dynamic way. This experiential experience will leave you with a wealth of knowledge about the interesting historical context of the region.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 143 euros per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts 9 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be taken aboard an air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: it is adapted for people with wheelchairs or strollers.
• Disadvantage of this option: it departs from a meeting point, it does not include pick up or return to the lodging site.

This tour takes you to the most memorable sites of the Battle of Normandy with an emphasis on events that had a bearing on the British armed forces. A most fascinating experience.

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

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

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at 121 euros per traveler.
• Duration: the excursion takes about 9 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: includes entrance fees to all sites visited.
• Disadvantage of this option: does not include drinks and food.

If you want to know in depth the history of Normandy, its culture, gastronomy and customs of its inhabitants, this tour is your best option. Starting from the center of Bayeux, you will be taken to visit the most important places in the area, and then visit Honfleur and Pays d'Auge.

During the tour you will appreciate the famous Bayeux tapestry, you will visit the port of Honfleur famous for its many colors, which inspired the Impressionist painters, and you will taste the best of the regional gastronomy. Camembert cheese, calvados and cider are some of the options.

The tour includes several stops at sites of interest, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Tapestry Museum and St. Catherine's Church. It also includes free time to wander at your leisure and replenish your energy with typical foods of the region.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 391 euros per passenger.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 9 hours.
• Means of transport: you will be driven aboard an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: the cost includes the entrance to the Notre-Dame de Bayeux Cathedral.
• Disadvantage of this option: meals are not included, you will be able to buy them on your own during your free time.

If you love the outdoors and nature, this will be a very tempting proposal to discover the best of Normandy. You will depart from Bayeux to reach the starting point of the adventure, where your bike will be waiting for you , fully equipped with helmet, bag for your belongings, bottle of fresh water, an extra battery, anti-theft device and GPS.

Thanks to the bike you will be able to access places that you would not be able to reach by car. You will enjoy the fresh air and beauty of sites such as Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, the German battery site of Longue sur Mer, and the artificial harbor of Arromanches among others. This is undoubtedly among the best tours to Normandy from Bayeux.

It is worth mentioning that the guides accompany you up to a certain point and then leave you some time to walk around and enjoy at your own pace. Anyway they provide you with everything you need so you can orient yourself properly and tell you which are the must-see sites you should visit.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 62 euros per person.
• Duration: average between 5 and 12 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: the group is limited to 10 people so you can make the most of it.
• Disadvantage of this option: not recommended for people with physical limitations.

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

The tour includes stops at sites of interest such as Juno Beach Center, the Canadian Underground 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 be able to complement with other excursions to comprehensively understand the history behind this interesting French region.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 115 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 8 hours in total.
• Means of transportation: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes entrance fees to all attractions visited.
• Disadvantage of this option: does not include food and beverages, lunch is on your own.

Rouen is known for its impressive Gothic cathedral and lively urban atmosphere. The Horloge Tower is one of the city's most emblematic attractions, and the Place du Vieux Marché is the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor café. You'll also see the Gothic construction of Rouen Cathedral, whose fastige is crowned by the tallest spire in France, and the square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.

Giverny is a small town that has become popular as the home of the iconic Impressionist artist Claude Monet for more than 40 years. The place where the water lily paintings were inspired, and where you can see the collection of Japanese prints that the painter owned.

You will have a free lunch break, and then you can continue your walk through Rouen. Other highlights include various Gothic buildings, such as the Church of St. Ouen, the Church of St. Maclou and the Hall of Justice. The tour culminates with some free time to explore the village of Giverny then return by minibus to your accommodation site.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 391 euros per passenger.
• Duration: the tour takes about 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: the groups are a maximum of 8 people so it is an almost personalized experience.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include food and beverages or entrance fees to the attractions you can visit.

This tour offers a different way of getting to know Normandy, aboard an off-road jeep. In this peculiar vehicle you will see the most important historical points of the region, listening to all the details from your guide.

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

This is a tour that will take you to understand beyond the historical event, the human side of a war feeling close to those who were involved in it.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 830 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan for the transfer, then off-road jeep.
• Advantage of this option: offers pick up and drop off at the lodging site.
• Disadvantage of this option: not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems.