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6 Best Tours in Bayeux

Located in the north-west of France, the town of Bayeux is famous for having remained intact in the face of the 1944 bombardments. 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 centre 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 metres long and is an undisputed icon of the town, 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 organised 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.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from £23 per person.
  • Duration: the experience lasts about two hours in total.
  • Transport: 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 would not be possible by car. You will 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 is 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 £55 per person.
  • Duration: average of 5 to 12 hours in total.
  • Transport: 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 itinerary for this tour includes 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 Bayeux train station or Place de Quebec. Both are easily accessible by public transport.

Details of interest:

  • Price: from £121 per traveller.
  • Duration: the tour takes approximately 9 hours in total.
  • Transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minibus.

5. Tour of the Canadian battlefields

Juno Beach Centre| ©JR P
Juno Beach Centre| ©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 Centre, the underground Canadian bunkers, Bernieres and Saint Aubin, the Canadian cemetery, Hell's Corner, Ardenne Abbey, 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.
  • Transport: 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 the Second World War. 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
  • G
    G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Overall it was very very good, a complete passage through the history of France you could say. The guide illustrated everything in detail. The Bayeux Tapestry in 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 get enough of touring France!
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This was a complete tour, I got to know a bit of everything about Bayeux. The tour was very well designed and the guide gave a very entertaining touch to the whole tour. I really had a great time that day.
  • L
    L.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Ten out of ten!