Things to do in Bayeux

Enjoy an unforgettable day trip from Paris, and visit the Normandy Landing Beaches, where the outcome of changed World War II and the future of Europe forever. Learn about the dramatic events of 6 June 1944, with round-trip minibus transfers from Paris. Drive through the Normandy countryside to discover some of the most significant sites of the campaign. During the day, go to Omaha Beach, see the German Bunkers, visit Operation Overlord Museum, and travel to Pointe du Hoc. Gaze in wonder at more than 10,000 white crosses that mark the fallen soldiers in the American Cemetery. Listen as your guide brings the battlefields to life, telling unique stories of the soldiers who fought and died to put an end to Hitler’s plans for Europe and the world.

Meet your guide at Place de Québec and then begin your D-Day exploration adventure, retracing history as you uncover the day of June 6, 1944. The first stop is at the village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the heart of the jump zone for the 82nd Airborne U.S. forces. Listen to stories of how paratroopers rained on the village, and how one of them famously got caught in the tower of the church. Visit Utah beach, the second location where American troops landed on D-Day. Pay a visit to the Utah Beach Museum and learn more about the fascinating history. Then, continue to Pointe du Hoc, a breathtaking cliff offering lunar landscapes and a magnificent viewpoint over the English Channel.  The site was built as a key point of the Atlantic Wall by the Germans because it was the highest point between the Omaha and Utah beaches and provided a great observation spot to notice any arrivals from the sea. Head to Omaha beach, where the deadliest landings of the day took place. From your guide, learn about the landings here and the soldiers who risked their lives. Your D-Day sightseeing tour of Normandy ends with a visit to the US military cemetery where you will have the chance to pay your respects and honor the soldiers of World War ll. 

The Mont Saint Michel is an island off the coast of Normandy in the English Channel, and sees some of the biggest tides in Europe. The first church was built on the mount in 709 at the request of Archange Michael. The construction of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey as we know it today was finished in the 13th and 14th centuries. Those hundreds of years of architectural prowesses have left us with a magnificent monument, now referred as the “Wonder of the Western World” and deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. Travel with a friendly driver and professional English-speaking guide from Bayeux to the Mont Saint Michel, which you will access via shuttle across the bridge in accordance with local requirements. Head to the very top of the mount and enter the abbey. The history of its construction will be explained in detail, while you marvel at stunning views of the surrounding bay. After visiting the abbey, explore the town at your own pace and pick up some souvenirs for friends and family. Your guide will suggest some great restaurants for lunch, suitable for all budgets. At the end of the tour, your chauffeur will take you back to your original meeting point in Bayeux.

Spend the day visiting four locations over three and a half hours. Visit the Longue-sur-mer battery, typical of German coastal defense batteries. Built in September 1943 and comprising 4 casmates and a fire direction post. Arrive at Omaha Beach, known for by its code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, during World War II. Visit Gold Beach located between Port-en-Bessin on the west and La Rivière on the east. High cliffs at the western end of the zone meant that the landings took place on the flat section between Le Hamel and La Rivière, in the sectors code-named Jig and King.

Enter the Utah Beach D-Day Museum (Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach) at the site where the American troops landed on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944 during one of the most important campaigns of World War II. Journey through the museum's 10 chronological sections independently and learn about the events, from the preparation in England to the success of the campaign in France. See a rich collection of items, equipment and vehicles, such as an authentic B26 bomber that relate the story of the campaign. Watch the film, "Victory in the Sand" as it recreates that crucial day, hour by hour. Build a better understanding of the strategic choice of the Normandy beach and the reasons for its military and technological success and significance. Honor the memories of the soldiers who fought for our freedom.

After meeting your guide conveniently at the Place de Québec, you’ll set off towards Juno Beach, where Canadian Armed Forces landed on the morning of June 6, 1944. Met with devastating losses as a result of landmines and other obstacles, nearly half of the soldiers died on Juno Beach, before pushing 16 kilometers inland. As you walk across the hallowed ground, your guide will describe how the Allied forces managed to keep gaining ground against seemingly insurmountable resistance. Your next stop is the Juno Beach Center, the only Canadian museum on the D-Day beaches. There, you will be able to chart the story of Canadians through photos, archives, and artifacts, amidst remains of German bunkers. The various exhibitions in the museum go further than just Normandy, charting Canada’s general involvement in World War II. Next stop is the Abbey d’Ardenne, where Canadian troops were held prisoner by the Germans and executed within the church’s walls. Afterwards, head to Hill 67, which serves as a Canadian memorial to the troops who fought during the battle of Normandy. At the end of the Normandy D-Day tour, you driver will take you conveniently back to the original meeting point in Bayeux. With options for both half- and full-day tours, tailor your experience to your meet interest and schedule.

Enjoy a guided day trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at its coastal, Gothic splendor. Start your day with pickup in Caen or Bayeux at 9 AM, or straight off the train from Paris. Your knowledgeable, expert guide will tell you the story of the island during your journey before arriving at Mont-Saint-Michel by 10.30 AM. Take time to visit the village and explore its ancient cobblestone streets. Head to the top to discover the Abbey in all its glory. Look in wonder at a structure dating back to 708 AD. Pause for a delicious gourmet lunch in the island's best restaurant. Enjoy a walk on the bay, admiring the view of Mont-Saint-Michel from the ground. Next, experience an afternoon visit to Avranches and its medieval manuscripts, and stop at the bell-making factory in Villedieu les Poêles. Finally, sit back and relax for your journey back to Caen, Bayeux, or your train, arriving back at around 7PM.

Discover Normandy’s historical sites, rich heritage, and hidden gems on a private full-day tour with an expert guide. Be introduced to the region’s medieval history, architecture, and Viking roots as you walk through a historical crash course. Start your tour by visiting the Falaise Castle — a solid stone fortress built by the Dukes of Normandy around 1000 A.D. See how dukes and knights lived, fought, and ruled, and take your time to read the poems they wrote, to listen to their songs, and to try the food they liked as you stop for lunch here. Next, head to Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives to walk around the fantastic old marketplace, stepping on stones that have belonged to the market since they were laid down in 1066. Then, visit the medieval Crèvecœur Castle in Crèvecoeur-en-Auge for another step back in time before heading to your final stop in Bayeux. There, see and learn about the remarkable and unique Bayeux Tapestry — a medieval embroidery showcasing the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Finally, sit back and relax in the comfort of your private car as you head back to your accommodation.

Spend the day getting to know the Normandy WWII sites on a private guided tour from Caen or Bayeux. Visit Ste Mère Eglise, the hedgerow country, Utah Beach, the Airborne Museum, and the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. Enjoy included snacks and a stop for lunch. Your tour starts in the morning, with pickup directly from your accommodation in Caen or Bayeux. Prepare for the day with a fresh coffee and croissants before heading to the first Normandy WWII site on the itinerary. During the ride, benefit from the on-board audio system to hear your guide in the van. There will be digital resources provided during your ride so you can get some content about the places visited throughout the day. First, arrive at Ste Mère Eglise, the iconic village of the US Airborne, to understand how 14000 paratroopers played a crucial role in preparing for the success of D-Day. Visit the Airborne Museum (entry ticket included), where your guide will the exhibit to you. Then, head for the hedgerow country where you'll see the natural fences where so many German soldiers hid during the Battle of Normandy. On Utah Beach, your guide will explain why this beach could be so quickly and successfully taken. You'll then get to recharge with a gourmet lunch on Omaha Beach facing the monument to the Allies, The Braves (lunch costs not included). Learn the details of the battle that took place here 77 years ago. After lunch, you'll head for the Pointe du Hoc where you'll see many of the German WWII bunkers taken by the U.S. 2nd Rangers Battalion. Finally, at the Normandy American Cemetery, you'll have time to visit the site and the memorial before attending the Casing of the Colors ceremony. If time allows, see the Longues-sur-Mer battery, the last WWII German battery, whose 150-mm guns were shooting on D-Day. By the end of the tour, you’ll have made your way round-trip back to your accommodation.  

Explore Normandy’s villages and discover the best food on this guided foodie tour perfect for food enthusiasts. Sightsee, learn about local cuisine, and enjoy many opportunities to taste local drinks and food. Visit Camembert, Lisieux, the seafood market in Trouville, and more. Get picked up from Bayeux, Caen, Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, or Honfleur to start your adventure. During the tour, taste French Camembert (French cheese), hard cider, and Calvados (Normandy apple brandy), Normandy's liquid gold. While tasting local cuisine, enjoy driving and walking through the villages of the Pays d'Auge area. Learn about the architecture and history of these villages from your guide and digital resources. Later, get the opportunity to meet Jérome, the cheese producer and chairman of the Pont L'Evèque AOC Board. Learn everything about French cheese in Camembert. Afterward, have an optional lunch at a Michelin-rated restaurant by the river, admiring the Normandy cows and scenic views. The full tour includes: • A stop in Camembert • A quick stop at Orbec Ferme du Bec d'Or • A stop in Lisieux • A lunch at the Fossard (optional) • A stop at the Breuil en Auge Chateau and the distillery • A stop in Trouville & the seafood market • A stop at Deauville • A stop in Honfleur