Normandy’s coastline has witnessed Celtic traders, Viking raiders, Norman dukes, Impressionist painters, and the Allied armada of 1944. Base yourself in Bayeux, the rare medieval town spared major wartime damage, where timbered houses and the Gothic cathedral frame cobbled streets. In two focused days, you can taste the region’s famous cider and Camembert, and reflect at the D‑Day sites that reshaped Europe.

For travelers coming from Germany, the fastest route is via Paris: fly to CDG or ORY, then hop a direct train from Paris–St‑Lazare to Bayeux. Trains run about every hour in daytime, and the ride through hedgerow country is a gentle prelude to Normandy’s quiet power.

Practical notes: June (around the D‑Day anniversary) books up months in advance—reserve tours and rooms early. Weather is maritime and changeable; carry a light waterproof layer and respectful attire for cemeteries. Tides can be dramatic; beach access occasionally varies.

Bayeux, Normandy

Storybook Bayeux is Normandy in miniature: half-timber houses, a russet-roofed skyline, and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, under whose shadow a millennium of history flows. The Bayeux Museum of the Tapestry preserves the 11th‑century embroidered epic of 1066—arguably Europe’s most famous “comic strip.” Cafés line the River Aure, and in the evening you’ll find locals sipping brut cider and nibbling on buttery teurgoule (a cinnamon rice pudding born here).

Why base in Bayeux? You’re 20–35 minutes from key American D‑Day sites, yet you can walk everywhere at night, enjoy refined bistros, and sleep peacefully. It’s also compact enough for a full cultural afternoon on arrival before the battlefield touring begins.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• VRBO Bayeux stays — town-center flats steps from the Cathedral, cottages with gardens, and countryside gîtes 10–15 minutes out.
• Hotels.com Bayeux hotels — characterful inns, modern boutiques with parking, and family-friendly options near the Tapestry Museum.

Getting to Bayeux from Germany (use Omio to compare trains, flights, and buses within Europe):

• Berlin to Bayeux: Fly Berlin–Paris (about 1h50), transfer into Paris (~45–60 min), then train Paris–St‑Lazare to Bayeux (~2h10). Typical door-to-door 5.5–7 hours, from roughly €120–€250 total when booked ahead. Search on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).
• Frankfurt/Munich/Hamburg to Bayeux: Similar pattern via Paris; trains alone take ~6–8 hours with a cross‑Paris transfer. Buses can be cheaper but slower (9–12 hours); compare on Omio (buses).
• Paris to Bayeux: Direct trains around every hour from St‑Lazare, ~2h10, often €20–€45 each way if booked early. Check Omio (trains).

Day 1: Arrive in Bayeux, Tapestry and Cathedral, Norman Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive in Bayeux and check in. For a light lunch, try galettes and local cider at Le Moulin de la Galette, a creperie inside a historic mill beside the River Aure—order the andouille de Vire galette for a true Norman bite. Then visit the Bayeux Museum of the Tapestry: in ~60–90 minutes, trace the 70‑meter embroidery of William the Conqueror’s 1066 saga, with excellent audio guides that bring each scene alive.

Afternoon (continued): Stroll to Bayeux Cathedral, consecrated in 1077, where the tapestry likely once hung. Wander the medieval lanes—Rue des Cuisiniers has photogenic half-timbering and little food shops; detour to the Bayeux Botanical Garden to see the extraordinary weeping beech (a classified “remarkable tree”). Pause for a coffee at Café Inn (friendly baristas, good espresso) or pick up apple tarts at Maison Bisson.

Evening: Aperitif at Le Volet qui Penche, a cozy wine-and-cider bar along the Aure; ask for a flight of Pays d’Auge ciders and a board of Isigny butter, Pont‑l’Évêque, and Livarot. Dinner at one of Bayeux’s standouts: La Rapière (intimate, seasonal Norman cuisine; book ahead), L’Angle Saint‑Laurent (creative market menu with seafood and garden herbs), or Le Pommier (classic regional dishes—try chicken Vallée d’Auge with creamy apple‑Calvados sauce). Night walk under the softly lit cathedral spires.

Day 2: D‑Day American Sector (Half‑Day), Lunch, Departure

Morning: Join a guided half‑day D‑Day tour covering the most emblematic U.S. sites. Typical departures 8:30–9:00 a.m., returning around 1:00–1:30 p.m.—perfect for same‑day onward travel. Expect moving stops at Pointe du Hoc’s bomb craters, Omaha Beach, and the Normandy American Cemetery with its sea‑cliff overlook and daily flag ceremony (time permitting).

Recommended tour (choose one):

• Normandy U.S. D‑Day Sites Half Day Tour From Bayeux — Efficient, expert-led overview with transport from Bayeux (great if you’re catching an afternoon train).

  

• Omaha Beach D‑Day Experience – Half Day Group Tour from Bayeux — Focused Omaha/Pointe du Hoc circuit with compelling on‑site storytelling.

  

Afternoon: Quick lunch back in Bayeux—Le Garde Manger for hearty croques and salads, or Chez Paulette for a fun, retro‑chic brunch‑style menu. If time allows, step into the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy (compact, well‑curated armor and artifacts) before heading to the station.

Evening/Departure: Take the mid‑afternoon train Bayeux → Paris–St‑Lazare (~2h10), then connect to a Germany‑bound flight or rail. Typical return itineraries reach Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich the same evening. Use Omio (trains) and Omio (flights) to compare schedules and prices; expect €20–€45 Bayeux–Paris, and €70–€180 for Paris–Germany flights when booked in advance.

Food and drink cheat sheet:

• Breakfast/coffee: Café Inn (espresso, terrace), Maison Bisson (viennoiseries), Au P’tit Pâtissier (eclairs and seasonal tarts).
• Lunch: Le Moulin de la Galette (buckwheat galettes, riverside), Le Garde Manger (casual classics), La Maison Blanche (daily chalkboard specials).
• Dinner: La Rapière (romantic, seasonal tasting menus), L’Angle Saint‑Laurent (modern Norman), Le Pommier (traditional—seafood and orchard‑kissed sauces).
• Drinks: Le Volet qui Penche (cider and Calvados flights); ask for a brut cidre, then step up to a VSOP Calvados for apple‑spice warmth.

Timing tips and notes: For a 2‑day trip, half‑day tours fit best with an afternoon departure; full‑day D‑Day tours typically run 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and are ideal if you can depart in the evening. French rail occasionally sees strikes—build a 60–90‑minute buffer for connections in Paris, especially between stations.

In just two days, you’ll experience Normandy’s soul: a medieval town untouched by the Blitz, flavors born of apple orchards and the sea, and shorelines that changed history. From Germany, the route is straightforward—and the reward is profound.