Normandy is a tapestry of stories—Viking landings, William the Conqueror, Impressionist light, cider orchards, and the D-Day landings that changed world history. You’ll base in Bayeux, one of the few towns spared in 1944, a jewel of cobbles and half-timber, perfect for walking and dining between museum visits and coastal excursions.

Over two days, this itinerary delivers Normandy’s essentials at an unhurried pace: the Bayeux Tapestry and cathedral, the American D-Day beaches with expert commentary, and time for buttery galettes, fresh oysters, and apple-forward Calvados. You’ll move smartly, eat well, and see the places you’ve read about—without feeling rushed.

Practical notes: trains from Paris to Bayeux take about 2–2.5 hours; many restaurants book up in peak season (May–September), so reserve dinner. Pack layers—coastal breezes can be brisk even in summer. Museums sometimes reduce hours in winter; check ahead if traveling off-season.

Bayeux

Bayeux is Normandy in miniature: medieval lanes, a soaring Gothic cathedral, riverside mills, and cafés that spill into tiny squares. The famed 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry—really an embroidered epic—tells of the Norman conquest in riveting panels, while WWII sites sit just a short drive away.

It’s also a great place to eat. Think buckwheat galettes with local andouille, butter-bathed sole from the Channel, warm apple tarts, farmhouse cheeses from Isigny, and crisp, golden cider. In the evening, the cathedral’s silhouette glows over stone streets that feel made for strolling.

• Top sights: Bayeux Tapestry Museum; Bayeux Cathedral; Museum of the Battle of Normandy; British Military Cemetery and Memorial; riverside walk along the Aure.
• Why base here: Compact, atmospheric, and close to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and Port-en-Bessin. Easy rail access from Paris.
• Fun facts: Bayeux was the first French city liberated in 1944. The tapestry’s scenes include over 600 human figures and 200 horses—like a medieval graphic novel.

Where to stay (curated picks + search options):

• Hotel Le Bayeux (central, friendly, great for walkers): Check availability
• Château La Chenevière (country-house elegance near Port-en-Bessin; gardens and fine dining): Check availability
• Ibis Budget Bayeux (value, parking, good base if you’ll tour all day): Check availability
• Browse more stays in Bayeux on Hotels.com: Search Bayeux hotels or on VRBO: Search Bayeux vacation rentals

How to get to Bayeux:

• Fly to Paris (CDG/ORY): Compare flights in Europe on Omio.
• Train Paris–Bayeux: From Paris Saint-Lazare to Bayeux in ~2h15–2h30 (often direct or 1 change at Caen), typically ~$25–$55 one way. Check times and book on Omio Trains.
• Driving: ~2.5–3 hours from Paris via A13/A84; convenient if you plan to roam the coast independently. Paid/blue-zone parking in central Bayeux.

Day 1: Arrival in Bayeux, Tapestry and Cathedral, Norman Comforts

Morning: Travel to Bayeux. If you’re departing Paris early, grab a train-day breakfast at Saint-Lazare and bring a croissant for the ride. On arrival, drop your bags at your hotel and stretch your legs along the Aure river path to get oriented.

Afternoon: Start at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (allow 60–90 minutes; audio guide included; tickets roughly €12–13). The 70-meter epic makes the 1066 invasion feel immediate—look for the Halley’s Comet panel and the tiny visual jokes stitched by medieval hands.

Stroll to Bayeux Cathedral, consecrated in 1077, where the tapestry was once displayed. Step inside for ribbed vaulting and story-rich capitals, then circle the cloister and the mellow streets nearby for photos.

Evening: Settle into dinner at one of Bayeux’s best:

• La Rapière (intimate, seasonal Normandy cuisine—think scallops in cider butter, veal with morels). Reserve ahead.
• L’Angle Saint-Laurent (modern bistro plates—line-caught fish, market veg, clever sauces; relaxed but refined).
• Le Pommier (regional classics: Camembert baked with honey, duck magret, apple-forward desserts). Warm, family-run feel.

Before or after dinner, sip a glass at Le Volet qui Penche, a cozy wine bar by the river, with Norman cheeses (Livarot, Pont-l’Évêque) and charcuterie boards. Night stroll the lit-up cathedral; Bayeux feels storybook after dark.

Day 2: D-Day Beaches, Port Flavor, and Departure

Morning: Coffee and pastry at Maison Lemoisson or tea and a flaky kouign-amann at Les Volets Roses. Then join a focused D-Day experience (hotel pickup points are central; most tours run ~4–5 hours—perfect before your afternoon departure):

Featured tour: Omaha Beach D-Day Experience - Half day group tour from Bayeux. Expect Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and powerful stories of June 6, 1944 delivered on-site by an expert guide. You’ll stand atop German bunkers, view the bluffs, and grasp the scale of the assault from the sand itself.

Afternoon: Return to Bayeux for a quick, satisfying lunch:

• Crêperie La Reine Mathilde: buckwheat galettes with andouille de Vire, melted Camembert, or eggs-and-ham; finish with a caramel au beurre salé crêpe and a bolée of dry cider.
• Le Garde Manger: soups, quiches, and salad plates sourced from local producers—fast, friendly, and right in the old town.

If time allows before you head out, stop by the Museum of the Battle of Normandy (tanks, period vehicles, maps, and a clear arc from D-Day through the Battle of the Falaise Pocket; ~60–90 minutes). Then collect bags and make for your train. Paris-bound services mid-afternoon are frequent; check Omio Trains for the next departure (about 2h15–2h30).

Evening: If you’re catching a later train or staying one more night, head to Port-en-Bessin (15 minutes by taxi) for harbor views and seafood: try L’Écailler for oysters and a seafood platter or La Marine for sole meunière and mussels with cider cream. Back in Bayeux, grab a nightcap Calvados at Le P’tit Bistro on a snug corner terrace.

Want to extend or swap in a signature day trip?

• Full-day D-Day immersion: Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux for a deeper look at Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.

• Mont Saint-Michel (iconic abbey on a tidal island): Mont Saint-Michel Day Trip from Bayeux (Shared tour) if you add a day; watch the tides and climb to the abbey for sweeping views.

• Something different: See the beaches in vintage style on a Private tour by sidecar—wind-in-your-hair, wildly photogenic, and surprisingly informative.

Food and drink extras (for snacks and souvenirs): pick up caramels from Isigny, apple jam and cider from a local épicerie, and a wedge of Livarot or Pont-l’Évêque for the road. Saturday mornings bring a lively Bayeux market—great for picnic staples if your timing aligns.

Getting onward: Trains back to Paris Saint-Lazare run through the afternoon; expect ~€25–€55, ~2h15–2h30. For flights within Europe, search options on Omio. If driving, consider a coastal detour via Arromanches (Mulberry Harbor remains) or Honfleur’s old port on your way to Paris.

Where to stay near the beaches (if you add a night): Mercure Omaha Beach Hotel (golf course setting, easy beach access): Check availability. For families, Pierre & Vacances Village Normandy Garden offers pools and cottages in the countryside: Check availability.

In two days, you’ll have touched the heart of Normandy—medieval marvels in Bayeux, the solemn sands of Omaha, and flavors that taste of sea salt and orchards. Return for an extra day or two and add Mont Saint-Michel or the pastel harbor of Honfleur; Normandy rewards every added hour.