Normandy is where Europe’s medieval legends and 20th‑century history intersect: Viking raids, William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion chronicled in the Bayeux Tapestry, and the Allied landings of June 6, 1944. Today, it’s a landscape of hedgerows, chalk cliffs, and apple orchards, framed by tides that surge around Mont‑Saint‑Michel.

Base yourself in Bayeux, the first town liberated in 1944 and one of the few in Normandy spared from heavy bombing. Its cathedral spires rise above half-timbered houses and mill streams, an elegant counterpoint to the powerful memorials along Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.

Come hungry: Normandy is France’s dairy heartland—think Camembert, Pont‑l’Évêque, and salted butter—paired with fresh seafood from Port‑en‑Bessin and crisp cider and Calvados brandy. Pack layers and a windproof jacket for coastal visits; check tide times for Mont‑Saint‑Michel; and book D‑Day guides in advance, especially in late spring and summer.

Bayeux

Storybook streets, a Gothic cathedral, and one of the world’s great narrative artworks make Bayeux a perfect launch pad. Within 30–45 minutes you’re on the D‑Day beaches, while inland roads meander through cider farms and cheese villages.

• Top sights: Bayeux Cathedral, Bayeux Tapestry Museum (11th‑century embroidered epic), Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie, nearby Arromanches (Mulberry Harbor remains).
• Food & drink: Crêpes and galettes, oysters from the Bay of Veys, sole meunière, teurgoule (Norman rice pudding), and apple‑based everything—cider, pommeau, and Calvados.
• Fun fact: Bayeux was liberated on June 7, 1944, and hosted General de Gaulle’s first speech on French soil after D‑Day.

Where to stay (Bayeux & nearby):

• Château La Chenevière (5‑star country manor near Port‑en‑Bessin): refined rooms, walled gardens, and an excellent restaurant—great if you want resort‑style calm after touring.
• Hotel Le Bayeux (central, reliable, walkable to the Cathedral and Tapestry): a value favorite with family rooms.
• Ibis Budget Bayeux (budget, parking, easy road access): clean, practical base if you’ll be out touring all day.
• Mercure Omaha Beach Hotel (Port‑en‑Bessin): for golfers and beach‑area access; a tranquil alternative base by the fairways.
• Apartment or cottage hunters: browse VRBO Bayeux or hotels via Hotels.com Bayeux.

Getting there:

• Fly into Paris (CDG/ORY). Compare options on Omio (flights to/from Europe) or, if flying from outside Europe, check Kiwi.com and Trip.com (global flights).
• Train Paris–Bayeux: from Paris Saint‑Lazare, about 2h10–2h30 direct to “Bayeux,” typically €20–€45 if booked ahead. Search schedules and fares on Omio (trains).
• Bus: slower but cheaper (3–4h) via Caen—compare on Omio (buses).
• From UK by ferry: Portsmouth–Caen (Ouistreham) overnight or daytime sailings (~6h), then ~35–45 min drive/train to Bayeux. See Omio (ferries).

Day 1: Arrive in Bayeux, Old Town Stroll, Cathedral and Tapestry

Morning: Travel into Normandy. If coming from Paris, aim for a late‑morning train so you reach Bayeux early afternoon (about 2h20; check Omio for times). Drop bags at your hotel and stretch your legs along the River Aure.

Afternoon: Visit the Bayeux Cathedral, a soaring mix of Romanesque and Gothic begun in the 11th century. Then see the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, where a 230‑foot embroidered “comic strip” narrates William the Conqueror’s 1066 triumph—audio guide recommended to catch the sly medieval jokes.

Coffee & snack: Pop into Chez Paulette (vintage tea room vibe; homemade cakes) or Le Garde Manger (cozy crêperie steps from the cathedral) for a galette complète and a bolée of cider.

Evening: Dinner at La Rapière (intimate stone‑walled bistro—reserve; order the local scallops in season) or L’Angle Saint‑Laurent (modern “bistronomie,” creative takes on Norman produce). Nightcap at Le Volet qui Penche, a wine bar by the water with charcuterie boards and excellent Calvados flight options.

Optional (if you arrive early and want a primer):

- Normandy Beaches Half-Day Afternoon Trip from Bayeux (A2) — a focused introduction to Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc (typically departs ~1–2 pm, ~5 hours), great if Day 2 is already booked.

Day 2: Full‑Day D‑Day American Sectors Tour

Dedicate a full day to the American landing sites with a specialist guide. You’ll stand on Omaha Beach, peer over the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, and pay respects at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville‑sur‑Mer, where rows of white crosses face the sea. Guides bring the strategy, heroism, and chaos of June 6 to life—maps and photos in hand—so you understand not only what happened, but why.

Recommended tour: Normandy American D-Day Beaches Full Day Tour from Bayeux. Expect small groups, plenty of stops, and time for contemplation at the cemetery’s chapel and memorial.

Lunch ideas: Many tours pause in Arromanches‑les‑Bains; try a bowl of fish soup or moules‑frites at a café near the seafront. If you’re self‑guided, detour to Port‑en‑Bessin for the day’s catch straight from the boats.

Dinner back in Bayeux: Le Pommier (traditional Norman fare—duck with cider sauce; Camembert baked in the box) or Le Moulin de la Galette (riverside crêperie in an old mill; book terrace tables in fine weather).

Day 3: Mont‑Saint‑Michel Day Trip

Today is for tides and turrets. The abbey of Mont‑Saint‑Michel rises from mudflats like a mirage; at high tide the causeway appears to dissolve, isolating the rocky mount. Wander steep cobbled lanes, circle the ramparts for bay panoramas, then climb to the abbey church, cloister, and refectory—Gothic stonework seemingly weightless above the sea.

Recommended day trip: Mont Saint-Michel Day Trip from Bayeux (Shared tour). Transport and timed entry logistics are handled; you focus on the views and the abbey.

Eating on the Mont: Try the frothy skillet‑whipped omelette at La Mère Poulard (iconic, pricier) or grab a quick galette and apple tart at a crêperie on Grand Rue to maximize time on the ramparts. Bring a light layer; winds can be brisk even in summer.

Evening back in Bayeux: Keep it casual at Au P’tit Bistrot on Place de Gaulle—daily chalkboard menus and good value—or toast the day with a cider tasting flight at Le Volet qui Penche.

Day 4: Bayeux Market, Cider & Calvados, Coastal Pause, Departure

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse the Bayeux Market on Place Saint‑Patrice: cheeses (Camembert, Pont‑l’Évêque, Livarot), saucisson, strawberries in season, and raw‑milk butter. Prefer a high‑octane finale? Book a sidecar spin to the beaches—equal parts history and exhilaration:

- Private tour of 2 hour to 7 hours by sidecar on the D-Day beaches — customizable route from your hotel to Pointe du Hoc and key sites.

Afternoon: Lunch back in town—try a seafood platter at Le Pommier or a last crêpe at Le Garde Manger. Pick up edible souvenirs: bottles of pommeau and Calvados, caramels d’Isigny, and sablés (butter biscuits). Depart Bayeux by mid‑afternoon for Paris (2h10–2h30 by train; check Omio), your ferry port, or your flight home via Omio (Europe flights) or Trip.com.

Evening: If you’re lingering an extra night, detour to Arromanches for golden‑hour views over the Mulberry Harbor caissons, then a relaxed dinner at Le Moulin de la Galette back in Bayeux.

Practical tips:

• Seasonality: April–October is prime; June 6 and the surrounding week are the busiest—book tours and rooms early.
• What to wear on beach days: Sturdy shoes (uneven terrain and sand), layers, and a windproof jacket; cemeteries and memorials merit respectful attire.
• Driving vs public transport: Self‑driving gives flexibility for cider farms and small villages; tours are best for in‑depth WWII context and time efficiency.

More places to stay in the region (if you extend): Family‑friendly cottages with pools at Pierre & Vacances Village Normandy Garden (near Deauville), or overnight in Le Havre at Novotel Le Havre Centre Gare if you’re cruising in/out.

Book hotels and apartments via Hotels.com Bayeux or VRBO Bayeux, and compare rail options on Omio trains. For flights within Europe, use Omio flights; for global routes, try Kiwi.com and Trip.com.

Optional D‑Day alternatives (if you swap a day):

• Normandy American D-Day Experience - Group tour from Bayeux (another excellent small‑group option).

Four days in Normandy balances solemn remembrance with coastal beauty and culinary pleasures. With Bayeux as your base, you’ll trace history from medieval tapestries to modern heroism, savor cider and seafood, and stand where the tides meet the stones. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of place—and plenty of reasons to return.