Bayeux

[peterc10]

We are on our way to Britanny (we think) on Saturday and are thinking of visiting Bayeux on the way, probably Monday, to see the tapestry. However, we have never been any closer that Honfleur to it. So we have a couple of questions for those who have been.

Can you recommend an Aire or campsite close to the tapestry please?

Also is there anything else worthwhile visiting in the town or in the surrounding region please?

Many thanks for any information you can give.

 

[Two on Tour]

Normany D Day landing beaches.

 

[Detnor]

Last year we struggled with the aire so went onto the campsite Le camping des Bords de l'Aure which was/is the municipal site. Parkland setting and a 15 minute walk into the centre. Site itself was immaculate, facilities ok, 6 amp ehu and free wifi in a room next to reception.

 

[DBK]

We are on our way to Britanny (we think) on Saturday and are thinking of visiting Bayeux on the way, probably Monday, to see the tapestry. However, we have never been any closer that Honfleur to it. So we have a couple of questions for those who have been.

Can you recommend an Aire or campsite close to the tapestry please?

Also is there anything else worthwhile visiting in the town or in the surrounding region please?

Many thanks for any information you can give.

We visited last year to see the military museum and cemetery, post #56 here.

Two Go Back in Time

Dispatches from Pluto is excellent,,very funny read. BUSBY. Many thanks, I've read a couple of his earlier books and enjoyed them.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There is an aire in bayeux just outside one of the old civilian cemeteries, it's close to the cathedral and museum that hold the tapestries and also the military war cemeteries, its in the French Aires book. Its a reasonably quiet area, no dump but water tap and rubbish disposal. Should also be on camper contact.

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[GAVLAD]

Bayeux is one of our favourite places - so much in the area to see and do.
There's an Aire which is located next to the entrance to the museum of the battle of Normandy - entrance to museum is on left and Aire is on right. It's a tight entrance when coming in from the main road but we managed it in a 9m tag axle.
The road is the D5.
Museum is worth seeing.
Further up road (5mins walk) is Bayeux CWGC - one of the largest ww2 British & Commonwealth cemeteries. - Please do go for a walk there.
There's a road into town - walkable 10mins or so and sign posted.
Bayeux Tapestry & museum is sign posted.
The cathedral is worth looking in as is wandering the streets with the old buildings.
Plenty of cafe bars, restaurants and patisseries.
The tourist office is excellent - they'll give you maps and you can buy a museum pass which works out cheaper if you visit more than one. - you may be able to buy this pass at any museum as well.

There is a large car park which is advertised in the all the aires book and is overlooked by the telecoms building. They no longer allow over night stays for motorhomes here but you can park up during the day. The market takes place here on certain mornings.
On the way in on the D613 there's a Carrefour hypermarket with cheap fuel - they have a motorhome water & waste bourne - it's located in the far corner of the supermarket car park overlooking the fuel station but you access it via the car park not the fuel station.
I don't think there was a bourne at the Aire although I could be mistaken.

Also on the D613 is the Camping Bayeux municipal site. We've stayed on there with our VW Campervan but would probably struggle in our tag axle as the lanes were a bit tight on site - But I'd have a go if desperate.
The campsite as mentioned, is about a 15-20mins stroll into town but you can walk along the river bank which is quicker. there's a bread van that comes around every morning and a pizza van certain evenings. Facilities were basic but immaculate and the site is tendered by the council gardeners so was in full bloom when we visited. Public swim pool next door which you can use.

Slightly out, there's loads to see. If you're interested in the ww2 sites you're spoilt for choice.
I would suggest buying Major & Mrs Holt's pocket guide to Normandy as they give a tour route and brief explanation of sites and where's good to visit. It's about £6 on eBay.

Port en Bessin has a good Aire and is nice to visit/stay a night.
Arromanches is worth visiting and has an Aire.
Radar museum near Douvres was interesting.
American cemetery at Colleville our Mer is an eye opener.

If you're coming in from the Hornfleur direction, consider a stop off in Deauville - it's a really nice place but the Aire is tiny. You could then stop off at Merville Battery and Ranville (Pegasus Bridge) - the first places of D day.

Have a great time. I love the place and feel so humble seeing the sites at what the allied forces went through.

 

[Camdoon]

Just starting to do some serious planning as my father went through Juno. What a treasure of info we have on here.

 

[OwnedbyCollies]

Bayeux is a lovely little city - lots to see and an excellent saturday market. The Tapestry is well worth a visit.

There is a MH aire at the Musée de la Bataille de Normandie (across the road from the British Cemetery). It's just a separate parking area with no services, but only a short walk to the centre (and also handy for the vets just up the road) We didn't stay overnight, but according to Campercontact (CC60424) it's 4 euros from 5pm to 8am.

Fabulous area with loads to see - too many places to list but our favourites include:-

• The Longues-sur-Mer Battery - stay on the cliff top at the end of the road - fantastic views of the Mulberry Harbour and walks along the coast.
• Arromanches - park at the Arromanche 360 cinema and walk or get the little tourist train down to town. It appears you can stay overnight again here according to Campercontact. The aire in town is VERY tight.
• The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer
• The German Cemetery at La Cambe
• Sainte-Mère-Église - new aire on the outskirts
• The Pays d'Auge - aire at Beuvron en Auge (Plus Beau Village) and lots of cider and cheese related 'stuff'
• Swiss Normandie - Aire at Clécy - lovely area and lots of walks (info in Tourist Office).

 

[OwnedbyCollies]

GAVLAD beat me to it!
It obviously takes me ages to put a post together

 

[trophychap]

The cemetery at Bayeux is as much an essential place to visit as the tapestry. In common with Ypres - it's the names on the cenotaph (apologies if not the correct terminology) that finally get you.

(We were on one of the motorbikes when we went; we wished there had been a café close so we could just sit and take stock properly out of the sun before carrying on. )

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[TerryL]

Spent a lot of time in that area when I was coach driving. If you're interested in the Normandy Landings, start at Pegasus Bridge then follow the coast westwards. Done properly it'll take a couple of days - get a guide book at Pegasus Bridge so you don't miss anything. Also be aware that there are many "museums" advertising along this route and in the area; interesting enough but most are simply small collections of decrepit vehicles and old ordinance, the proprietors "getting on the bandwagon" as it were.
Note the well-advertised museum in Caen isn't actually much to do with the D-Day landings, although it's good for a wet day. Caen itself is worth a couple of hours exploring though; park at the Chateau - it's a bit tight but I did manage to get a full-sized double decker coach in!

Remember as well it's a cider producing area if you like apple-juice in varying levels of intoxication!