In short
- Bayeux is about 125 km (1½ hours) east of the Mont.
- The Bayeux Tapestry is on loan to the British Museum in London (10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027); the Bayeux museum is closed for renovation and due to reopen in 2027.
- Bayeux's Gothic cathedral and old town are open as usual, and the town is the classic base for Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc and the American Cemetery.
- Guided tours from Bayeux cover the beaches; others go the other way, to the Mont.
Bayeux
Bayeux was the first sizeable French town liberated after D-Day, on 7 June 1944, and came through the war almost undamaged. Its old streets, water mills on the River Aure and the great Notre-Dame Cathedral, with Romanesque towers and a Gothic nave, make it the most attractive base for the landing beaches. The Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Second World War Commonwealth cemetery in France.
Where is the Bayeux Tapestry in 2026–2027?
The 70-metre embroidery that tells the story of the Norman Conquest – including a scene at Mont-Saint-Michel – normally hangs in Bayeux. The Bayeux museum closed in 2025 for a major redevelopment, due to reopen in 2027, and the tapestry has been lent to the British Museum in London, where it is displayed from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027. If you are in Normandy during this period you will not see it in Bayeux; check the museum's website for the reopening date.
Harold pulls soldiers from the quicksand of the Couesnon, near Mont-Saint-Michel.
The D-Day landing beaches
- Omaha Beach – the American landing beach with the heaviest losses; the Les Braves sculpture stands on the sand at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.
- Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer – white crosses above Omaha, with a visitor centre.
- Pointe du Hoc – cliffs scaled by US Rangers, still cratered by bombardment.
- Arromanches – remains of the Mulberry artificial harbour offshore.
- Juno Beach Centre (Canadian) and Utah Beach Museum, at either end of the landing zone.
- Sainte-Mère-Église – the first village liberated by paratroopers, with its Airborne Museum.
A specialist guide brings the beaches to life and saves a lot of driving between sites.
Bayeux: D-Day landing beaches full-day tour
Utah and Omaha beaches, Pointe du Hoc and Sainte-Mère-Église with a specialist guide from Bayeux.
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Bayeux: American D-Day sites full-day tour
Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery with transport from Bayeux.
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From Paris: Normandy D-Day beaches full-day tour
A long day from Paris to the landing beaches and memorials with a historian guide.
Check availabilityBook via GetYourGuideTour listings are on GetYourGuide. Prices, times and cancellation terms are shown live on each listing and can change; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Combining Bayeux with the Mont
The ideal plan is a night in each: Bayeux for the beaches, the Mont or La Caserne for the evening and morning there. If you are based in Bayeux, full-day guided tours to the Mont include transport, a guide and Abbey entry – see tours.
From Bayeux: full-day Mont-Saint-Michel tour
A full-day guided trip from Bayeux to the Mont, a good add-on to a D-Day beaches stay.
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From Bayeux: guided day at Mont-Saint-Michel
Return transport from Bayeux with a guide and an Abbey visit; expect plenty of steps.
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Hôtel Le Lion d'Or
BayeuxA traditional hotel in a former coaching inn in the centre of Bayeux.
See on Booking.comGrand Hôtel du Luxembourg & Spa
BayeuxA central Bayeux hotel with a spa, close to the cathedral.
See on Booking.comHôtel D'Argouges
BayeuxA hotel in an 18th-century mansion with a garden in the centre of Bayeux.
See on Booking.comChâteau d'Audrieu
BayeuxA château hotel in parkland between Bayeux and Caen.
See on Booking.comSee all hotels in Bayeux on Booking.com
Hotel links go to Booking.com, where you see live prices and availability. We do not list prices because they change daily; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux in 2026?
No. From September 2026 to July 2027 it is on display at the British Museum in London, while the Bayeux museum is renovated.
How far are the D-Day beaches from Mont-Saint-Michel?
Omaha Beach is roughly 1½–2 hours by car. It is a long day trip; staying in Bayeux is better.
Are there tours from Mont-Saint-Michel to the D-Day beaches?
Most D-Day tours start in Bayeux or Caen. Some tours run from Bayeux to the Mont instead.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
MontSaintMichel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Abbey or of the Mont. Some links are affiliate links: tours and tickets go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
