Beach campsites near Bayeux with campfires
Follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and WWII heroes.
Popular camping styles for Bayeux
Beach campsites near Bayeux with campfires guide
Overview
Bayeux’s world-famous masterpiece—the UNESCO-listed Bayeux Tapestry—is just one reason for campers to conquer this Normandy town. Perched along the Aure River and just a short drive from the D-Day Beaches and WWII museums, Bayeux’s half-timbered buildings, cobbled lanes, and flower-fringed riverside provide ample fodder for day-trippers. Bayeux is the ideal base from which to explore further afield, and many of Normandy’s headline acts lie within easy reach. Campers have options on the outskirts of the city and in the surrounding countryside, including serviced aires (caravan parks), family-friendly campsites, and private Hipcamps.
Where to go
Normandy Coast
Normandy’s wind-ravaged coastline skirts the Channel, etched with the traces of heroic D-Day battles and WWII tragedies. The D-Day beaches of Omaha, Sword, Juno, Gold, and Utah are dotted with memorials and museums, while further east, sweeping cliffs and seafront Belle Époque villas point the way to the picturesque Côte Fleurie. For the best views, snag a beachside spot in Deauville or Honfleur.
Cotentin peninsula
Northwest of Bayeux, the Cotentin peninsula remains one of Normandy’s less-explored corners, where you can escape the crowds on rambling coastal hikes and park your campervan in pint-sized fishing villages. The port of Cherbourg, on the north shore, welcomes ferries from the UK and serves as the gateway to the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney. Nearby, the rocky coast of Cap de la Hague is an unsung highlight, but nothing compares with the iconic sight of Mont St Michel at the southwestern tip of the peninsula.
Pays d’Auge
Normandy’s three Cs—Camembert, cider, and Calvados—are on the menu in the Pays d’Auge, the orchard-studded countryside east of Caen. Hop between Beuvron, one of the “most beautiful villages in France,” Cambremer, and Bonnebosq as you follow the Normandy Cider Route between cider farms, stopping for tastings along the way.
When to go
July and August bring a flood of tourists and day-trippers to Bayeux, and camping prices see a corresponding bump over this period. The sweet spot of fewer crowds and still-warm weather are the shoulder months of May-June and Sept-Oct, while the fall harvest is the ideal time to discover the Cider Route. As in the rest of France, camping season is April through October, and year-round options are limited.
