Bayeux is a historic town in Normandy, northern France, set near the Aure River and within easy reach of the Normandy coast. Its compact centre contains medieval streets, timber-framed houses, stone buildings, and gardens surrounding the imposing Bayeux Cathedral. The town is especially known for the Bayeux Tapestry, an extraordinary embroidered work that depicts the Norman Conquest of England and is displayed at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. Bayeux also serves as an important base for exploring the nearby D-Day landing beaches and the wider countryside of Calvados.

Bayeux has a strong Norman identity shaped by religious, artistic, and military history. The cathedral stands at the centre of the old town and combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, while the former bishop's palace now houses the Baron Gérard Museum. The Bayeux Tapestry remains the town's most distinctive cultural treasure, presenting a continuous embroidered narrative with ships, soldiers, animals, and medieval life. Local heritage also reflects Bayeux's survival during the Second World War, when the town avoided the extensive destruction experienced by many other Norman communities and became an important centre for the liberation of the region.

The historic centre is best explored on foot, with routes passing the cathedral, medieval houses, the banks of the Aure, and the Botanical Garden. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum provides detailed interpretation of the famous embroidery, while the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy examines the military campaign in the surrounding area. From Bayeux, visitors can reach Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, the German military cemetery at La Cambe, and other D-Day sites along the Normandy coast. The nearby countryside is characterised by orchards, pasture, hedgerows, and villages typical of the Bessin area.

Bayeux's food reflects the agricultural traditions of Normandy, with butter, cream, apples, cheeses, and seafood prominent in local cuisine. Calvados, the apple brandy produced in Normandy, is widely associated with the region, while cider and pommeau are also traditional drinks. Local cheeses such as Camembert, Livarot, and Pont-l'Évêque are common throughout the wider area. Bayeux is also known for its pottery and traditional Norman crafts. A distinctive local detail is the town's lace-making heritage, preserved through the Conservatoire de la Dentelle, where demonstrations help maintain knowledge of this specialised craft.