The beautiful town of Bayeux is an easy, and worthwhile trip, by train or car, from Paris. It was not the scene of heavy fighting during the 1939-45 war and was one of the first towns to be liberated. If you are there, be sure to visit the Bayeux War Cemetery and Memorial.
Bayeux War Cemetery
The Bayeux War Cemetery is, thankfully, just that. Little else has been added, which is how it should be. It is a dignified and beautiful place. And immeasurably sad.
It is the largest Commonwealth WWII cemetery in France. If you are in Bayeux, you can reach it easily on foot (a 10-15 minute walk).
The Bayeux War Cemetery was completed in 1952 and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The grounds are immaculately kept and beautiful roses and shrubs are planted between the graves.
They are the resting places of the service men and women who were killed in the surrounding districts or who died in the many hospitals that were established close to Bayeux.
Several stone memorials enclose a space where the headstones for 4,144 Commonwealth service men and women are arranged in perfect geometric formation. More than 300 are marked ‘Unknown’, and about 500 are those of other nationalities – mostly German.
Bayeux Memorial
The Bayeux Memorial stands opposite the cemetery and bears the names of more than 1,800 of the Commonwealth land forces who died in the early stages of the Allied Invasion: during the landings in Normandy, the fierce fighting in Normandy itself, and the push to the River Seine in August 1944. These brave souls have no known graves.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
– Laurence Binyon
we will remember them
Further afield
As well as the War Cemetery and Memorial, Bayeux has plenty to see and do.
You can spend a pleasant half day just looking looking around the town centre.
The town’s other major attraction is the Bayeux Tapestry. It depicts the struggle between the British, led by King Harold, and the Norman forces of William the Conqueror. The stunning handmade tapestry tells the story of the last invasion of Britain, which culminated in the famous Battle of Hastings, in 1066.
We also recommend you visit the nearby Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy, where you can learn more of the critical events of the summer of 1944.
See more Francy That! suggestions for Places To Go.
Information
Entry cost: There is no cost to visit the Cemetery or the Memorial
Opening times: The sites are open 24 hours a day, every day.
Website
For more information and a short video, you can visit the Bayeux War Cemetery website
Getting there
Address: Bayeux War Cemetery and Memorial – 1945 Boulevard Fabian Ware, Bayeux. It is south-west of the town on the ring road (D5).
On foot: It is an easy walk from the town centre.
Bus or Taxi: from Bayeux (see details)
