The Medieval Festival of BayeuxA weekend in the Middle Ages, thirty-five minutes from the campsite
In early July, the historic centre of Bayeux turns into a medieval town: a craftsmen’s market at the foot of the cathedral, encampments, costumed parades, musicians and street performances in the narrow streets spared by the war.
Bayeux can play the Middle Ages without any need for scenery: a Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, untouched lanes, a river running through the town and, above all, the Tapestry, that 11th-century embroidered account of William’s conquest of England. For one weekend at the start of the summer, the town puts on its costume: stalls, encampments, jousting, falconry and early music. The La Capricieuse campsite is a thirty-five-minute drive away, in Luc-sur-Mer.
The dates
Every year- Early Julyone weekend
- 2 daysSaturday and Sunday
- Historic centrearound the cathedral
The festival takes place in the old town, around the cathedral and along the river Aure. The full programme is published by the town in spring.
Getting there
From the campsite- 35 kmto Bayeux
- 35 minby car
- Trainfrom Caen
Bayeux is reached via the coast road and then the D12, or via the N13 from Caen. As the centre is closed to traffic during the festival, park in the outlying car parks and walk the last stretch.
Useful to know
Before you go- Freeaccess to the streets and market
- Costumes welcomeyoung and old
- Tapestryto visit nearby
The street entertainment is free to enjoy; some shows and visits may be ticketed. The Bayeux Tapestry and the Reporters’ Memorial can both be visited on the same day.
The festival, seen from the campsite
A market, encampments and streets in costume
Craftsmen at work, leather and forge stalls, encampments pitched on the squares, bands of musicians, fire-eaters, falconers: for two days, the centre of Bayeux is handed over to re-enactment companies and street performers.
It is one of the easiest days out to do with children: everything is within walking distance, mostly free of charge, and you can slip away at any moment towards the cathedral or the banks of the Aure.
The Tapestry, just around the corner
It is hard to come to Bayeux without seeing the Tapestry: seventy metres of 11th-century embroidery, listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, telling the story of William’s expedition to England. The medieval festival is, in a way, its full-scale staging.
From the campsite the day rounds off easily: Bayeux in the morning and afternoon, back along the coast, then the beach and the heated water park in Luc-sur-Mer at the end of the day.
Early July, the start of the season
The medieval festival falls right at the beginning of the summer holidays, when accommodation in the Bessin and on the Côte de Nacre fills up quickly. A stay at the campsite lets you combine the medieval weekend, the D-Day landing beaches and the sea.
The campsite is open from April to early November, fifty metres from Sword Beach, with five-star cottages and pitches.
Frequently asked questions about the Medieval Festival
When does the Bayeux Medieval Festival take place?+
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The other events
The Tribute Fest
The Normandy Beach Race
Halloween at the campsite
D-Day Festival Normandy
Festival Beauregard
Rétro Festival in Caen
All the events
Your base camp in Normandy
Five-star cottages, a heated water park and the beach fifty metres away, in Luc-sur-Mer.
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