Ferme de la Rançonnière 4*

In beautiful countryside 15km from Bayeux, a former 15th century farm and its outbuildings have been skillfully converted into the striking Ferme de la Rançonnière. Surrounding a picturesque courtyard in lovely grounds, original stonework and wooden beams enhance the character and attractiveness of the accommodation and gorgeous bedrooms are all graced with antiques. All this, plus a very good restaurant and plenty of good old fashioned hospitality to make your stay even more memorable, what more could you ask for. Pet accepted 20€/night.

Home of the famous tapestry and the first French town to be liberated at the end of WWII, medieval Bayeux is a beautiful town bursting with history. There's the huge, well preserved Notre Dame cathedral with its impressive mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles; the British War Cemetery, the largest British military cemetery in France; and the superb botanical gardens with the infamous Weeping Beech tree. Wander around the charming old town where narrow cobbled streets are lined with half timbered houses and crossed by little canals with pretty watermills. There are fabulous art galleries and antique shops as well as quaint boutiques and little outlets all selling regional souvenirs and enticing local produce such as cheese and cider. There is so much to see and do here, not to mention the numerous other tourist sites within easy reach, that you won't want to leave in a hurry and no visit to Normandy is complete without spending at least a few hours here.