What a find! Glad my first choice was unavailable

I'd never been to Bayeux, but friends had recommended a certain hotel which was fully booked. Big disappointment--until I found Hotel Tardif. It sounded--and the internet pictures looked--too good to be true, but it wasn't.

For this portion of my trip, we were two single travelers who wanted separate bedrooms. (My traveling companion snores.) Hotel Tardif has one two-bedroom suite with shared bath on the second floor (European "first floor"), both rooms overlooking a small wooded park, and the rate for that suite was less than a small room I'd had in Paris. Lying in bed, I could look out into the trees of the park.

This is a small establishment--only 6 rooms, I think--owned and run by a woman and her son, Anthony. Continental breakfast was extra, and we had it one day. It was fine but nothing special although the coffee was hot and the croissant fresh. Good boulangerie or patisserie just behind the cathedral, though.

Location was perfect: one block from the beautiful cathedral, about 3 blocks from the Bayeux tapestries. And less than half an hour from the nearest D-Day beaches, our main purpose for being there. Walk to everything in the town. Anthony pointed us to a restaurant called Le Pommier (The Apple-grower) for our first night. It was so good, we went back the next night. Had probably my best meal in France there...all home-grown produce from that section of Normandy. Located right behind the cathedral, a 5 minute walk from Hotel Tardif.

I really liked this place and would like to return. It does not have an elevator, by the way, and is probably not air conditioned. I imagine the breezes from the nearby Atlantic make air conditioning unnecessary 90% of the time.

The perfect place to stay in Bayeux!

We LOVED Hotel Tardif! It was the perfect place to stay... charming and comfortable, and within easy walking distance of so many restaurants, shops and museums. Anthony's gracious hospitality and excellent suggestions made our visit to Bayeux so much more enjoyable, and Madame Voidie was a lovely and helpful hostess as well. We highly recommend Hotel Tardif (especially a room with a garden view) to anyone who is traveling to Normandy! - from Minnesota, USA

Hidden elegance

My father found this little gem after simply googling it. A gorgeous town house with stunning courtyard, formerly built for the Kings secretary. Under the glorious shadow of Bayeaux Cathedral this is a wonderful overnight stay with 22 very stylish elegant bedrooms and lounges overlooking a large private terrace garden that you are encouraged to relax in.

The stunning town house is very central but not at all noisy and has its own safe parking area (although we were cycling!). Owned by a mother and son team, Anthony is a fountain of knowledge, speaks English very well and happily helps you locate anything your heart desires including a superb restaurant and guided tour to the Beaches.

Its like having your own mini chateau with a lovely homely atmosphere and plenty of chic thrown in.

Made to feel very welcome at Hotel Tardif

We found the Hotel Tardif through Trip Advisor where it had been given excellent reviews. The reviewers were not wrong. The hotel location is brilliant, just between the Cathedral and the Tapestry in a quiet street, with everything else in the town within easy walking distance.

We contacted Anthony by email to book a room for 4 nights. He could only accommodate us for 3 nights, but offered to find us accommodation for the other night with one of his hotelier friends in the town. This he did very quickly. Anthony is very helpful and knows his town well! He is happy to make recommendations for restaurants or visits.

The house is also a home and the rooms reflect this, being full of beautiful things.

We stayed for 2 nights in a very pleasant room on the ground floor with a door opening on to the terrace, a large bathroom with twin sinks and a good shower.

The third night we spent in the grande chambre on the first floor. This was magnificent! A very spacious and beatifully furnished room with large windows opening on to the garden. It also had a huge bathroom, with shower, basin and dressing table.

Breakfast in the mornings gave us the opportunity to chat to the other guests from different parts of the world.

We have just returned home to the UK after a great stay and would definitely recommend the Hotel Tardif.

Charming hotel-chateau

We spent only one night in TARDIF, but it was a great experience! Nice historic and alive atmosphere at one time! Lovely hotel with very good location - near the Cathedral and the Tapestry. Special thanks for Anthony for his warm hospitality and kind explanations about the surroundings.

Natalia nd Co from Moscow, July 2006

Must return

Simply superb. The reasonable rate, the wonderful service, the charming room, the beautiful architecture, the delicious breakfast, the wonderful advice from Anthony about Bayeux, restaurants, everything. So close to the Tapestry and the magnificent Cathedral. We were there only 2 days, but wish we could have stayed for 7. We'll be back to Bayeux and the Hotel Tardif.

Absolutely Magnificent

What a truly outstanding place to stay. Our group of 5 had the pleasure to spend 3 nights at this beautiful B & B which is situated in the most enviable position of all the accomodation in Bayeux. Walk out the door, through the courtyard and emerge into the street with an unbelievable view of the cathedral in one direction and the Tapestry some 150m in the other.How's that for location.

The Tardif is beautifully furnished with antique furniture but with modern bathrooms. The house is set in a pretty garden and grounds that are very peaceful . Anthony and his mother are wonderful hosts and are justifiably very proud of their house.

As mentioned Anthony speaks excellent English and has a wealth of local knowledge. Be sure to ask for his restaurant recommendations, the best of which in our opinion was La Rapiere a short walk away.

To conclude this is a very special place to stay and one to which we will return.

Happiness lives at Hotel Tardif!!!

My family and i stayed at Hotel Tardif during Easter, last April. We decided to book all the second floor, including "Moisson de vaux" that a tripadvisor member recommended in a previous review. That was excellent, rooms were bright, clean, mattress very good, bathroom spacious.

Anthony welcomed us so warmly -despite our 4hours late arrival...

About breakfast, don't expect a traditional american meal... no corn flakes, noo pancakes, nothing hot except your coffee or tea! But you have wonderful croissants and baguettes!

We enjoyed our discussions with Anthony, it's hard to find someone speaking such a good English in France! He tols us the story of his property and Normandy so long, i felt like a kid at school learnung so much! He explained that Hotel Tardif was built by the King Louis 16 to offer it to his botanist. This man brought back from expeditions in America many tree and plants that are magestic! a luxurious nature in city center, that's a dream!

Anthony, thank you so very much for welcoming us like you did, we'll never forget it.

Gorgeous!!!

we just LOVED this place! it's like a chateau with a great architecture, a superb park, and it's right in city centre!! owners are so friendly, interesting, Anthony speaks a so good English (much better than my French...). "Moisson de Vaux" is the best room, created during "Directoire" period. This is a must!

enjoy Bayeux!

Charming place to stay

Very charming B&B in the heart of Bayeux. Easily walkable from the train station, and very close to the Tapestry and the cathedral. We stayed one night during July 2005, and were very pleased with the cost (extremely reasonable--85 euros for a triple) as well as our hosts. Anthony (who speaks excellent English) and his mother accomodated us even after we arrived 8 hours after we had told them to expect us, and the provided breakfast was simple but yummy. Our room was very spacious and well-decorated, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the building and its large courtyard, all built in the 17-18th century.