The coast of Normandy by bike from Bayeux to Honfleur
Pricing informations
Tour description
The coast of Normandy by bike from Bayeux to Honfleur, in Calvados
From the landing beaches to the flowered coast in Calvados province, ride along the coast of Normandy by bike from west to east, from Bayeux to Honfleur. Cycling holiday in Normandy to discover the history of France, from William the Conqueror until “D-Day” in 1944. An huge program! Bike tours in postcard landscapes specific to Normandy, such as the Pays d’Auge; the wild dunes; the “boards” of Deauville and the picturesque port of Honfleur, the cradle of Impressionism painting.
The first two nights in Bayeux will allow you to enjoy its medieval historic center spared by the bombardments and its cathedral. Do not miss to visit the Tapestry evoking the epic of William the Conqueror. Then escape to the landing beaches of Omaha, Juno by the charming valleys of Aure and Seulles.
Discover Caen, historic capital with the Castle of Willima the Conqueror (still him!) Then go cycling towards the most popular seaside resorts on the Normandy coast. Cabourg and Deauville, surrounded by fine sandy beaches, wild dunes and adorned with sumptuous Belle Epoque style villas!
Daily cycling days with few escapes in Norman lands. You will cross the Pays d’Auge with a typically Norman character with its 1000 horses, cows and apple trees. Enjoy stops in the charming villages of the hinterland while tasting the local gastronomy: andouillette, cheese and of course cider.
End of the cycling trip in Calvados along the “flowered coast” (Côte Fleurie) and last night in Honfleur, one jewel on the Seine estuary and a major tourist attraction in Normandy. This city of Art and History inspired the forerunners of impressionist painting, in particular Monet. You will be charmed by its picturesque alleys and its “Vieux-Bassin” lined with restaurants.
- The Bayeux Tapestry, the first “comic strip” on the conquest of England by the Normans
- Small quiet roads along the coast and the dunes and in the hinterland
- The seaside resorts of Cabourg or Deauville and their sumptuous villas
- The Pays d’Auge and its terroir: cheeses (Livarot, Pont l’Evèque, Camembert), cider and … Calvados
- The picturesque fishing port of Honfleur painted by Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin …
Program
You must find some time to visit the famous tapestry, the cathedral, and the commonwealth war museum, which are allocated in the centre of the town, as well as the wonderfully preserved old part of the town. Being the allies headquarter soon after the landing, Bayeux has not been bombed and is extremely well preserved
From Bayeux and the commonwealth memorial, we head north-west until Omaha beach and the American war cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer. Before returning Bayeux you can make a stopover at the typical fishing village of Port-en-Bessin. A longer option takes you to “Pointe du Hoc” near Grandcamp-Maisy
Following the narrow Aure Valley you soon reach the coast at Longues-sur-Mer to the main German Battery right on the cliff of Gold beach. It will be a short downhill to the famous artificial harbour of Arromanches. Juno Beach and The Canadian Museum right on the beach is at short distance. Courseulles-sur-Mer is a great place for sea food In the afternoon, from the Canadian war cemetery of Reviers you follow the little Mue valley until the Village of Fontaine-Henry and its chateau. From there you ride eastward to reach Benouville on the Orne Valley. You spend the evening by the famous Pegasus Bridge on the Orne Canal; The landing target of the British parachutes and where the longest day really started from!
Along the Orne canal from Caen to the sea you get to the famous Pegasus Bridge. The landing target of the British parachutes and the beginning of the longest day! Past Ranville, the first liberated town in France you head to the coast and the last site of D-Day; the Merville battery! A short stroll along sandy beaches brings you to Cabourg The longer route takes you through the Marsh of the Dives River and exquisite villages of Beuvronen- Auge and Cambremer. We shall find opportunities to sample cider and Calvados….along the way
Through Cabourg and Houlgate, you can admire some of the greatest Anglo-Norman architecture before riding inland to the typical village of Beaumont-en-Auge with its half-timbered houses From there you can choose how you want to get to Honfleur, through the coast from Deauville and its Parisian feel or through the cool forest of St Gatien Arriving Honfleur, you will find your hotel is around the old Harbour Honfleur is a Gem and brimming with art and history, on the south bank of the estuary of the Seine river, Honfleur was a strategic port before becoming an important trading harbour in the XVIth. During the XVIIth century, Honfleur was the starting point for many navigators for the new world; Brazil, New-land, Quebec… From that rich past, almost everything is preserved; Churches, old port, bell-tower, ware-houses, 4 and 5 hundred years old buildings, cobblestone streets far too small for cars…. A real treasure
Trip ends in Honfleur after breakfast.
Practical details
Luggages
Documents
Bikes
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage at each change of accommodation so that you travel light and take full advantage of your daily hike.
You leave your luggage at the reception of your accommodation before your departure .
At the end of the afternoon, you will find them at the reception of your new accommodation or directly in your room.
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 piece of hand luggage.
We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with saddlebags to be used to transport the things you deem useful for the day
Your travel record corresponds to the documents or files you receive before your trip (usually a month before) and upon arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for baggage transport
- Details of the delivery and collection of bikes from rental if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number (s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
- The logbook travel package including map with the route (to the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
- The necessary voucher (s) to be given to the service provider (s) (only if necessary!)
On request and depending on the circuits:
- The “Evazio” application to download from smartphone for “GPS” navigation with visual guidance (reading of the track on the your smartphone) and / or oral.
- The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
- The loan of a GPS device with the pre-recorded tracks
- Sends GPX tracks of each stage to be used with your own navigation support
On this circuit, we suggest that you provide you with the choice and by reservation:
- A hybrid bike suitable for hiking and for the route
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With its equipment:
- 1 rear bag
- 1 handlebar bag
- 1 set of repair
- 1 helmet
- 1 anti-theft device
- 1 charger (for the electric bike)
For the youngest, we can offer depending on age and size
- A child’s bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A follow-up bike
The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.
At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.
This tour in available in comfort or superior version.
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
Comfort : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and rooms of host.
Superior : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guest rooms.
Luxury : The circuit mainly presents 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent
Our support team remains available for the duration of your trip.
