4 days by bike: D-Day Beaches from Bayeux
4 days / 4 days riding / ref. NM6 / Difficulty Moderate / Round tripper person
Your cycle tour in Normandy:
From the medieval city of Bayeux, discover the Landing Beaches by bike. Ride on small and quiet roads in the countryside or along the coast between nice landscapes and historic sites. Between the famous Omaha Beach and the charming port of Port-en-Bessin, do not miss the high cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and the American Cemetery of Colleville sur Mer. Also take a stroll in the seaside villages. The visit of Caen also reserves you good moments with its pleasant port, its abbeys and its famous Memorial.
Tour highlights
- A wild nature and scenic roads: between high cliffs, seaside resorts and the Seulles Valley
- High-places of the 2nd Word War: Omaha Beach, Colleville sur Mer, Longues sur mer, Arromanches
- Visits to historic sites: Bayeux and château de Fontaine-Henry
Day 1Arrival in Bayeux + Excursion to Omaha Beach | 52 km (+ option 14 km)
Wander through the narrow streets of Bayeux and admire the stately merchant houses. Then bike to Vierville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach, often called ‘bloody Omaha’ as the heaviest allied losses were suffered here. At the top of the cliff the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer dominates the beach. Row upon row of headstones surrounded by emerald green grass and the ever present sea create a sense of peace and serenity. Return to Bayeux after an optional visit to the Overlord Museum.
You can extend the circuit by visiting La Pointe du Hoc cliffs [30 meters high]. Today one can still easily see traces of the damage caused to the fields by shell fire from the allied ships in the channel.
musée overloard
The museum presents a unique collection of reconnaissance aircrafts, flying bombs, tanks, vehicles and canons, hundreds of personal belongings, posters and documents combats’ witnesses. The 6 armies who took parts into the Normandy battles are represented through full-size scenes, recreated with a breathtaking realism.
Day 2Bayeux – Courseulles sur Mer | 36 km
Before getting back on your bike, do not forget to admire the impressive Norman/Romanesque historical treasures: the Bayeux Tapestry! Then head towards Longues-sur-Mer and its impressive German defensive battery, then continue on towards Gold Beach and, of course, Arromanches, Here you’ll be able to see the remains of the enormous artificial port constructed on the orders of Winston Churchill. Don’t forget to visit Arromanches 360°, a circular cinema which graphically illustrates the complete history of the Battle for Normandy. Continue your ride through the Normandy countryside, biking down little lanes between the pretty hedged fields – the “bocage”- until you reach Courseulles-sur-Mer. Take time to stroll round the picturesque fishing harbour.
bayeux museum
This is the most famous Tapestry in the world! You can discover it in 3 times. At the beginning of the visit, listen the audio-guided explanations as watching the Tapestry. Follow the visit in the exhibition room, giving information on the creation and the conservation of the Tapestry. End the visit by watching a movie about England conquest.
Day 3Courseulles sur Mer – Caen | 34 km
Bike along to Juno Beach and Sword Beach passing through small coastal villages and along fine sandy beaches to the port of Ouistreham. Either visit the museum of No. 4 Commando [all about the landing of the Franco-British forces], or continue on taking the bike path along the Caen canal. Don’t forget to enjoy the charms of Caen with its small harbour in the middle of town, its castle [Dukes of Normandy] and its imposing double monastery: l’Abbaye-aux-Hommes [men] and l’Abbaye-aux-Dames [women].
Mémorial Pegasus
Discover what happened the day before the D-Day! The Pegasus memorial presents the 6th Airborne Division missions which consisted in the D-Day landings preparation. Numerous objects, photos, historical and moving memories from the Normandy’s region Liberation are exhibited. A Bailey bridge, the Bénouvile bridge (now called Pegasus bridge), the Horsa glider’s replica and numerous war vehicles are exhibited in the museum’s park.
Day 4Caen – Bayeux | 42 km
For your last stage, leave Caen to the unmissable Caen memorial, a museum dedicated to the battle for Normandy, 20th century history and peace. Proceed to the château de Fontaine-Henry, a magnificent Renaissance property that has remained in the same family for the past 800 years. It boasts among the highest castle roofs in France! Continue on exploring the lovely views of the Seulles valley with its small bocage roads which criss-cross this appealing livestock farming country, then arrive in Bayeux.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Bayeux.
Memorial Caen
The Caen Memorial Museum is a memorial for Peace! Follow 2 museography displays covering from 1939 to 1989: from the origins of WW2 to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Discover the war on a chronological way, explained, imaged, presenting numerous objects, witnesses from this period, French, but also Russians, Japanese, English, Germans, etc.
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our “Visit package”, with entrance fees to
. Overlord Museum
. Bayeux Tapestry Museum
. Memorial Pegasus
. Caen Memorial Museum
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
VÉLO DE VILLE «Trekking »
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
VÉLO DE VILLE « E-Bikes Premium »
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
Practical details
- Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
Your journey
Tour description
Mainly small traffic roads and some cycling paths.
Bike stages trip profiles:
Excursion to Omaha Beach : 52km / elevation gain: 372m / elevation loss: 367m
Bayeux – Courseulles-sur-Mer : 36km / elevation gain: 223m / elevation loss: 261m
Courseulles-sur-Mer – Caen : 48km / elevation gain: 157m / elevation loss: 147m
Caen – Bayeux : 42km / elevation gain: 330m / elevation loss: 302m
Navigation app
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app.
How to arrive in Bayeux
By train:
Paris Saint-Lazare train station >> Bayeux train station (about 2h15 by train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Saint-Lazare train station >> Bayeux train station (by train).
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport 1 or 2 >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles >> Metro line 14 >> St Lazare train station >> Bayeux train station (by train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Saint-Lazare train station >> Bayeux train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – station ‘Bercy’ + line 14 station ‘Gare St Lazare’ >> Bayeux train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – station ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – station ‘Bercy’ + line 14 station ‘Gare St Lazare’ >> Bayeux train station (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Saint-Lazare train station OR Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 – station ‘Champs Elysées-Clemenceau’ + line 13 – station ‘Gare St Lazare’ >> Bayeux train station (by train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Caen airport:
– Taxi transfer to Caen train station >> Bayeux train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle: ‘Aéroport de Caen-Carpiquet’ – Line 3 direction ‘St Clair’ >> stop ‘Gare SNCF’ >> Bayeux train station (by train).
http://caen-airport.com/taxi-shuttle
www.twisto.fr
Return
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by bus + train is possible and organised on your own : www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage.
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility)
– Bayeux (train station) >> Paris Saint-Lazare train station (by train)
– Bayeux (train station) >> Le Mans train station (by train) >> Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station (by TGV train)
Nearby Airports:
– Caen airport : http://caen-airport.com
– Deauville airport : https://en.deauville.aeroport.fr
