The unmissable sights of Normandy by bike: from the D-Day landing beaches to Trouville and Honfleur
- Arromanches and the landing beaches
- The green landscapes of Calvados and beauty of the coast
- The Old-Bay of Honfleur, bordered by narrow houses
/ 2 testimonials
Reference : NM1 6J
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to November
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
Your cycling tour in Normandy:
Discover what defines Normandy by bike! From Bayeux, with its famous tapestry, bike the length of the Allied Landing Beaches (Gold Beach, Arromanches, etc…) all the way to the beautiful fine sandy beaches of the Côte Fleurie (Cabourg, Deauville and Trouville).
Wander through the heart of a landscape full of small enclosed fields called the “bocage”. These beautiful fields and gentle valleys are enclosed by hedges and copses and full of grazing cows. Bike the length of the historic Normandy coast, where one moving memorial of the allied landings follows another, ending your tour in the stunning medieval port of Honfleur.
Day 1 : Arrival in Bayeux + Excursion to Omaha Beach | 52 km
Wander through the narrow streets of Bayeux and admire the stately merchant houses. Do not forget to admire the impressive Norman/Romanesque historical treasures: the Bayeux Tapestry. This long-embroidered linen cloth was stitched in the 11th century to recount the events of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy.
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 2 : Bayeux – Courseulles sur Mer | 36 km
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 3 : Courseulles sur Mer – Cabourg | 41 km
Bike the length of Juno Beach and then Sword Beach all the way to Ouistreham passing through seaside villages and along fine sandy beaches. Take the time to visit the museum of No. 4 Commando or follow the bike path which runs along the Caen canal to Pegasus Bridge where the British army achieved a significant victory in 1944. After stopping briefly, if you wish, at the Pegasus Memorial it’s time to explore the “Cote Fleurie,” one of the most beautiful coastlines in France. Follow the edge of the sea to Cabourg, with its seaside promenades. It’s been a very popular seaside resort since the start of the 20th century.
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.
Possibility to add an extra night in Caen, before proceeding to Cabourg. Discover the charms of the city of William the Conqueror. The historic center is full of sites to see: ‘Abbaye aux Hommes’ [men] and ‘Abbaye aux Dames’ [women], the ducal castle… The bike stages would be like this:
Courseulles – Caen (via Caen Memorial) 48 km + Caen – Cabourg (via Pegasus Bridge) 26 km.
Day 4 : Cabourg – Honfleur | 51 km
Briefly side-track into the Auge countryside to the village of Beaumont-en-Auge with its colourful timber framed houses before returning to the coast and heading for Deauville, a beautiful seaside resort full of elegant half-timbered houses.
Follow the coastline dotted with apple trees to Honfleur with its pretty marina. Take the time to explore the delights of this lovely medieval port: its small harbour, its typical tall, narrow-fronted colourful houses and its timeless narrow streets and alleys. You’ll see why Honfleur inspired the Impressionist painters.
@c. clier
The Satie houses invite you to discover the Erik Satie’s world. He is a composer and pianist born in Honfleur at the end on the 19th century. Follow the audio-guided musical and scenography display. You will be guided through a series of paintings in a fantasist and humorous, as Satie was.
Musée Eugène Boudin
The Eugène Boudin museum, suggest different themes along the visit: An ethnographic collection (costumes, accessories, lace from Normandy), some contemporary artists, and other artists who lived or worked in Honfleur and in Normandy. And of course, works from the impressionist (and impressive!) Eugène Boudin and his friends (Monet, Mozin Courbet).
Musée Eugène Boudin
The “Museum Pass” gives you access to the various museums in the town of Honfleur, including the Eugène Boudin Museum, the Satie Houses and the Navy Museum.
Day 5 : Honfleur – Trouville | 46 km
Leave Honfleur for a new route exploring the Auge countryside. This classic landscape, so emblematic of Normandy, offers the most beautiful vistas. The “Pays de Auge” is synonymous with apples and, of course, cider and Calvados. However, let’s not forget the dairy cows and the cheese they produce, which is why Pont-l’Eveque is an unmissable stop in your tour. Take the time to explore its brightly coloured half-timbered and carved houses before heading back to Deauville. Continue on to Trouville where the fish market will make your mouth water, while the Belle Epoque ambiance of this seaside town will charm you.
Calvados Experience
One of the oldest Calvados house is welcoming you for an unique experience! We offer you a travel in time from the Vikings to nowadays. Follow the transformation from the apple to the Calvados, from the Norman orchards to the bottling and the international success of the Norman spirit. At the end of the visit, it is time for a tasting!
Day 6 : Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our “Visit package”, with entrance fees to
. Overlord Museum
. Bayeux Tapestry Museum
. Memorial Pegasus
. Visit of the “Calvados Experience” farm-museum (with tasting)
Select your category
- from March 1st to 31st
from November 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
360 € / pers.*
490 € / pers.*
- from April 1st to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
360 € / pers.*
490 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
360 € / pers.*
490 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
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 (5 nights included)
•
Transfer from Trouville to Bayeux and personal bike repatriation
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
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 (5 nights included)
•
Transfer from Trouville to Bayeux and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(including 5 dinners – drinks excluded)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 40 € / pers.*
+ 120 € / pers.
+ 100 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 60 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 60 € / pers.*
High season
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 75 € / pers.*
+ 110 € / pers.
+ 85 € / pers.*
(including : 1 extra night’s accommodation in a two-person bedroom / 1 breakfast / map and itinerary / luggage transfer / 1 day cycle rental – VTC hybrid bike)
+ 115 € / pers.
+ 100 € / pers.*
+ 145 € / pers.
+ 130 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 50% / from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
. Overlord Museum
. Bayeux Tapestry Museum
. Memorial Pegasus
. Visit of the “Calvados Experience” farm-museum (with tasting)
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
OPEN or CLOSED frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 handlebar pannier
- 1 repair kit
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
- 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.
> How to arrive in Bayeux
> Return
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (about 20%) and small traffic roads.
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 – Cabourg : 41km / elevation gain: 101m / elevation loss: 95m
Cabourg – Honfleur : 51km / elevation gain: 487m / elevation loss: 482m
Honfleur – Trouville : 46km / elevation gain: 380m / elevation loss: 382m
GPX files
Besides the maps, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
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 come back to the starting point:
- This return can be carried out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by 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)
– Trouville-Deauville (train station) >> Lisieux train station (by train) >> Caen train station >> Bayeux train station (between 1h15 and 2h15 by train).
– Trouville >> Bayeux (by taxi).
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 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)
– Trouville-Deauville (train station) >> Paris Saint-Lazare train station (about 2h by train).
Nearby Airports:
– Caen airport : http://caen-airport.com
– Deauville airport : https://en.deauville.aeroport.fr
Trip overall rating : / 2 testimonials
Suède
travel date: 06 September 2022.
La deuxième fois avec Randovelo, super cette fois aussi! Merci👍🏼
France
travel date: 06 August 2021.
Tout était parfait. Qualité des vélos, choix des itinéraires, Qualité des hôtels et des restaurants retenues. Encore merci pour cette semaine de rêve