Cycling from Bayeux to Rouen : Normandy discovery
Cycling trip details : From Bayeux to Rouen – Normandy Discovery
From Bayeux to Rouen, this cycling trip takes you on a tour of Normandy from East to West, through its varied landscapes, its medieval and contemporary history, its culture and its gastronomy !
On the programme: major sites of the 1944 landings, the Bayeux tapestry, the city of Caen, its castle and its Abbeys, the rural landscapes of the Bessin and the Pays d'Auge, discovery of Normandy's terroir (cider, cheese, etc.), the Viking heritage, the impressionist painters in the Seine Valley and, finally, Rouen, the capital of Normandy, with its one hundred steeples !
This cycling trip is a real expedition that will surprise you day after day ! Normandy will hold no secrets for you !
From the D-Day beaches to the "côte fleurie"
Your cycling trip along the Normandy coast starts in the charming town of Bayeux, famous for its tapestry, cathedral and medieval streets. Leaving the town, you will pass the Battle of Normandy Museum and the British Cemetery, before cycling through the Bessin countryside to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Your bike ride continues westwards along the beaches of Omaha before returning to Bayeux and enjoying the many restaurants the town has to offer. The next day, we head for the German battery at Longues sur Mer before heading east to the Gold Beach area and the town of Arromanches, famous for the remains of its artificial harbour !
Continue your cycling journey along the Mue valley to Caen, a vibrant student town where life is good! The next day, you cycle along the Orne Canal to the famous Pegasus Bridge, before heading back up the coast via the Salenelle Nature Reserve and the Merville Battery. Finally, the day ends in the seaside resort of Cabourg. The next day is a change of scenery as you cross the Pays d'Auge, with its orchards and numerous stud farms, not forgetting typical villages such as Beaumont en Auge. To finally reach the port of Honfleur, you have two options: join the seaside resort of Deauville and take the coastal road, or cross the woods of Saint Gatien and go directly down to Honfleur.
From Honfleur to Rouen
Situated on the south bank of the Seine estuary, the picturesque slate-clad houses of Honfleur town centre inspired many Impressionist artists such as Claude Monet and Gustave Courbet. Honfleur prospered between the 15th and 17th centuries thanks to the triangular trade and served as a base for expeditions to conquer the New World: Canada, the West Indies and Louisiana. Walking through its winding streets, you will have the impression of going back in time. The old buildings have lost none of their authenticity, some dating back to the Hundred Years War !
You will leave this charming place for the Risle valley, which you reach at Pont Audemer, an ideal place for a lunch break before continuing through country roads, ponds and forests to reach the village of Le Bec Hellouin and its famous abbey.
The last day of this trip will take you to the meandering Seine, which you will cross on a barge to finally arrive in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, where you will have time to discover its lively medieval streets, its cathedral and its "Gros Horloge", as well as its many shops selling local products !
DAY 1 : Arrival in Bayeux
Take time to visit the medieval city of Bayeux : its famous Tapestry, recounting the journey of William the Conqueror and his army to England in 1066, and its Cathedral.
Before dining in one of the town's excellent restaurants, we recommend a walk through the historic heart of the town, which was the Allied quarter after the landings. Bayeux was spared the bombing and still has some beautiful buildings dating from the Middle Ages.
Night in Bayeux.
DAY 2 : Bayeux to Bayeux
Distance : 56.8km / 74.7km
Leaving Bayeux, pass by the Battle of Normandy Museum and the British Cemetery. You then cross the Bessin countryside to reach the coast at Colleville-sur-Mer. This village at the eastern end of Omaha Beach has been home to the bodies of 9,387 soldiers buried in the American Cemetery since 1956.
After your visit, you drive along the Omaha beaches to the west before returning to Bayeux. The longer option takes you to Pointe du Hoc, where the Rangers stormed the German artillery positions on the cliff top.
Night in Bayeux.
DAY 3 : Bayeux to Caen
Distance : 52.5km / 64.4km
Follow the Aure valley towards the sea and reach the German battery at Longues sur Mer, the only one that still has guns. After your visit, you go along the coast towards the east, you are in the Gold Beach area. Between Arromanches and Ver-sur-Mer you can see the huge concrete containers still visible on the beach, ruins of the artificial harbour "Mulberry". Continue eastwards to Juno Beach, the Canadian sector.
You then leave the coast and follow the Seulles and Mue valleys through beautiful countryside to Caen. Completely bombed out during the war, this dynamic student town nevertheless has a rich medieval heritage with the castle of William the Conqueror, the Vaugueux quarter and the many churches and abbeys in the town centre.
Night in Caen. (Dinner included in the Comfort accomodation option)
DAY 4 : Caen to Beuvron en Auge or Cabourg
Distance : 27.3km / 54.3km
From Caen, you follow the Orne Canal to the Bénouville Bridge - Pegasus Bridge - which you cross. This was one of the most strategic points of the landings and was liberated by a British parachute commando early in the night of June 6th. You then pass through Ranville, the first liberated French village.
Continue eastwards and gently enter the Pays d'Auge, a real postcard of Normandy ! The hilly road will take you through orchards, pastures, stud farms, cider farms and cheese factories.
You finally arrive in Beuvron-en-Auge, one of the most beautiful villages in France, before continuing north to the seaside resort of Cabourg (depending on the option chosen).
Situated on the Dives estuary, Cabourg is a popular seaside resort renowned for the fine sand of its 4 km of beach and the Belle-Epoque atmosphere made famous by a certain Marcel Proust. The villas of the haute-bourgeoisie and the Parisian aristocracy of the early 20th century add to the charm of the little town, which is organised around the Casino and the inevitable Grand Hotel.
Night in Beuvron or Cabourg.
DAY 5 : Beuvron en Auge or Cabourg to Honfleur
Distance : 45.2km
Today continue your journey through the Pays d'Auge with a stopover in Beaumont. This is the ideal place for a lunch break where you can enjoy the local delicacies: andouillette and cheese, all washed down with good cider !
You take the road again and finally reach Honfleur. A jewel of art and history, this small fishing port is situated on the southern side of the Seine estuary. The town welcomed and inspired the precursors of impressionist painting: Eugène Boudin, Johan Barthold Jongkind and especially Claude Monet !
The city has preserved a number of monuments from its rich past. A real jewel !
Night in Honfleur.
DAY 6 : Honfleur - Le Bec Hellouin
Distance : 51.2km
Leave the coast and head for the Risle Valley, which you reach in Pont-Audemer, an ideal place for a lunch break in the town centre. You then follow the valley, both wild and welcoming, where the water of the Risle, the wood of the forest, the earth of the paths and the stone of yesteryear blend together. You will finally reach Le Bec Hellouin where your B&B is located.
Night in le Bec Hellouin.
DAY 7 : Le Bec Hellouin - Rouen
Distance : 50.5km
Leave the Bec Hellouin. You then cross the countryside of Le Neubourg to reach La Bouille where you will cross the Seine... on a barge ! Finally, you follow the meandering river Seine to Rouen.
Your hotel is located in the centre of Rouen, close to the Cathedral and the Gros Horloge, which are surely the most important sites in the city. The medieval streets of the capital of Normandy are also home to a number of restaurants and shops selling local produce, ideal for a bite to eat after a week of cycling !
Night in Rouen.
DAY 8 : Rouen
End of the tour in Rouen after breakfast.
To ensure that our tour is adapted to everyone's requirements and budget, we offer 2 categories of accommodation:
Standard accommodation:
You stay in small, family-run 2* hotels.
The welcome is always friendly, and the rooms simple but comfortable.
We know that a walking vacation requires a good rest between each stage, and the bedding is always of the highest quality.
Bayeux: Hôtel **
Caen: Hôtel***
Cabourg: Hôtel**
Honfleur: Hôtel***
Le Bec Hellouin: Guest House
Rouen: Hôtel**
Comfort accommodation:
You stay in 3* and 4* hotels.
The rooms are spacious and the hotel offers a wide range of services.
Bedding is of the highest quality, and decoration is meticulous.
Bayeux: Hôtel ***
Caen: Hôtel****
Cabourg: Hôtel****
Honfleur: Hôtel***(swimming pool)
Le Bec Hellouin: Guest House
Rouen: Hôtel ****
Different bikes available for rental
Because we are not all equipped and because travelling with a bicycle is often not easy, Normandie Rando offers its clients the possibility of renting quality, fully equipped bicycles.
Our bikes are robust and light so that your stay is as pleasant as possible.
They are delivered with a complete equipment:
Helmet
Repair kit including puncture-proof spray, spare inner tube, tyre levers, patches.
Front and rear lights
An anti-theft device
Front pannier with map holder
Rear luggage
We have a perfect knowledge of the terrain and can therefore offer you bikes adapted to the chosen tour.
Depending on your experience and level, you can choose between several types of bikes: They are all available in different sizes in men's, women's and children's frames.
Hybrid Trek
Perfectly adapted to our tours, it is efficient, reliable and very easy to handle.
It is the ideal bike for a successful cycling trip !
E-Bike
You are tempted by a cycling adventure but you are afraid of the unevenness? The electric bike is for you.
With its great autonomy, it will take you with ease on all roads!
Road bike
This type of bike allows you to cover long distances at a sustained pace.
Perfectly suited to regular cyclists.
Children's bike
Our cycling trips are also for families! Of course, we have robust and manageable "Kids" bikes, so that the whole family can enjoy the ride!
We can also offer you additional equipment on request:
Trailer bike / baby carrier / trailer...
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
High season : From june 1 to august 31 2024
Accommodation :
Standard accommodation from : 905€
Single room supplement : 295€
Comfort accommodation from : 1195€
Single room supplement : 395€
You do not wish to benefit from our luggage transport service ?
150€ discount (cannot be combined with the "Group Travellers" discount)
Bike rental for 6 days :
(Delivery and relocation at the end of your tour)
Hybrid Trek : 160€
Road bike : 250€
E-bike : 250€
Solo traveller : 250€ supplement
Group travellers (4 pax & more) : 50€ discount
Departure on Mondays and Saturdays
If departure on another day : 30€ supplement
All prices, discounts and supplements are per person.
The list of hotels included in your stay is available on request via our contact form.
Included in the tour price :
- 7 nights in standard or comfort accommodation with breakfast.
- 6 days cycling.
- Luggage transfers between stages.
- Bicycle delivery, detailled tour explanations, advices...
- Travel documents : roadbook, detailled maps.
- Free access to the "Ride With GPS" navigation service
Non included in tour price :
- Daily tourist taxes
- Dinners, lunches and drinks.
- Entry fees and tickets for cultural and historical sites.
- Travel insurance.
How to get there ?
Coming by train from Paris :
Paris - Bayeux: 2h15 (direct train)
From bayeux train station to your hôtel : 15 min walk or Taxi (around 10€)
Coming by car :
N13 exit 36
Public parking lot in Bayeux
How to go back ?
Go back to Paris by train:
From your hotel to Rouen train station : 15 min walk
Then Sncf Rouen train station - Paris (1h40 min)
Get your car back at the end of your tour :
From your hotel to Sncf Rouen train station: 15 min walk
Then Sncf Rouen train station - Bayeux (2h20 min)
Private transfer from Rouen to Bayeux (Prices on demand)
Bayeux
Rouen
8 days/7 nights
Moderate
N/C
around 380 km
From 905.00€
Book your stay
All included tours
Luggage transfers
Bicycle rental
Roadbook + GPS
Assistance
7/7