Cycling the Calvados by the coast
Cycling trip details : The Calvados by the coast
In the heart of the Normandy region, from the medieval town of Bayeux to the port of Honfleur, via the landing beaches and the hills and orchards of the Pays d'Auge, come and discover the wonders of Calvados with this 6-day, 5-night trip ! Places steeped in history, picturesque villages, charming seaside resorts, a rich and gourmet gastronomy, all washed down with Cider and Calvados, this tour will delight cycling enthusiasts with its diversity !
From the D-Day beaches to the Côte fleurie
Your cycling trip along the Normandy coast starts in the charming town of Bayeux. 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.
The last stop on this cycling trip is the charming port of Honfleur. Situated on the south bank of the Seine estuary, its picturesque slate houses have 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 !
An unforgettable tour in Normandy
Normandie Rando offers you the opportunity to visit Normandy by bike and to discover its picturesque roads, its atypical villages and its many culinary specialities (cheese, cider, Calvados, etc.). We offer you unique and very interesting itineraries : Bayeux to Mont-Saint-Michel, the landing beaches, the Normandy countryside, the flowery coast, the seaside resorts of the Cotentin, etc.
As a specialist in cycling tourism, our cycle travel agency offers you self guided cycling trips. All our itineraries include bike rental, accommodation and maps with GPS. If necessary, we can provide you with a guide who will accompany you on all your journeys. With Normandie Rando, your cycling holidays are 100% successful.
DAY 1 : Arrival in Bayeux
Bayeux was one of the first French towns liberated by the Allies on June 7, 1944 ! Having escaped the bombardments, it is one of the few towns in the area to retain monuments dating from the Middle Ages.
Allow yourself some time to visit : the Tapestry recounting the epic of William the Conqueror in England in 1066, the Cathedral erected in honour of William and the old buildings of the historic centre...
For the gourmets, the city is full of excellent restaurants. On arrival at the hotel, you will receive a document with our recommendations.
DAY 2 : Loop around Bayeux
Distance : 56.8km / 74.7km
Leaving Bayeux, you pass by the Battle of Normandy Museum and the British Cemetery, before driving through the Bessin countryside to Colleville-sur-Mer. This village, situated 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 west along the Omaha beaches before returning to Bayeux through the countryside. The longest option takes you to Pointe du Hoc, where the Rangers led the assault on the German artillery positions at the top of the cliff.
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 follow the coastline eastwards and enter 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 the fishing port of Courseulles sur Mer and 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. (Formule confort and luxe: Gastronomic dinner included)
DAY 4 : Caen to 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. You then head up the coast through Merville. The German battery that was erected there is still in very good condition. You finish the day by going along the coast to finally arrive in the seaside resort of Cabourg.
Night in Cabourg.
DAY 5 : Cabourg to Honfleur
Distance : 45.2km
Situated on the Dives estuary, Cabourg is a popular seaside resort renowned for the fine sand of its 4 km beaches 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.
When you leave the coast, you enter the Pays d'Auge, otherwise known as the postcard of Normandy. After passing three hundred horses, two thousand cows and about the same number of apple trees, you will reach the village of Beaumont. The place is ideal for a lunch break and you can enjoy the local delicacies: andouillette and cheese, all washed down with good cider!
From Beaumont, cross the woods of Saint Gatien to join the harbor of Honfleur.
Honfleur is a jewel of art and history. This small fishing port is located 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
End of the tour in Honfleur 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***
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)
Luxury accomodation:
You stay in 4* and 5* hotels.
The establishments are often part of the historical heritage (old houses, castles...)
The rooms are very spacious and have all the necessary equipment.
The bedding is excellent.
Bayeux: Hôtel ****
Caen: Hôtel****
Cabourg: Hôtel****
Honfleur: Hôtel****
Different bikes available for rental
On this tour, Normandie Rando offers different models of bikes available for rental.
Our bicycles are robust and lightweight to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
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 in Normandy, it is efficient, reliable and very easy to handle.
This is the ideal bike for a successful cycling holiday !
E-Bikes
Are you tempted by a cycling adventure but afraid of steep hills? The electric bike is for you.
With its great autonomy, it will take you with ease on all roads!
Road bikes
This type of bike allows you to cover long distances at a steady pace.
Perfectly suited for regular cyclists.
Children bikes
Our cycling trips are also for the whole family ! Of course, we have robust and manageable "Kids" bikes, so that the whole family can enjoy the ride!
All bikes are delivered with a full set of equipment:
- Helmet
- Repair kit including anti-puncture spray, spare inner tube, tyre levers, patches.
- Front and rear lighting
- Anti-theft device
- A front bag with map holder
- Rear luggage carrier
We can also offer additional equipment on request :
Trailer bike / baby carrier / trailer…
Contact us for more information.
High season: From june 1st to august 31
Accommodation :
Standard accommodation from 635€
Single room supplement : 200€
Comfort accommodation from 955€
Single room supplement : 355€
Luxury accommodation from 1370€
Single room supplement : 550€
You do not wish to take our luggage transfer service ?
100€ discount (Cannot be combined with the "Group travellers discount")
4 days bicycle rental :
(Delivery and relocation at the end of the tour)
Hybrid bike: 120€
Road bike: 180€
E-bike: 180€
Solo traveller : 150€ supplement
Group travellers (4 travellers and more) : 40€ discount
Departure on Mondays and Saturdays
If departure on other days : 30€ supplement
All prices, discounts and supplements are per person.
The hotel list included in your trip is available on demand via our contact form.
Included in tour price :
- 5 nights in standard, comfort or luxury accommodation with breakfast.
- 4 days of cycling.
- Luggage transfers in between each steps.
- Bicycle delivery, detailled tour explanations, advices...
- Travel documents : roadbook, detailled maps and GPX tracks
Non included in the tour :
- Daily tourist taxes.
- Meals 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 :
Bus, taxi or private transfer from your hotel in Honfleur to the SNCF train station of your choice.
Sncf Trouville/Deauville train station - Paris (2h) OR Sncf Lisieux train station - Paris (1h30)
get your car back at the end of your tour :
Bus, taxi or private transfer from your hotel in Honfleur to the SNCF Lisieux train station and : Train Lisieux - Bayeux (1h)
Private transfer Honfleur - Bayeux (Prices on demand)
Bayeux
Honfleur
6 days/5 nights
Moderate
N/C
around 250 km
From 635.00€
Book your stay
All included tours
Luggage transfers
Bicycle rental
Roadbook + GPS
Assistance
7/7