The coast of Calvados

The tour is classified as a ‘moderate challenge’, suitable for regular cyclists. The stages range from 30 to 75 km, with a choice of distance available almost every day. Day 2 offers a 57 or 75 km loop to Omaha Beach (with Pointe du Hoc as an optional extension). Day 3 offers a 52 or 64 km route from Bayeux to Caen via Gold Beach and Juno Beach. Day 4, from Caen to Cabourg, offers a choice of 30 or 55 km. And Day 5 covers 43 km from Cabourg to Honfleur through the Pays d’Auge. The terrain alternates between flat coastline, the Bessin countryside and the gentle valleys of the Pays d’Auge. An electric bike (€190 for 4 days) is available to tackle the longest days with complete peace of mind.

It is the only tour that combines the D-Day beaches, Caen, the Côte Fleurie and Honfleur in a 6-day itinerary. The first half of the trip is devoted to history (Omaha Beach, the American cemetery, Pointe du Hoc, Gold Beach, Arromanches, Juno Beach, Caen), then the route shifts towards leisure and the art of living (Pegasus Bridge, Cabourg and its Belle Époque beach, the Pays d’Auge with its orchards and cheeses, Beaumont-en-Auge, and the arrival in Honfleur, an Impressionist gem). This contrast between remembrance and the gentle art of living gives the trip a powerful narrative arc. It is also the only tour in the catalogue to offer a Superior Luxury option with 4- and 5-star hotels, for those who wish to experience this journey through Calvados in exceptional surroundings.

Day 1: arrival in Bayeux, free time to visit the cathedral, the medieval centre spared from the bombings, and the town’s gourmet restaurants.
Day 2: loop to Omaha Beach, including the Battle of Normandy Museum, the British cemetery, the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer with its 9,387 white crosses facing the sea, the beaches of Omaha, and, as an optional extension, Pointe du Hoc.
Day 3: the Longues-sur-Mer battery with its intact guns, the remains of the artificial harbour at Arromanches (Gold Beach), Juno Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, then the Mue Valley and arrival in Caen with its castle, abbeys and the Vaugueux district.
Day 4: the Orne Canal and Pegasus Bridge, then a choice of the coast via Merville and its German battery to Cabourg, or inland via Beuvron-en-Auge, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Arrival in Cabourg, a Belle Époque seaside resort with 4 km of fine sandy beach.
Day 5: a ride through the Pays d’Auge with its horses, cows and apple trees, a gourmet stop in Beaumont-en-Auge (andouillette, cheese, cider), and arrival at the port of Honfleur, a jewel of art and history that inspired the Impressionist painters. Five days that capture the essence of Calvados.

The first two days of cycling are entirely devoted to the D-Day beaches. On Day 2, a loop from Bayeux takes you to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, and, as an optional extension, Pointe du Hoc. On Day 3, the route to Caen passes through the Longues-sur-Mer battery, the artificial harbour at Arromanches (Gold Beach) and Juno Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer. These are the four most iconic sites of the Western Allied sector, visited in a logical geographical order before heading towards the Côte Fleurie and the Pays d’Auge for the second half of the trip.

Yes, on several occasions. On Day 2, the vast sandy beaches of Omaha Beach are accessible. On Day 3, Gold Beach and Juno Beach offer beautiful stretches of sand. But it is on Day 4 in particular that a swim really comes into its own: Cabourg and its 4 km of fine sandy beach, made famous by Marcel Proust, provide the ideal seaside setting for a late afternoon with your feet in the sand. As the itinerary is flexible, you’ll always have free time to enjoy the sea.

This route takes you through the gastronomic heart of Calvados. Bayeux kicks off the trip with its top-quality restaurants. The Pays d’Auge, which you’ll pass through on Day 5, is the birthplace of artisanal cider, Calvados and Normandy cheeses (Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l’Évêque). In Beaumont-en-Auge, a stop is a must to sample andouillette and cheese washed down with cider. Honfleur offers its seafood restaurants and crêperies overlooking the Vieux Bassin. And all along the route, the apple orchards remind you that you are in the heart of cider country. Every stage is a gourmet stop.

It is the only holiday in the catalogue to offer three categories.The Standard package (from €670) offers family-run 2- or 3-star hotels: Le Saint Patrice in Bayeux, the Hôtel Les Quatrans in Caen, the Villa Les Mots Passants in Cabourg and the Hôtel du Dauphin in Honfleur. The Comfort package (from €960) upgrades to 3- and 4-star hotels with dinner included in Caen: the Hôtel d’Argouges or Le Churchill in Bayeux, the Hôtel du Dauphin in Caen, the Mercure with a swimming pool in Cabourg and the Hôtel Le Cheval Blanc in Honfleur. The Superior Luxury package (from €1,350) offers an exceptional experience: the Hôtel Le Lion d’Or or La Maison de Mathilde in Bayeux (4-star), the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg (5-star, Marcel Proust’s hotel), and La Maison de Lucie or Les Maisons de Léa in Honfleur. It’s the same cycling adventure, set against a backdrop ranging from cosy comfort to heritage-inspired luxury.

Yes, in the Superior Luxury package. You’ll stay at the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg, a historic monument in the seaside resort, made famous by Marcel Proust who stayed there regularly. The hotel overlooks the beach and the promenade. Arriving by bike after a day in the Pays d’Auge or along the coast, parking your bike and stepping into this Belle Époque palace facing the sea is an experience that combines physical exertion with an exceptional reward. It is the only opportunity in the entire Normandie Rando catalogue to stay in a 5-star hotel.

Normandie Rando transfers your luggage between each stage. You’ll find it in your room every evening. The only day you stay at the same hotel is Day 2 (a loop starting from Bayeux), which simplifies logistics at the start of your trip. A comprehensive route book with mapped routes, GPX tracks and a mobile navigation app will guide you along each route and distance option. Every hire bike comes with a helmet, a full repair kit, lights and a lock. A helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bayeux is accessible by direct train from Paris Saint-Lazare in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Your hotel is a 15-minute walk from the station. Free public parking is available if you are travelling by car. On your return journey from Honfleur, a bus, taxi or private transfer will take you to Trouville/Deauville station (train to Paris in 2 hours) or Lisieux station (train to Paris in 1 hour 30 minutes). If you need to collect your car in Bayeux, a Lisieux-Bayeux train is available in around 1 hour. A private transfer from Honfleur to Bayeux is also available on request.

The price includes 5 nights’ accommodation in a hotel with breakfasts featuring fresh, local produce, daily luggage transfer between each stage, a comprehensive road book with mapped routes, GPX tracks for the 4 days of cycling, access to the mobile navigation app and 24-hour telephone support. On a per-night basis, this works out at around €134 per person all-inclusive: accommodation, breakfast, luggage logistics, guiding and assistance. For a 6-day trip covering the D-Day beaches, Caen, Cabourg, the Pays d’Auge and Honfleur, this represents remarkable value for money.

For groups of 4 or more, a discount of €40 per person applies. If you prefer to carry your own luggage, a discount of €90 per person is available (cannot be combined with the group discount). Departures are scheduled for Mondays and Fridays (€40 surcharge for any other day). The high season runs from 1 June to 30 September (€40 surcharge). Bike hire is available at €120 (hybrid bike), €190 (electric bike) or €190 (road bike) for 4 days, with delivery to Bayeux and collection in Honfleur.

The Bayeux Tapestry Museum is currently closed for renovation work, with a reopening scheduled for October 2027. Bayeux remains, however, a fascinating town to explore on the first evening: its Gothic cathedral, its medieval historic centre spared from bombing, its lively narrow streets and its many gourmet restaurants make it the perfect destination to immerse yourself in the Normandy atmosphere.

The tour is available from March to November. May and June offer ideal conditions: magnificent light on the D-Day beaches, apple trees in bloom in the Pays d’Auge, and lively terraces in Honfleur. In summer, you can enjoy swimming in Cabourg and long evenings overlooking the Vieux Bassin in Honfleur. Autumn dresses the Pays d’Auge in spectacular colours. For a 5-night stay in charming accommodation, availability is filling up fast

The tour is available from March to November. May and June offer ideal conditions: magnificent light on the D-Day beaches, apple trees in bloom in the Pays d’Auge, and lively terraces in Honfleur. In summer, you can enjoy swimming in Cabourg and long evenings overlooking the Vieux Bassin in Honfleur. Autumn adorns the Pays d’Auge with spectacular colours. For a 5-night holiday in charming accommodation, availability fills up quickly, especially in Honfleur and Cabourg. Booking several weeks in advance is strongly recommended, particularly for the Superior Luxury package, as rooms at the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg are in high demand.

Fill in a quote request directly on the holiday page. The Normandie Rando team will contact you to tailor your tour: choice of three accommodation packages (Standard, Comfort or Superior Luxury), type of bike, departure dates, short or long routes for each day, and any optional extras (extra night in Honfleur, private transfer, etc.). You can also call 02 31 65 74 08 for a personalised consultation. The quote request is free and non-binding. It’s the first step towards experiencing Calvados in all its diversity: history, beaches, countryside, gastronomy and lifestyle, at a level of comfort that suits you.