In the heart of Normandy

Not at all. This tour is classified as ‘leisurely’, the most accessible level in the Normandie Rando catalogue. The daily stages range from 30 to 55 km, covering cycle paths, quiet back roads and a few hilly sections in the Pays d’Auge – nothing too demanding. Day 2 even offers a choice between a short 30 km route (ideal for exploring Beuvron-en-Auge) and a longer 55 km route to Cabourg and its beach. If you can cycle for 2 to 3 hours at your own pace with breaks, this tour is for you. Electric bikes (€190 for 4 days) are also available to make light work of the few climbs in the Pays d’Auge without sacrificing the fun.

Day 1: arrival in Caen, the ancient city of William the Conqueror, with a self-guided tour of the medieval castle, the Abbaye aux Hommes and Abbaye aux Dames, the Vaugueux district and the Memorial.
Day 2: the Orne Canal then Pegasus Bridge, entering the Pays d’Auge with its orchards, stud farms and cider farms, and arrival in Beuvron-en-Auge, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, or, on the longer route, the seaside resort of Cabourg and its 4 km of fine sandy beach.
Day 3: a journey through the heart of the Pays d’Auge via Beaumont and its gourmet restaurants, then arrival in Honfleur, an Impressionist gem with its Vieux Bassin and art galleries.
Day 4: the inland countryside via Pont-Audemer, the wild Risle valley and arrival at Le Bec-Hellouin, an enchanting village dominated by its 11th-century Benedictine abbey.
Day 5: narrow country lanes, crossing the Seine on a barge at La Bouille, then the cycle path along the river to Rouen, with its half-timbered houses, its cathedral painted by Monet and its Gros-Horloge. Five days, five completely different worlds.

Both trips pass through Honfleur and Rouen, but the route and experience are reversed and very different. “The Seine by Bike” starts in Rouen and follows the river down to Honfleur and then Deauville; it is a river and estuary route. “From One Capital to Another” starts in Caen and crosses the Pays d’Auge, the Côte Fleurie, Honfleur, then the Risle Valley and Le Bec-Hellouin before reaching Rouen. This route offers a much deeper immersion in the Normandy countryside—with its hedgerows, orchards, cider farms and listed villages—before rejoining the Seine at the end of the journey. It’s a choice between a river experience (Seine à vélo) and a complete crossing of inland Normandy (D’une capitale à l’autre).

Yes. If you opt for the long route on Day 2 (55 km), you’ll arrive in Cabourg, a Belle Époque seaside resort with 4 km of fine sandy beach. It’s the perfect opportunity for a proper seaside break at the start of your trip; as the stages are short, you’ll have the whole afternoon to enjoy the beach. Even if you choose the short route via Beuvron-en-Auge, the coast is only a few kilometres away. And in Honfleur on Day 3, the proximity of the sea and the beaches of the estuary extends this maritime theme.

This route takes you through the gastronomic heartland of Normandy. In the Pays d’Auge (Day 2), you’ll cycle past apple orchards, cider farms and cheese dairies – this is the land of Camembert, Pont-l’Évêque, cider and Calvados. In Beaumont-en-Auge (Day 3), a stop is a must to sample the local andouillette and cheese, washed down with cider. Honfleur is brimming with seafood restaurants and fine dining establishments overlooking the Vieux Bassin. In Le Bec-Hellouin (Day 4), the village atmosphere and local produce invite you to enjoy a leisurely tasting. And Rouen (Day 5) rounds off the trip with its narrow streets full of restaurants and shops selling Norman specialities. Every stop is a culinary delight.

It is one of the most memorable surprises of the trip. Le Bec-Hellouin is a tiny village of half-timbered houses nestled in the Risle valley, dominated by a Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century where a community of monks still lives today. The abbey gardens can be explored in a soothing silence. The village itself is listed among the most beautiful in France. You’ll stay in a charming guesthouse, L’Atelier de Tess, in an atmosphere that feels completely timeless. This is the stop that many travellers hadn’t heard of before setting off, yet cite as their favourite moment upon returning.

On Day 5, you board the La Bouille ferry with your bike to cross the Seine. It’s a short crossing, just a few minutes, but it’s a special moment: you glide along the river, facing the chalk cliffs and the villages along the Seine, with your bike beside you. No booking is required; simply turn up at the landing stage. This crossing symbolically marks the transition from the Normandy countryside to the Seine Valley and the arrival in Rouen. It’s a memory travellers cherish.

You carry nothing and you never get lost. Normandie Rando transfers your luggage from accommodation to accommodation every day; you’ll find it in your room in the evening. You’ll have a comprehensive route book with mapped routes, GPX tracks and a mobile navigation app. A helpline is available 24/7 should you need assistance. Every hire bike comes with a helmet, a full repair kit, lights and a lock. You set off light every morning; your only decision is where to stop for a cider or a photo.

Both cities are well connected to Paris. Paris Saint-Lazare → Caen by direct train in 2 hours. Your hotel in Caen is a 30-minute walk from the station (or a taxi ride of around €20). On the return journey, Rouen → Paris Saint-Lazare takes 1 hour 40 minutes; Rouen station is a 15-minute walk from your hotel. If you’re travelling by car, free park-and-ride facilities are available on the outskirts of Caen. To collect your vehicle, a Rouen-Caen train will take you back in 1 hour 45 minutes. A private transfer is also available on request.

The price includes 5 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, daily luggage transfer between each stage, a comprehensive route book with mapped itineraries, GPX tracks for the 4 stages, access to the mobile navigation app and 24-hour telephone support. On a per-night basis, this works out at €146 per person, all-inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, luggage logistics, guiding and assistance. For a 6-day trip linking the two historic capitals of Normandy via the Pays d’Auge and Honfleur, with fully managed logistics, this represents excellent value for money.

The Standard package offers family-run 2- or 3-star hotels and a charming guesthouse: the Hôtel Les Quatrans in Caen, the Villa Les Mots Passants in Cabourg, the Hôtel du Dauphin in Honfleur, L’Atelier de Tess in Bec-Hellouin, and the Hôtel Le Vieux Carré in Rouen. The Comfort package enhances the experience with 3- and 4-star establishments: the Hôtel du Dauphin in Caen with dinner included on the first evening, the Mercure and its swimming pool in Cabourg, the Hôtel Le Cheval Blanc in Honfleur, and the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert in Rouen. The €245 difference is spread over 5 nights, amounting to approximately €49 more per night for a significantly higher level of comfort and character. On a ‘leisurely’ holiday focused on enjoyment and the art of living, the Comfort package naturally enhances the experience.

For groups of four or more, a discount of €30 per person applies. If you prefer to carry your own luggage, a discount of €140 per person is available (cannot be combined with the group discount). Departures are scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays (€40 surcharge for any other day). The high season runs from 1 June to 30 September with a €40 surcharge per person.

The tour is available from April to November. Spring (April–May) brings apple blossoms in the Pays d’Auge, a striking sight when cycling. Summer allows you to enjoy the beach at Cabourg and the terraces of Honfleur. Autumn (September–October) adorns the Risle and Seine valleys with spectacular colours. As the stages are gentle and the route is classified as ‘leisurely’, this tour is suitable for all seasons. As the charming accommodation options, particularly in Bec-Hellouin and Honfleur, have a limited number of rooms, booking in advance is recommended, especially between May and September.

Fill in a quote request directly on the holiday page. The Normandie Rando team will get back to you to personalise your tour: choice of accommodation package, type of bike (hybrid bike at €140, e-bike at €190 or gravel bike at €190 for 4 days), departure dates, short or long route on Day 2 and any additional options (extra night in Rouen, private transfer, etc.). You can also call us directly on 02 31 65 74 08 for a personalised consultation. The quote request is free and non-binding; it’s the first step towards discovering Normandy from one capital city to the next.