Located less than two and a half hours from Paris, in the heart of Normandy, Calvados is a department that boasts an exceptional historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage. This walking tour, ideal for the whole family, allows you to discover the riches and iconic sites of this department, from Deauville to Beaumont en Auge!
Starting from the seaside resorts of Deauville and Trouville, renowned for their large beaches and Belle Époque villas, you will stroll through the gardens, orchards and woods of the Côte Fleurie to reach Honfleur and its famous old port, once the departure point for the New World, and now a town of artists that has inspired many of the great names of Impressionism! The last stage of this trip takes you further inland to discover the picture-postcard Normandy: the Pays d’Auge. Its thatched cottages, stud farms, cows and specialities: cider, Calvados, Pont l’Evêque cheese and Camembert! Just what you need to recharge your batteries after a good day’s walking!
This walking holiday offers you a taste of the best Normandy has to offer: sandy beaches and chic villas, charming ports and picturesque countryside, accompanied by varied and gourmet cuisine, all on trails suitable for all ages and abilities!
Deauville/Trouville and the Côte Fleurie
You begin your stay on foot in Deauville, a seaside resort built in the 19th century to welcome the Parisian bourgeoisie in search of the benefits of sea air, sea bathing and a change of scenery. Deauville is striking for its wealth of villas, its grand casino and its racecourse. For nearly 50 years, the town has also celebrated American cinema, welcoming numerous stars every September who immortalise their visit on the famous ‘planches’ (boardwalk) that line the sea.
Just opposite, on the other side of the Touques, you will discover Trouville, its fishing port, fish market and the many shops and terraces of the Rue des Bains! In the evening, Trouville is the ideal place to enjoy seafood specialities in one of the many restaurants in the town centre.
Then, along the coastline towards the Seine estuary, you will travel along the Côte Fleurie. You will pass through the villages of Villerville and Cricquebœuf and admire the gardens, orchards and sandy beaches before reaching the port of Honfleur, the second stop on your journey!
Honfleur, cradle of Impressionism
Located on the south bank of the Seine estuary, the picturesque slate-roofed houses of the port of Honfleur inspired many Impressionist artists such as Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet and Eugène Boudin. 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. As you stroll through its winding streets, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. The old buildings have lost none of their authenticity, with some dating back to the Hundred Years’ War!
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a detour to the Notre Dame de Grâce chapel, which offers a breathtaking view of Le Havre opposite and the Seine estuary.
The Pays d’Auge countryside
After a private transfer from your hotel in Honfleur to the village of Pierrefite en Auge, you will hike through fields and orchards towards one of the most beautiful villages in France, where you will spend the night: Beaumont en Auge! Perched 90 metres above sea level, this charming village with its typical half-timbered houses offers a magnificent panorama of the Touques valley and the Normandy countryside!
The next day, you will continue your discovery of the Pays d’Auge and its rolling countryside! On the programme: stud farms, orchards, and apple juice, calvados and pommeau tasting in one of the many cider estates in the area!
Honfleur: Hôtel du Dauphin***
Coming by train from Paris:
Paris Saint Lazare – Trouville/Deauville: 2 hours 10 minutes on average (direct train)
Coming by car:
Free parking at Trouville beach
Paid parking