Cycle Normandy
6 Days Starting in Bayeux, France and ending in Honfleur, France
Visiting: Bayeux, Caen, Cabourg, Honfleur
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CCN
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable cycling adventure through the picturesque Normandy region with our "Cycle Normandy" tour. Pedal through the charming Calvados countryside, explore the historic D-Day landing beaches, and visit significant sites like Pegasus Bridge and the American War Cemetery. Discover the rich history and culture of Bayeux and Honfleur, and indulge in the region's renowned cheeses, seafood, Calvados, and cider. This self-guided tour offers flexibility with various route options, comfortable accommodations in 2-3 star hotels (with upgrade options), and includes bike rental, luggage transfers, and detailed route notes. Perfect for history buffs and food lovers alike, this tour promises a blend of scenic beauty, historical depth, and culinary delights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Bayeux
Location: Bayeux
Accommodation Name: Hotel
On arrival in Bayeux make your own way to the first hotel. A must-see is the Bayeux Tapestry that tells the engrossing story of the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy in 1066. You can also visit the cathedral, and the memorial museum of Bayeux that covers the military events that immediately followed the landings of June 1944. Having escaped bombardment, it is one of the few towns in the area to retain monuments dating from the Middle Ages.
Day 2 : Loop Cycle To Omaha Beach And American War Cemetery (27-75Km/17-47Mi)
Location: Bayeux
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's cycling is dedicated to WW2 sites. There are a few options. The classic route (57km) is from Bayeux and the Commonwealth memorial, Bayeux War Cemetery, and takes you northwest to Omaha Beach and the American War Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, where you can easily spend a couple of hours. The cycling is mainly on quiet country roads with very few hills. Before returning to Bayeux, you can stop at the typical fishing village of Port-en-Bessin. A longer option takes you to 'Pointe du Hoc' near Grandcamp-Maisy. There is also a shortcut Overnight in Bayeux.
If you prefer a short loop ride (27km/17mi) or an extra night in Bayeux, you can cycle via Arromanches, the British sector (though tomorrow's route also passes this way en route to Caen).
Day 3 : Cycle Via Juno Beach And The Canadian Museum To Caen/Benouville (46, 52 Or 64Km/29, 32.5 Or 40Mi)
Location: Caen
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following the Aure valley towards the sea you reach the German battery at Longues sur Mer, the only one that still has guns. Continue and 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, a great place to enjoy a seafood lunch, and Juno Beach. Heading inland from the Canadian war cemetery of Reviers, cycle the little Mue valley to the village of Fontaine-Henry and its chateau. From here you ride eastward towards Benouville in the Orne valley. Here you'll find the famous Pegasus Bridge, the landing target of the British parachutists and where the longest day started. Overnight in Benouville or Caen, dependent on availability.
Day 4 : Follow The Orne Canal Passing By Pegasus Bridge To Cabourg (27 Or 54Km/17 Or 34Mi)
Location: Cabourg
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will cycle along the Orne canal towards the sea and the famous Pegasus Bridge. The route continues past Ranville, the first liberated town in France, then heads to the coast and the last D-Day site, the Merville battery. Your destination for the day, Cabourg, is now only a short distance away.
The longer route takes you through the marsh of the Dives River and the lovely villages of Beuvron-en-Auge and Cambremer. You'll find opportunities to sample cider and Calvados along the way.
Situated on the Dives estuary, Cabourg is a popular seaside resort known for its fine sandy beaches and the Belle-Epoque atmosphere made famous by 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 Grand Hotel.
Day 5 : Cycle To Honfleur (45Km/28Mi)
Location: Honfleur
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving the coast you enter the Pays d'Auge, known as the postcard of Normandy. After passing through the rural landscape you will reach the village of Beaumont, an ideal spot for a lunch break where you can enjoy the local delicacies: andouillette and cheese, washed down with good cider! Afterwards, ride through the large forest of Saint Gatien and eventually roll down alongside the estuary of the Seine River to arrive in Honfleur, on the southern side of the river.
Honfleur is a jewel of art and history. It welcomed and inspired the precursors of impressionist painting: Eugène Boudin, Johan Barthold Jongkind and especially Claude Monet and has preserved a number of monuments from its rich past. Overnight Honfleur.
Day 6 : Trip Concludes
Location: Honfleur
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes in Honfleur after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 nights in 2 star hotels -
5 breakfasts
Breakfast is continental style with bread, croissant, cheese, spreads, tea, coffee and juice.
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5 nights in 2-3 star hotels
Accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (upgrade to 3-4 star (comfort) hotels - supplement applies).
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27 speed hybrid bike rental
Includes panniers, repair kit, helmet, bike computer and lock (road, gravel and e-bikes also available - supplement applies).
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Information pack
Includes maps and route notes with details of cider and calvados tasting opportunities and cheese dairies en route.
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GPS tracks and navigational app
Available for use during the trip.
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Luggage Transfer
1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess.
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Visitor tax
Included in the tour package.
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Emergency hotline
Available for assistance during the trip.
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Transport to Bayeux and from Honfleur
Included in the tour package (or vice versa if booking the other direction).
What's Not Included
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Meals not listed as included
Drinks, lunches, and dinners are not included.
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Travel insurance
Mandatory and not included in the tour package.
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Transfers by taxi or public transport
If you need to skip a stage, these transfers are not included.
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E-bike, road, gravel bike
Supplement applies for these bike options.
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Guide
This is a self-guided cycling holiday.
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Solo traveler or single room supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Items of a personal nature
Not included in the tour package.
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Excess luggage
Supplement applies for excess luggage.
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GPS device rental
Supplement applies for GPS device rental.
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Hotel taxes
If applicable, these are payable directly to the hotel.
Accommodation
5 nights in 2 star hotels. On this trip you can stay in either 2-3 star hotels, or comfort category 3-4 star hotels. Please specify your requirements on booking. The price is dependent on the category of accommodation you choose.
Grading
This trip involves 4 days cycling between 28 and up to 81km / 17 and 50mi per day over undulating terrain - on many days there are shorter options. The route travels along quiet back roads with low traffic. When entering and leaving towns you will be on roads with more traffic where care needs to be taken. We recommend that you undertake some pre-trip training to ensure you get the most out of your cycle trip and are comfortable cycling in areas of medium traffic. During the cycle you need only carry your camera and water bottle etc. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn – these will be provided to you with your bike.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Transport to Bayeux and from Honfleur (or v.v if booking the other direction) is included. Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are also available.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Cycle Normandy tour?
The tour includes 5 nights in 2-3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. There is an option to upgrade to 3-4 star (comfort) hotels for an additional supplement.
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What meals are included in the Cycle Normandy tour?
The tour includes 5 continental style breakfasts with bread, croissant, cheese, spreads, tea, coffee, and juice.
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What kind of bike is provided for the Cycle Normandy tour?
A 27-speed hybrid bike with panniers, repair kit, helmet, bike computer, and lock is provided. Road, gravel, and e-bikes are also available for an additional supplement.
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Is luggage transfer included in the Cycle Normandy tour?
Yes, luggage transfer is included with a maximum of 1 piece weighing up to 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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Is the Cycle Normandy tour guided?
No, this is a self-guided cycling holiday. However, an information pack with maps and route notes, GPS tracks, and a navigational app are provided.
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What should I carry during the cycling days on the Cycle Normandy tour?
During the cycling days, you should carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Are there any safety requirements for the Cycle Normandy tour?
For safety reasons, it is mandatory to wear a cycle helmet, which will be provided with your bike.
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What happens if I need to skip a stage during the Cycle Normandy tour?
Transfers by taxi or public transport are available if you need to skip a stage.
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What is the difficulty level of the Cycle Normandy tour?
The trip involves 4 days of cycling between 28 and up to 81km per day over undulating terrain, with shorter options available on many days. The route travels along quiet back roads with low traffic, but care needs to be taken when entering and leaving towns where there is more traffic.
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Is travel insurance required for the Cycle Normandy tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.