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  • France - Normandy Impressionists self-guided Bicycle Tour
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Call toll-free from the United States or Canada:

1.800.960.2221

International calls:

(001) 970-230-5896

info@pure-adventures.com

France – Normandy Impressionists Bike Tour

(5 Reviews)

Private self guided Normandy bike tour: Welcome to the ‘other’ Normandy!  More famous for its coastline, coastal towns, abbeys, cathedrals, and of course the birthplace of Impressionism!   Between Caen & Rouen there is a great variety of landscape and architecture. From the coast of Calvados to the meanders of the Seine River Valley, you will stay in pretty, charming towns and villages, see old Norman Abbeys, visit great museums, and taste the best local cheeses, cider and Calvados you have ever tasted! On this tour, you will cycle into the heart of a gastronomic territory between the 2 historic capital cities of Normandy: Caen & Rouen.  If you wanted to truly say you went off the main tourist trail, you will mostly do that here! Therefore, this is a great trip at a great price!

Get your adventure!   
1. Call or email with questions: +1-970-230-5896 or email us. 
2. Book the trip, pay a deposit, get excited for your adventure!
Book This Tour

Arrival & Departure Locations

Arrival to Caen from Paris St. Lazare station by train. Departure from Rouen; trains are direct from Rouen to Paris St. Lazare station.

Price Includes

  • 5 nights in very charming lodging, 3, 4, or 5 stars with upgrades
  • Daily buffet breakfast
  • Private welcome orientation
  • Luggage transfers daily
  • Detailed Road Book, including details maps, tourist information
  • GPX routes and a step-by-step itinerary and cue sheets
  • Technical and emergency support by phone all day long throughout your trip
  • List of gastronomic gourmet restaurants along the route

Not Included: 

Lodging

Included Deluxe Hotels: superior rooms requested

  • Caen: BW Hotel le Dauphin **** (1 night)
  • Cabourg: Le Grand Hotel de Cabourg ***** (1 night)
  • Honfleur: Les Maison de Lea **** (1 night)
  • Bec Helloin: Les chambres de la Tour Guest House (1 night)
  • Rouen: Gustave Flaubert **** (1 night)

About: Deluxe hotels in each area of the region and in close proximity to the must-see sites! All lodging includes a private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Option to upgrade on the last night in Rouen at Hotel de Bourtheroulde *****; please inquire about rates at the time of booking.

Optional Add-Ons

Guides & Local Support

Patrick, our local rep, will get you started on your self guided bike tour in Burgundy.
Local Expert:
Patrick, who lives in Normandy, has a real feel for our travelers’ expectations when it comes to exploring uncharted territory and he possesses a definite flair for finding a region’s hidden treasures. Our local guides and experts are available by phone to assist during your trip with any kind of emergency, breakdown (except flats), and if due to weather or other reason you need to arrange a transfer. 

Tour Highlights
  • Famous historical sites and villages
  • Rolling hills, Norman spotted cows, postcard landscapes 
  • Culinary specialties of the region: crepes, camembert, calvados & cider
  • Gastronomic gourmet dining options most nights
  • Honfleur – Impressionist town of Monet and his mentor
  • Rouen – amazing city of art and architecture
  • Abbeys of Normandie

Need to Know: 

  • The terrain is rolling meadows and coastline, with occasional short but steep climbs and coastal winds.
  • Bookings around June 6th dates are hard to book because of D-Day celebrations, and access to sites may be limited due to media coverage.
  • High Season Supplement applies May-September; see Rates section. 
  • This trip can start any day of the week.
  • You will want to bring your own cell phone handlebar mount, as navigation is done through your own cell phone.
  • Travel Insurance is required on all Pure Adventures tours.
Photos
Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Caen, Welcome Meeting

Caen is one of those Norman cities that suffered damages during the war but didn’t look back, and now fuses the modern with the historical. Before the Norman Conquest of England it was the home city of William and Matilda, and both are buried here in noble Romanesque abbeys. Take some time to visit the town: the Chateau, L’Abbaye aux Dames, l’Abbaye aux Hommes, Musée des Beaux Arts… If you have an extra night in Caen, you can visit the famous WW2 Memorial and go for a private tour to discover the Landing beaches. Your hotel is in the center of Caen and it has the best restaurant in Caen!

Overnight: Caen
Meals: on own

Day 2Caen to Cabourg: 27 or 54 km / 17 or 34 mi

This morning, an early start out of Caen might be helpful before you begin your way along the Orne canal from Caen to the sea where you get to the famous Pegasus Bridge. This is the site of the landing target of the British parachutes and the beginning of the longest day! Past Ranville, the first liberated town in France you head to the coast and the last site of D-Day; the Merville battery! A short stroll along sandy beaches brings you to Cabourg. When you are hungry for dinner, we will be sure to provide tips – we have many favorites here! Maybe some crepes and cider?

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 27 or 54 km / 17 or 34 mi
Highlights: Orne canal riding, Pegasus Bridge, Merville battery, beaches
Overnight: Cabourg

Day 3Cabourg to Honfleur: 45 km / 28 mi

Today’s ride is through some of the prettiest Normandy scenery; you will feel like you’re in a post card! Rolling hills, apple orchards and the famous Normandy spotted cows. Through Cabourg and Houlgate, you can admire some of the greatest Anglo-Norman architecture before riding inland to the typical village of Beaumont-en-Auge with its half-timbered houses. From there you can choose how you want to get to Honfleur, through the coast from Deauville and its Parisian feel or through the cool forest of St Gatien. We recommend the Deauville version if you want to see a favorite Parisien getaway and have a sit down lunch. Late, when you arrive in Honfleur, you will find your hotel is around the old Harbor, a wonderful setting for you last night. Honfleur is a gem and is brimming with art and history. It sits on the south bank of the estuary of the Seine River, and was a strategic port before becoming an important trading harbour in the XVIth century. During the XVIIth century, Honfleur was the starting point for many navigators for the new world: Brazil, New-land, Quebec. From that very rich past, it is amazing as almost everything is preserved: churches, old port, bell-tower, ware-houses, 4-500 year old buildings, cobblestone streets far too small for cars! All of these things are treasures and the impressionist painters of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s brought this all to life on canvas. Enjoy a last night out or add on another night in this fascinating town.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 45 km / 28 mi
Highlights: coastal & forest riding, Anglo-Norman architecture, Honfleur
Overnight: Honfleur

Day 4Honfleur to Bec-Hellouin: 51 km / 32 mi

Follow the Seine Estuary to the east and get to an area known for its houses with thatched roofs. Your longer ride option takes you into the natural area of the “Vernier Marsh”. You progress inland on a quiet country road along the Risle River until the pretty town of Pont d’Audemer, where a break is well worth it. Not just for lunch but also to discover the architecture and the numerous little canals. Then you continue along the Risle valley before you reach the old village of Le Bec Hellouin and its well-maintained XII century abbey. Open to the public with “free entrance”, it is still run by monks. This is an opportunity to visit one of the great Abbeys in Normandy

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 51 km / 32 mi
Highlights: Pont d’Audemer, architecture & canals, church abbey
Overnight: Bec-Hellouin

Day 5Bec-Hellouin to Rouen: 51 km / 32 mi

This last ride can be short enough to allow you time to visit Rouen in the afternoon. The morning”s ride is a mixture of rich farming lands and woods, that takes you to the market town of Bourg-Achard. A longer option would have first taken you to the old chateau of Harcourt. From Bourg-Achard, a 4 km downhill takes you to the Seine River bed and the little town of la Bouille, from where you will cross the large and famous Seine River on one the barges. There is a free shuttle crossing service run by the local community. You then approach the big city of Rouen on a very quiet road following the north side of the Seine River. Your hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the city.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 51 km / 32 mi
Highlights: scenic riding, la Bouille, Rouen
Overnight: Rouen

Day 6Departure Day

Your trip concludes in Rouen, after breakfast. Please let us know in advance if you would like to book additional nights in the area, or if you would like to add on another Pure Adventures tour!

Meals: breakfast

Map
Normandy Bike Tour
Dates & Rates

Dates: Plan your trip at a time that best fits your schedule! Pure Adventures tours have flexible start dates.

2024 Tour Rates: (based on double occupancy)

  • 2 persons:  1672 euros/person
  • 4 persons:  1573 euros/person
  • High Season Supplement:  77 euros/person (June-August)
  • Single Supplement:  688 euros/person (applies when 2 or more traveling but in separate single-use rooms)
  • Solo Supplement:  ask us for rates

Hybrid Bike Rental:  189 euros
Road Bike Rental*:  275 euros
E-bike Rental:  275 euros
Gravel Bike Rental*:  275 euros
Bike Rental Details Page

*Road, gravel, and child bikes have limited availability – please inquire prior to booking

Important Notes:

  • High Season Supplement applies May-September.
  • New! Travel Insurance is now required to participate in this tour. You can book through our preferred vendors or your own. Proof of coverage will be required.

Booking Terms:  In addition to our posted cancel Terms and Conditions, our local vendors on this trip have the following:  35 euros change fee for any modification after confirmation, 10% of the total trip cost is non-refundable from time of confirmation, 20% of total non-refundable at 60 days to 30 days; then as much as 100% non-refundable at 15 days prior to travel. 

How do our tours compare to similar trips? You Get MoreIf you compare price, we are much less than guided trips with similar experiences. In our private, independent format, you get much more than what most traditional self guided tours offer, plus it’s a better experience! Our team has gone to great lengths to build and create exceptional tours all over the world, vacations that will give you lifelong memories. From the accommodations to the bikes, to the routes themselves, we hold each component of our tours to a very high standard. We are dedicated to empowering people through travel!
 
Next steps:
1. Call or email with questions: +1-970-230-5896 or email us. 
2. Book the trip, pay a deposit, get excited for your adventure!
Book This Tour
5 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Steve Capser

Couple Traveller

Sylvie and I returned from our European trip on Thursday. The Normandy Impressionists cycling trip was outstanding! We really had a great time. The daily rides were very nice, with great scenery. We enjoyed each town, especially Le Bec Hellouin. It was the smallest, quietest, and most picturesque town of all. All of the Hotels/Inns were nice. The partner bike company took good care of us. The bikes were decent and they were available for answering questions. Except for a little rain on day 1 all went very well. We look forward to our next trip with Pure Adventures.
Where will that be????……hmmmmmm.

July 5, 2022

jerry brown

Couple Traveller

Our trip was the Normandy/Impressionist self guided bicycle trip. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip.

September 25, 2017

Jim Bell

Couple Traveller

Our Pure Adventures trip was all I expected and more! Singrid (CC), our local Pure Adventures guide, was awesome. She was knowledgeable, capable and very helpful. The trip was well planned and the accommodations were good to excellent.

June 28, 2016

Tom Flournoy

Couple Traveller

This trip far exceeded my expectations. The main reason was the additional service we had in a guide and van. Our Pure Adventures guide was exceptional. Rental bikes were fine, hotels were generally quite nice. Well located.

June 26, 2016

Bruce Brumberg

Couple Traveller

Highly enjoyable trip in Normandy for 9 days in early-to-mid July 2015. Saw more cows with much smaller hills (and softer cheese) than our biking in Vermont. Tour has good variety with WWII history, medieval castles, rural farmland, and forests. We liked the flexibility with a self-guided tour in when we start each day and where we stop.

August 3, 2015