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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!
Arrival to Caen from Paris St. Lazare station by train. Departure from Rouen; trains are direct from Rouen to Paris St. Lazare station.
Not Included:
Included Deluxe Hotels: superior rooms requested
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.
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.
Need to Know:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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:
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.
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.
Our trip was the Normandy/Impressionist self guided bicycle trip. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip.
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.
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.
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.