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Self guided bike tour in Normandy: Normandy is well-known historically for its role in aiding the Allied Forces during World War II, but that is just one part of what makes Normandy a must-visit for any vacationer. For cyclists, Normandy provides sweeping, hilly views of the Atlantic and crisp ocean air that hits your face as you cycle through the quaint locales. Pure Adventures Tours offers this 6-night, self guided cycling tour of the part of France famous for coastline, woods, and tasty Camembert cheese. Unique to this part of France is its growth of apples – something that helps it produce crisp apple cider and hard apple whiskey! Avid cyclists will delight in the experiences that take them through culinary and countryside marvels all while they end at famous Mont Saint-Michel. This self-guided cycling tour takes care of your lodging, tour routes, and allows you to enjoy your cycling holiday like a local without having to do your own research.
Arrival to Bayeux, 2 hours from Paris St Lazare by train. Departure from Pontorson or St Malo to Montparnasse station in Paris.
Not Included:
Included Deluxe Hotels: Superior rooms requested, sea view when possible.
About: Superior quality lodging in primarily 4-star hotels, with one special 3-star hotel. All lodging includes a private bathroom and a variety of other amenities.
Upgrades: There is the option to upgrade to Villa Lara Hotel ***** in Bayeux and/or L’Ermitage ***** on the last night in MSM. Upgrade pricing is on request.
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:
Arriving today in the afternoon allows you to check-in and visit the town of Bayeux before your orientation and welcome meeting at 5pm. There is much to see and do in Bayeux! Check out our Destination Guide for details but among the highlights, are the cathedral and the famous tapestry. Since Bayeux became the Allied headquarters soon after the landing, Bayeux was not bombed and is extremely well preserved.
Note: for parties of less than 4, this trip must start on Saturday or Monday. Other start days are possible with a supplement.
Meals: on own
Highlights: Bayeux tapestry & exploration, welcome orientation
Overnight: Bayeux
A warm-up day and lots to see! You cycle east towards Courseulles and Juno Beach. After a stop at the peaceful Canadian cemetery, you ride westwards along the coast (Gold beach) in order to visit Arromaches with its remarkable artificial harbor (Mulberry) and the German battery of Longuessur-Mer before returning to Bayeux following the pretty Aure valley. The longer option takes you to Pegasus Bridge to start!
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 52 or 88 km / 32 or 39 miles, Long ride: +/-516 meters, Short ride: +/- 356 meters
Highlights: coastal riding, Juno Beach, Gold Beach, German battery, Aure valley
Overnight: Bayeux
This morning you ride through beautiful countryside to Omaha beach and the very emotional American War Cemetery. Then you can carry on to the pointe du Hoc, Grandcamp and the German Cemetery of la Cambe for the longer ride or head south through the Marsh towards Saint-Lô. The city of Saint-Lô was probably the most heavily bombed and fought for during the Battle of Normandy. It took almost 3 weeks to American soldiers to clear the area from the coast to Saint-Lô. The ride goes through a mixture of “Bocage” and wood land. You will have the opportunity to visit the great Chateau of Balleroy half-way down the road.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 50, 64 or 95 km /32, 40 or 59 miles
Highlights: country riding, Omaha Beach, cemeteries & historical stops
Overnight: Mercure Saint-Lô
Today is probably the most demanding stage! After following the Vire River you ride through the Bocage Normand; the term Bocage means a type of landscape with some unique element of vegetation. It is hilly and fields are separated with natural hedges. This bocage was a bit of a nightmare for the allies as it made their progression difficult; the hedgerows especially. Apart from that aspect it is a very picturesque countryside with grazing cows, apple orchards, isolated farms and loads of little creeks. You won’t see any tourists on this stage but a few authentic villages, where it will be nice to stop for a drink or a snack. You hit the coast at 15 km north of Granville and along this coast you will see the ‘sea farmers’ at work!
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 64 km / 40 miles, +/- 475 meters
Highlights: Bocage Normand, picturesque countryside & villages
Overnight: Granville
Today, our route takes you inland through rolling hills to the well preserved Abbey of La Lucerne. As the main road leaves the coast further south, you cycle west until you discover the bay around Saint-Jean-le-Thomas. You follow it to the south headland of Grouin, before finishing up to Avranches and its historical part of town.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Distance: 51 or 62 km / 32 or 39 miles, +461 meters / – 362 meters
Highlights: Abbey of La Lucerne, Saint-Jean-le-Thomas, Grouin, historical Avranches
Overnight: Avranches
Today is dedicated to the visit of the Mont-Saint-Michel, the Abbey and the bay in which it stands! You start with a great downhill from Avranches to the Mont-Saint-Michel bay and its Abbey. On the way, you cycle through quaint country side, see herds of sheep on the reclaimed land and pass by the German war memorial of Huisnes-sur-Mer. Once at the Mont-St-Michel, you can leave your bike at the bike parking area and go on with the visit. You need a minimum of 3 hours to visit the Mont-St-Michel “town island” and its abbey on foot. In the evening you will have the whole place lit up for your viewing pleasure!
Note: we have lodging recommendations tonight for a more authentic and peaceful experience – ask us!
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 38 or 57 km / 24 or 35 miles, Long route: 57km +412 meters / – 510 meters
Highlights: countryside riding, Mont-Saint-Michel, Abbey, bay and war memorial
Overnight: Mont St Michel or nearby Pontorson
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure is on your own. We hope you enjoyed cycling through beautiful Normandy!
Meals: breakfast
Dates: For parties of less than 4, this trip must start on any Saturday or Monday. Other start days are possible with a 40€ per person supplement. D-Day (June 6) and adjacent dates impact hotel availability; please plan well in advance.
2024 Tour Rates: (based on double occupancy)
Hybrid Sport Bike Rental: 216 euros
E-bike Rental: 312 euros
*Road Bike Rental: 312 euros
*Gravel Bike Rental: 312 euros
*These bike and child bikes have limited availability – ask for info prior to booking!
Bike Rental Details Page
About:
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.
Highly recommend this Normandy bike tour with Pure Adventures. We have taken 3 bike trips with them now and this was one of our favorites. We loved this historical stop, food, cheese especially and wine! Mount Sant Michelle was a highlight. Great trip!
My wife and I had always wanted to cycle through Normandy and we were worried about not having a guided tour, but this trip ticked all of the boxes. Our concerns were not needed seeing as we were given a most wonderful and thorough welcome and overview at our “trip briefing.” Hotels were good and we enjoyed the upgrade in Bayeux. We had some rain a few days, but otherwise we had perfect cycling weather. C’est la vie! Food and wine in this area will satisfy the most discerning food critic!
As self-proclaimed “history buffs” we were skeptical if this bike tour would be satisfactory, but it easily exceeded our expectations. We were able to visit all of the historical stops and sites we had hoped to see, and doing this from the seat of a bike is the way to go! The self guided touring format was a good fit for us and if you are able to navigate and enjoy not being with a large group, you will also enjoy the tour. One of our hotels was a little noisy due to some D-day celebrations taking place near by. Other than that, we were pleased and happy with the tour.
Brian and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience on this Pure Adventure tour. This was our third bike tour with them and we will be back for a fourth! The hotels were easy to get to and we enjoyed the route. MSM is very crowded but that is the price to pay for ticking that box.
We did a custom family bike tour of Normandy with our 2 boys aged 8 and 10. Our Pure Adventures guide was a wonderful guide. His in depth knowledge of the area, the history, the food enriched our experience. The kids loved spending time with him and hearing his funny stories. The tour was well organized. The parents were able to bike to the next destination. The children joined us for 20-30km and then did a tour with our same guide. Everyone was happy and had stories to tell when we all met for dinner. Normandy is an ideal location for a family bike tour.