From Bayeux to Honfleur via the Côte de Nacre and the Côte Fleurie

8 days cycling in Normandy along the sea

Highlights

Bayeux and its famous tapestry
The landing beaches
The Côte de Nacre and the Côte Fleurie
The charming towns of Cabourg, Deauville and Honfleur
The orchards and half-timbered houses of the Pays d'Auge

Normandy by bike from the landing beaches to the Pays d'Auge

This cycle route takes you on a discovery of historic Normandy, impressionist, natural and gourmet, on small roads and greenways equipped for all. A safe cycle-tourist route that leads you between land and sea, through Calvados, its coastline and its orchards.

This cycling route from Bayeux takes you to discover the main landing beaches along the Côte de Nacre. Under the allied flags still waving everywhere, discover a region forever marked by the events of June 6, 1944. Between these places marked by history, the small country roads with bucolic landscapes take you to discover by bicycle many manors, castles and churches preserved or rebuilt after the war.

You cross the Orne by the famous Pegasus bridge to reach and ride along the Côte Fleurie, from Cabourg to Honfleur. These landscapes have inspired impressionist painters. The light and colors reflected and held by the beaches, cliffs and charming seaside resorts, much in demand, such as Villers-sur-mer, Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer, are unique. The long sandy beaches, ideal for lazing around, also delight lovers of invigorating walks. The numerous villas of the end of the XIXth century which are scattered along the Côte Fleurie are a great testimony of the vogue of sea bathing. It is particularly in Houlgate that you can admire a large number of villas of this period .

You will also cross a natural and gourmet Normandy, through the hilly meadows of the Pays d’Auge, to meet its multiple farms and half-timbered manors. Full of charm, these half-timbered buildings constitute a wonderful heritage to discover. The Pays d’Auge is also famous for its local products. Cider, calvados, cheeses, such as camembert, pont-évêque and livarot, are the joy of food lovers.

Carte De Bayeux à Honfleur par la Côte de Nacre et la Côte Fleurie
Niveau LeisureLeisure or Niveau FitFit
Day 1

BAYEUX

Arrive at your convenience during the day. Meet with our local guide in Bayeux who gives you your travel documents and gps. He can answer all your questions and reveal all the secrets of the region to you.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

Day 2

BAYEUX, BOUCLE DE OMAHA BEACH 61km 463m Niveau Loisir

Leaving the city of Bayeux, you ride on small bike routes in the peaceful countryside of Normandy. This route has not always been so quiet since it was used by the Canadian army during the D DAY landing. You join the American Cemetery Colleville, impressive for its beauty and unfortunately its quantity of graves. You have the opportunity to visit the overlord museum before joining the beach of Omaha Beach and its famous monument in tribute to the troops landed here. On your way back to Bayeux, you go to Port en Bessin, a charming fishing village still in activity.

  • For a few more km 80km 569m Niveau Forme
Day 3

From BAYEUX to COURSEULLES-SUR-MER 31km 205m Niveau Facile

Departing from Bayeux, you ride towards Arromanches, an artificial ally harbor from the Second World War. Take the time to visit Arromanches 360, a film projected on 9 screens that narrates, thanks to archive images from around the world, the entire terrible Battle of Normandy. Then it is along the coast that you reach Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Day 4

From COURSEULLES-SUR-MER to HOULGATE, via Pegasus Bridge et Cabourg 45km 131m Niveau Loisir

You leave Courseulles-sur-mer along the coast to Ouistreham – Riva Bella. You can explore its harbor, embellished with leisure and fishing boats. Then, you leave the Côte de Nacre and continue towards Pegasus bridge (Pont de Ranville) where it is highly recommended to visit the museum on the landing of English gliders. It is then by the small roads that you reach Cabourg, a charming town where the writer Marcel Proust used to stay, with its Belle Epoque villas of with exceptional architecture. You take your first pedal strokes along the Côte Fleurie to Houlgate.

Day 5

From HOULGATE to TROUVILLE SUR MER, via Beaumont en Auge et Pont-l'évêque 55km 366m Niveau Loisir

You leave the coast to ride on the small country roads of the Pays d’Auge, dotted with apple trees and rolling meadows. On your way, you cross Beaumont-en-Auge, a small village with picturesque architecture. You continue your bike trip through bucolic landscapes, perfect for reconnecting with nature. Before reaching Trouville-sur-Mer, a stop at Pont-l’Évêque is essential. Charming village with colorful half-timbered houses, its rich and varied heritage promises to amaze you.

Day 6

From TROUVILLE SUR MER to HONFLEUR 49km 358m Niveau Forme

A beautiful green way leads you to the charming port of Honfleur. You can enjoy paintings in the Eugène Boudin museum, Sainte Catherine church the biggest wooden church in France, the Marine Museum for Honfleur history, or immerse yourself in the world of the musician Erik Satie.

Day 7

HONFLEUR

End of your stay after breakfast. Have a safe journey home!

Essential Range

You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.

Accommodation example
Hôtel Le Saint-Patrice Chambre hôte Réglisse Pains épice HONFLEUR

Starting from 875€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Comfort Range

Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
Hôtel Reine Mathilde Façade de l'hôtel Chambre hôte Réglisse Pains épice HONFLEUR

Starting from 1080€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Privilege Range

Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.

Accommodation example
Hôtel Reine Mathilde façade de Hôtel Restaurant la Maison d’Emilie - Houlgate Façade du Best Western Hostellerie du Vallon à Trouville-Sur-Mer Hôtel Restaurant Les Maisons de Léa

Starting from 1360€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

Price includes

  • Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
  • 6 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer
  • Phone assistance 24/7
  • Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
  • Application fee
  • Taxes
  • The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
    • Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
    • Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
  • Additional services included:
    • Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
  • Price does not include

    • bike rental (see option)
    • Breakfast on day 1
    • Lunches
    • Dinners not included in "Price includes"
    • Drinks, visits & other personal expenses

    Homemade and fully tested itineraries
    • Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
    • Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
    • A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.

    Close assistance
    • One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
    • Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
    • A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)

    Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional

    appareil GPS TwoNav Cross

    • We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
    • A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)

     


    You can also

     

    On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
    • One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
    • Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
    • A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce

    We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.


    Trekking bike

    A layed out and dynamic position

    Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 back bag 20L (waterproof)
    • 1 front bag 4L with plastic map holder (waterproof)
    • 1 lock
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • 1 multi tools box
    • 1 pump
    • 1 bike computer
    • 1 bike water bottle
    Vélo Abicyclette Voyages

    Touring bike

    An upright and easy going position

    Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 back bag 20L (waterproof)
    • 1 front bag 4L with plastic map holder (waterproof)
    • 1 lock
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • 1 multi tools box
    • 1 pump
    • 1 bike computer
    • 1 bike water bottle
    Vélo Rando Abicyclette Voyages

    Ebike

    With an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy!

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 back bag 20L (waterproof)
    • 1 front bag 4L with plastic map holder (waterproof)
    • 1 lock
    • 1 repair kit (patches, tube, tire lever)
    • 1 multi tools box
    • 1 pump
    • 1 bike computer
    • 1 bike water bottle
    EBIKE VELO DE VILLE

    Children Bike

    Recommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :

    • 16 inches from 105cm to 120cm (or 6 to 7 years old)
    • 20 inches from 120cm to 135cm (or 7 to 10 years old)
    • 24 inches from 135cm to 145cm (or 10 to 12 years old)
    • SPORT XS bike (adult frame) from 145cm to 155cm (from age 10)

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet
    • 1 inner tube
    • 1 bike water bottle
    Vélo enfant 24 pouces pour vacances à vélo

    Bike trailer

    Thule Chariot Cross 2
    Children’s trailers can only be rented for installation on one of our bikes.
    We do not provide this service on any other bike. There is too much risk of incompatibility and breakage.
    Por one or 2 children.
    Max child trailer load: 45kg.

    Supplied equipment per bike

    • 1 helmet (or 2 if 2 kids)
    • 1 inner tube
    • 1 bike water bottle (or 2)
    • Accessories on request: baby hammock. A padded hammock that supports baby’s sides and offers maximum stability (1 to 10 months). Use only the newborn hammock for walking.

    Getting here

    Departure city : BAYEUX

    Coming by car

    • at 2h from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 6h from LYON

    Parking*

    • Parking Tardif – BAYEUX
    • Parking Québec-Orangerie – BAYEUX

    Coming by train

    • Bayeux train station - 3h from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Caen airport

    Arrival city : HONFLEUR

    Coming by car

    • at 2h15 from PARIS
    • at 6h from BORDEAUX
    • at 6h from LYON

    Coming by train

    • Cathédrale Notre-Dame - 2h15 from Paris
    • Caen train station - 2h from Paris

    Coming by plane

    • Le Havre airport
    • Paris Charles de Gaulle airport

    *Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.

    * Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.

    How to get back to the starting point

    • By train from Trouville-Deauville to Bayeux in 1h35
    • Return by car in 1h15 to your starting point
    • Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us

    Recommended equipment

    Bike

    • Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
    • 18 to 30-speed transmission
    • 26- to 29-inch wheels
    • Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
    • Disc brakes recommended
    • 2 bottle cages
    • Bell
    • Front and rear lighting

    Clothing and equipment

    • Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
    • 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
    • Suitable cycling clothing:
      • bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
      • Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
      • Breathable windbreaker
    • Thermal or fleece jacket
    • Waterproof jacket
    • 1 pair of sunglasses
    • 1 pair of cycling shoes
    • 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
    • 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
    • 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
    • Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
      • 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
      • Padded bib (chamois)
      • High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
      • Neck warmer and cap

    Bike maintenance

    • Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
    • Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads

    Other

    • A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
    • Street clothes
    • 1 pair of evening shoes
    • Fleece jacket for the evening
    • Toiletry bag
    • Telephone and charger

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