Bayeux and the Côte de Nacre
The Normandy coast by bike
Highlights
The beautiful wild coast of Normandy
The landing beaches: Omaha, Juno, Gold
The village of Port-en-Bessin
The Pointe du Hoc and its memorial
The American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer
Bayeux and its half-timbered houses
By bike, 5 days from Bayeux to the landing beaches
Along the Côte de Nacre, through the Cotentin marshland to Omaha Beach
From Bayeux, miraculously spared from the massive bombings of World War II, you ride to Port-en-Bessin and the main D-Day landing beaches. Under the allies’ flags still floating everywhere, discover a region forever marked by the events of June 1944.
Omaha beach, Juno beach, Gold beach, Sword beach, Utah Beach. They witnessed the arrival of thousands of young soldiers from the American, English, French, Polish allied forces. They hold a piece of history and all have something to tell about that day.
Stop in some of the museums you come across on the itinerary. They will help you visualize the forces in place at the time, the equipment used and geographical surface covered on the D-Day landing.
The American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer a site of emotional power and strange beauty, which pays a tribute to those who enabled the return of freedom
In Bayeux you connect to a part of medieval history which you can enjoy thanks to one of the oldest and longest tapestries in the world. It tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
This trip takes you through time, in a region with a rich of history and reputation for fine food.
From BAYEUX to PORT EN BESSIN HUPPAIN 56km 398m
You leave Bayeux onto small roads through the Norman grove. Immersed in bucolic countryside landscapes, it feels like the holidays. A few kilometers away, you reach the Canadian site of Juno Beach. Later on the day, you catch sight of the ocean. It seems to be tainted with big strange blocks of concrete. Get closer to have a better look. You are in front of Winston Harbor. The concrete blocks make the artificial port of Arromanches, which allowed the routing of men and refueling during the Allied landing of 1944. The itinerary then takes you to the charming village of Port-en-Bessin.
FROM PORT EN BESSIN, OMAHA BEACH LOOP 42km 306m
Port-en-Bessin is a charming little port. It has a soft atmosphere to it with the pleasant rhythm of fishermen and sailors entering and exit the port and everyday life in of small town. You ride along the Côte de Nacre toward Omaha Beach. You can make a halt at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. This site, full of history helps to better understand the importance of human losses and the horror of war. Yet it also testifies to an impressive strength, and a certain beauty.
- For a few more km 60km 417m
Extend your route to the Pointe du Hoc, a site steeped in history that can testify to the difficulty of the landing and the importance of human losses.
From PORT EN BESSIN HUPPAIN to BAYEUX 64km 440m
BAYEUX
End of stay after breakfast. Before you leave enjoy a visit to the Bayeux tapestry museum. It displays a major and amazingly preserved 11th century work of art, a 70 meters (230 feet) long tapestry relating the conquest of England by William the Conqueror!
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.
Starting from 585€/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.
Starting from 735€/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.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 4 nights in a Double room
- 4 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
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- 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
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- 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.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
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.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminium frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Drivetrain Shimano 11 to 30 speeds (single, double or triple crankset). Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Shimano 11 to 30 speed transmission (single, double or triple crankset depending on the model). Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Gravel BikeA versatile bike brimming with qualities: maneuverability, lightness, versatility, elegance. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and steerer tube, Shimano GRX 400 derailleur, double chainrings, 11 speeds. Hydraulics disc brakes. Luggage-rack (not in photo) Weight: 10.50 kg Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Bike trailerThule Chariot Cross 2 Supplied equipment per bike
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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 : BAYEUX
Coming by car
- at 2h from PARIS
- at 6h from BORDEAUX
- at 6h from LYON
Coming by train
- Bayeux train station - 3h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Caen 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.
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
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
Cancellation period | Fees |
From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
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.