Tours: Normandy

4-day D-Day bike tour from Bayeux to Caen

Experience the emotion of the D-Day beaches

This 4-day self-guided tour will give you an intimate insight into the rich and turbulent history of the Normandy region. Cycle the D-Day landing beaches, taking in the American sector that includes Omaha Beach and the heart-wrenching American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. The ride also takes in the British beaches Gold and Sword plus the artificial port at Arromanches, and Juno Beach – famous for the bravery of Canadian soldiers. But it's not all about D-Day – you can also visit the medieval tapestry and Gothic cathedral at Bayeux, typical fishing ports, and bocage roads. Daily mileage is between 35 and 50km. The price includes a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem equipped with a front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on request), reflective vest, toolkit, and detailed route maps and notes. Accommodation can be tailored for your preferences and budget. Electric bikes are also available.

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Bayeux & the Beaches of Normandy

Thought-provoking history, varied landscapes and tremendous cycling

Lower Normandy, a beguiling land of apple orchards, dovecotes, half-timbered farms and famous cheeses, has also played a major role in the unfolding of a rich and, at times, brutal European history. From the Norman invasion of England in 1066, exquisitely chronicled in Bayeux’s tapestry, to the D-Day landings of 1944, there is so much to reflect upon. Yet a visit to this beautiful area of northern France is about more than just looking to the past.The archetypal scenery – lush green meadows and shady valleys offering up half-hidden architectural gems – makes for perfect cycling country, and the picture-book towns and villages are a joy to explore. The delicious cuisine, featuring creamy sauces laced with cider or calvados, and fresh fish from the sea, completes a tempting picture. The price of the tour includes 6 nights' accommodation, 4 dinners, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, route notes and maps, and a high-quality bicycle (with ebikes and option).

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Bayeux and the Beaches Classic

Vintage beach resorts, D-Day beaches and beautiful countryside

The Calvados region in Normandy is rich with places to visit, from moving World War Two memorials and medieval towns to ‘Belle Époque’ beach resorts. This self-guided tour allows you to discover them all while enjoying the tranquil countryside. Pay your respects at the D-Day landing beaches, visit the stunning Bayeux Tapestry and stop off at the colourful seaside towns of Cabourg and Honfleur. Not forgetting, of course, the chance to sample the regional cuisine and indulge in a glass (or two) of famous Calvados and cider. The price of this tour includes 3- or 4-star hotel accommodation on a B&B basis, one evening meal, support from a local representative, all route maps and ride instructions, luggage transfers, bikes and panniers, and puncture repair kits.

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Biking from D-Day Beaches to Charming Fishing Harbours

Cycle from Bayeux to Honfleur along D-Day beaches via coastal villages

This bike tour leads along one of the most beautiful coasts of France. The tour starts in Bayeux, world-known for its medieval tapistery, but also at the heart of the landing beaches of WW II. From here you will discover Omaha beach, but also Arromanches and Gold beach and pay homage to the fallen soldiers at the American Cemetery overlooking the English Channel. You will ride along apple orchards, dairy farms and the beautiful coast into quaint fishing villages. The price of this tour includes bike hire, accommodation, luggage transfers and all the maps and information you need to get the most out of your trip.

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Campervan hire in France for DIY trips

Airbnb-style website for motorhome hire in France

Hiring a campervan for cycling in France provides you with your own accommodation, while also giving you the flexibility and speed to cycle in multiple regions within a quick timeframe, removing the need to take your bike on trains. Skip from one region to another, move on to a different valley in the Alps or explore a route further along the coast with ease. Goboony is an Airbnb-style website that links campervan owners all over Europe directly with people wanting to hire campervans. You can search by country – and in English – making it easy to find a van in France and to understand the rules and fineprint of van hire. You can also search for vans based on whether they have bike carriers. The website offers discounts for long-term hire – you get 5% off for a two-week hire and 10% off for a 4-week hire. Be warned that finding campervan hire in France can be like gold dust in July for the Tour de France, so make sure you book well ahead.

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From Saint-Malo to the D-Day Landing Beaches

Cycle the coast of Brittany and Normandy

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Need planning help? Use our bespoke service

Let Freewheeling France help you plan your French cycling adventures

If you want to cycle in France but you're not sure where to go or how to sort it – maybe you're strugglng to find accommodation or the right self-guided or guided ride for you – then this service is for you. It's my own bespoke service that matches your holiday wishlist to the right tour operator or accommodation option for you. This is for riders who need a little support on the road – anything and everything from accommodation advice and route planning to hiring bikes and luggage transfers. I'm working with a network of cycling specialists across France to offer you the best cycling holidays possible – and tailored just for you, your dates and your cycling ability. Hit the brown button below or see this link for details.

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On the heels of the Impressionists in Normandy

Normandy by bike, from the Côte d'Albâtre to the Pays de Caux

Always on the lookout for contrast, light and atmosphere, painters never choose an area by chance – and these places tend to also be great places for holidays, places to wind down and relax. It wasn't just a few painters who fell in love with Normandy, but an entire movement. From the grey and blue hues of the English Channel to the ever-changing skies, the white chalk cliffs of Etretat, the traditional ochre cob of the houses and their abundant flower arrangements, the Côte d'Albâtre is far more colourful than one imagines. The Impressionists had stumbled upon a never-ending source of inspiration. It's an inspiration as well for this cycling tour: a superb mix of quiet coastal backroads, interspersed with charming fishing ports and small villages, the cliffs of Etretat, but also the wonderful Fécamp and Veulettes-sur-Mer. The price of this tour includes 2 or 3 nights in guesthouses and 2* or 3* hotels in double rooms with en-suite facilities, 2 or 3 breakfasts, daily baggage transfers, a carefully designed itinerary, navigation app for smartphones, a detailed roadbook including maps (digital format) and GPS tracks. Easy and moderate options.

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