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Home > Normandy Landmarks: D-Day Sites and Mont-Saint-Michel

Normandy Landmarks: D-Day Sites and Mont-Saint-Michel

L\'itinéraire vous permettre de visiter les plages du débarquement comme Omaha Beach 6
Cycle on quiet roads to the Mont Saint Michel A view of the coast and the beach of Granville This bike tour goes along the D-Day  landing beaches, such as Omaha beach Cycle through the city of Granville located on a cliff, creating a scenic union between land and sea This tour allows you to cycle along the D-Day beaches such as Omaha beach, Juno beach, and Gold beach Don't miss the Cathedral of Bayeux before starting your cycling tour towards Avranches

Cyclomundo offers guided and self-guided cycling trips in Normandy, click here to see the Normandy regional page.

  • Self-guided trip: Starts any day from April through October 2024
  • Starting on another weekday possible for groups (must be 4 or more at time of booking and departure) or with a supplement of 45 euros per person for 2 or 3 people.
  • 7 nights / 8 days
  • Daily mileage: From 29km (18 miles) to 73 km (45 miles, long option)
  • Starts from Bayeux and ends in Mont-Saint-Michel. Bayeux is served by trains from Paris
  • Accommodation in a guesthouse of character, 2 and 3-star properties (Opt A) or in a guesthouse of character, and 3-star properties (Opt A+)
  • Level 2 (Easy)
L'itinéraire vous permettre de visiter les plages du débarquement comme Omaha Beach

Normandy Landmarks: D-Day Sites and Mont-Saint-Michel

  • Level
  • PriceFrom 1,075 euros
  • DAY7 nights / 8 days

More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description

More infos BOOK NOW !

Description

Using our many years of bike touring experience, we designed this tour to include some of the world’s greatest historic landmarks. Beginning in Bayeux and finishing in the shadows of Mont-Saint Michel, this eight-day bicycle tour lets you experience all the wonders of Normandy.

Among the many highlights are the D-Day landing beaches, the military cemeteries in Colleville-sur-Mer and La Cambe, and the stunning island of Mont-Saint-Michel. We took care to include off-the-beaten-tourist-path coastal towns and historic villages, places where you’ll be sure to enjoy the region’s culinary specialties, and experience Normandy’s mythical countryside. All the rides are relatively short, making this a perfect tour for all riding levels.

Itinerary

D1Arrival in Bayeux

 

After checking into your hotel in Bayeux, you’ll meet with one of our representatives to go over your bike tour. Here you’ll receive all the insider knowledge to make you feel like a deep-rooted local. The rest of the day is yours to explore this historic town.

Like Normandy itself, the city abounds with attractions. The Bayeux Cathedral is 100% "wow" both inside and out, fully deserving of its national monument status. And the Bayeux Tapestry, dating back to 1070, is recognized as one of the world’s most significant works of art for its depiction of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest. No need to feel rushed! This is the first of two days you'll have in Bayeux.

D2Bayeux loop Short option: 28 km/17miles and 180 meters/590 ft of climbing; Long option: 62 km/39 miles, 370 meters/1,215 ft of climbing)

 

Today you’ll have two loop options around Bayeux. Regardless of your chosen route, both cover level terrain, making for a good intro pedal to find your “bike legs.” Both routes wind east through the famed Normandy countryside before doubling back along the historic D-Day BeachesArromanches-les-Bains, a small coastal village, houses the must-see D-Day Museum. Displays and movies there help visitors grasp the scope of the logistics required to bring men and equipment across the English Channel. From Arromanches, you’ll return to Bayeux.

NOTE: The longer route visits Courseulles-sur-Mer. This popular tourist destination is located on Juno Beach, another famed D-Day location, where 14,000 Canadian troops landed on June 6, 1944.

D3Bayeux - Carentan Short option: 65 km/40 miles, 380 meters/1,245 ft of climbing; Long option: 79 km/49 miles, 440 meters/1,445 ft of climbing

Another day, another decision! You’ll have a choice of two routes which access two of Normandy’s most visited war cemeteries: Colleville-sur-Mer (American) and La Cambe (German). Colleville-sur-Mer’s perch atop a bluff overlooking the English Channel provides quick access to Omaha Beach, one of D-Day’s main staging areas. While the shorter route veers inland from here, the longer ride continues along Normandy’s windswept coast, passing through Grandcamp-Maisy, a scenic fishing town. Both routes eventually merge before reaching La Cambe, the final resting area for 21,000 German soldiers. You’ll lodge at night in Carentan, a quiet port village nestled along the banks of the Douvre River.

D4Carentan - Agon-Coutainville 55 km/34 miles, 300 meters/985 ft of climbing;

 

You’ll pedal south, exiting Carentan via the Carentan Marsh. This lush, stretching lowland is home to thousands of birds and serves as the prime grazing area for the cattle responsible for producing the region’s famous Camembert cheese (feel free to thank them as you pass). Your route will wheel through Normandy’s quiet countryside, a land without hurry.

You’ll have your choice of many tiny villages to choose from for lunch. Eventually you’ll arrive in Agon-
Coutainville
, your home for the night. The Château d'Agon, built between the 17th and 18th centuries, tops the town’s list of attractions.

D5Agon-Coutainville - Granville 48 km/30 miles, 290 meters/950 ft of climbing

 

Today’s short ride follows a southern route along the shoreline into Granville. Less time in the saddle means more time for you to explore everything this magical strip of coast offers! Granville, located atop a finger of rock, juts into the gulf, creating a scenic union between land and sea. Here you can lounge on the beachshop, or hang in open air cafés uploading photos of your bike tour to your preferred social media outlet, causing endless envy among your friends and followers.

D6Granville - Avranches 50 km/31 miles, 420 meters/1,375 ft of climbing

 

Pedaling south you’ll pass through nearby Saint-Pair-sur-Mer, before winding inland to the Abbey of La Lucerne. Founded in 1143, this designated historic monument has been the focus of many restoration projects, elevating it to must-see status. From here you’ll bend southwest into Saint-Jean-le-Thomas, where you’ll enjoy your first, though distant, views of Mont-Saint-Michel. You’ll then negotiate a series of rolling hills before reaching Avranches.

Situated along the southern rim of the Bay of Saint-Michel, this ancient village offers plenty of attractions. Notre-Dame-des-Champs towers as a monument to Gothic architecture. Patton Square commemorates the town’s significance in World War II. And Avranches’ botanical garden provides several five-star photo opportunities of the bay overlooking Mont-Saint-Michel.

D7Avranches - Pontorson Short option: 37 km/23 miles, 90 meters/295 ft of climbing; Long option: 64 km/40 miles, 360 meters/1,180 ft of climbing

 

Avranches’ close location to Mont-Saint-Michel will allow you, if you so choose, to get an early jump on the crowds. Plan accordingly, for all private vehicles — including bicycles — have been banned from Mont-Saint-Michel. You must park and lock your bikes two kilometers outside the monastery, and then either walk or board a shuttle bus. Regardless, you won’t be disappointed!

There’s a good reason why it ranks #1 on the list of most visited attractions in France. Plus, it’s one of the few attractions that meets and exceeds the hype. Built in the 8th century atop a rocky tidal island, Mont-Saint-Michel rises out of the bay like a giant wedding cake in an architectural style that can only be described as mind-blowing. Take time to visit the Abbey and be sure to stroll along the top of the eastern wall, which affords high-five views of the bay as well the tiny village sequestered inside the monastery. Onsite dining options are available. You’ll lodge at night at a charming hotel in Pontorson just a five minute walk from the train station. 

D8Departure

 

Following breakfast at the hotel, you’ll depart on your own time schedule.
There is a shuttle bus service from Mont-Saint-Michel to Pontorson train station.

 

 

Booking & Prices

  • Option A
  • 3 nights in 2-star properties, 3 nights in 3-star properties and 1 night in a guesthouse of character

  • 1,075 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 320 euros
  • 1,125 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 330 euros
  • 1,165 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 340 euros
  • Option A+
  • 6 nights in 3-star properties and 1 night in a guesthouse of character 

  • 1,270 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 370 euros
  • 1,340 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 380 euros
  • 1,385 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 390 euros

These prices include:

  • 7 nights' accommodation as described above (ask us for extension prices)
  • Daily breakfast
  • 1 dinner (drinks are not included)
  • Meeting with our local representative
  • Luggage transfers
  • Roadbook provided as an app (when using it as a GPS, no data plan is necessary)
  • Tourist information (provided as part of the app)
  • Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep's mobile number)
  • All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • Bicycle rentals. Hybrid bikes are available at the rate of 150 euros per bike. E-bikes are available at the rate of 270 euros per bike. Road bikes are available at the rate of 235 euros per bikes (these prices include the drop-off fees).

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