D-Day Landing Beaches (from Bayeux)

From: € 1030

6 Days / 5 Nights
Type: Self-Guided
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Imagine Yourself…

Cycling tranquil roads past orchards, fields, and thatch-roofed houses
Discovering important, sobering historical sites from WW-II
Biking along the coastline past vestiges of an artificial harbor
Reflecting on your day’s journey over a fine, French meal

Overview

Normandy: land of cows, green pastures, soft hills, half-timbered manor houses, and apple orchards, of Calvados and Camembert. This region is also the site of important beaches from World War II. Your tour over 6 days and 5 nights starts in beautiful Bayeux, the first French town to be liberated on June 7, 1944, remarkably untouched by bombing and still rich in charm and history today.

Daily Itinerary

Wander through the narrow streets of Bayeux and admire the stately merchant houses. Visit the cathedral of Notre Dame, a jewel of Romanesque architecture. The town houses one of the most impressive Norman/Romanesque historical treasures: the Bayeux Tapestry. This long-embroidered linen cloth was stitched in the 11th century to recount the events of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy. Your bike will be waiting for you in your hotel in Bayeux.
Bike to Vierville-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach, often called ‘bloody Omaha’ as the heaviest allied losses were suffered here. At the top of the cliff the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer dominates the beach. Row upon row of headstones surrounded by emerald green grass and the ever present sea create a sense of peace and serenity. Return to Bayeux after an optional visit to the Overlord Museum.

You can extend the circuit by visiting La Pointe du Hoc cliffs [30 meters high]. Today one can still easily see traces of the damage caused to the fields by shell fire from the allied ships in the channel.

Elevation gain +1263/1558 Ft (385/475 m)
You’ll bike along the coast to Longues-sur-Mer and its’ impressive German defensive battery, then continue on towards Gold Beach. Next is Arromanches, where you can see floating in the sea some of the vestiges of the artificial harbor “The Mulberry,” conceived by Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten and built in 1943. Don’t forget to visit Arromanches 360°, a circular cinema which graphically illustrates the complete history of the Battle for Normandy. Continue your ride through the Normandy countryside, biking down little lanes between the pretty hedged fields – the “bocage”- until you reach Courseulles sur Mer, Take time to stroll around the picturesque fishing harbor. If you’re interested, you can also visit an interesting marine museum with a fine aquarium called “House of the Sea.”

elevation gain +721 Ft (220 m)
Cycle along the Normandy coast past Juno Beach and Sword Beach, riding through charming seaside villages and along wide, sandy beaches toward the harbor town of Ouistreham.

From here, you can choose to visit the No. 4 Commando Museum, which tells the story of the Franco-British landings, or continue cycling along the scenic Caen Canal to Pegasus Bridge, where British airborne forces secured a crucial victory in 1944.

The day ends in Caen, a lively city full of character. Take time to explore its picturesque marina, the impressive Ducal Castle of Normandy, and the remarkable twin abbeys, Abbaye-aux-Hommes and Abbaye-aux-Dames, powerful reminders of the city’s rich history.

Elevation gain +328 Ft (100 m)
On your final cycling day, you leave Caen and ride to the renowned Caen Memorial, an important museum dedicated to the Battle of Normandy, 20th-century history, and the pursuit of peace.

You then continue through the countryside to the elegant Château de Fontaine-Henry, a beautiful Renaissance château that has remained in the same family for over 800 years and is known for having some of the highest castle roofs in France.

The route then leads through the scenic Seulles Valley, cycling along quiet bocage lanes through rolling farmland and traditional livestock country, before arriving in the historic town of Bayeux, the perfect place to conclude your journey.

Elevation gain +1082 Ft (330m)

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

Prices are per person, in Euro’s and includes bike rental

Dates	Category	Accommodation	Double/Twin	Single
March – October	Standard	2* & 3* Hotels	€ 1250	€ 1540	Book Here
March – October	Superior	3* & 4* Hotels	€ 1750	€ 2290	Book Here

Choose your starting date between March and October

- Accommodations in small, mostly family-owned hotels or B&B
- Daily breakfast
- 27-speed bike rental, panniers, lock, repair kit and map holder (helmets on request)
- Entrance fee:
- Memorial Pegasus,
- Arromanches 360 circular cinema
- Caen Memorial Museum
- Overlord Museum
- Luggage transportation (pieces of luggage limited to 1 per person and 32 pounds per piece)
- Route descriptions, maps, and travel highlight information
- GPX files
- Emergency service phone number 7 days a week
Bikes are included in the price of the tour. Bikes are well-maintained 21-speed men’s and women’s bikes, equipped with saddlebags, repair kit, odometer, and lock. Bike helmet on request.

Electric bikes can be rented for this tour (€100 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, and bike trailers.
Included in the tour price you’ll receive daily buffet breakfast. For the buffet breakfasts there’s an assortment of cold meats and cheeses, eggs, bread, jams, cereal, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and tea.

For lunches you will be in a town so you can find lunch at a restaurant on your own.

Dinners will be on your own, and you can choose one of many delicious restaurant options within easy walking distance from our hotel.
- Air fare
- Lunches and dinners
- Entrance fees and excursions (not mentioned under inclusions)
- Beverages
- Helmet (only on request)
- Other items of a personal nature
- Trip cancellation insurance

Accommodations

The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.