Join our Fresh Eire Adventures bike tour of Brittany & Normandy France and bike country roads to WW2 beaches. Enjoy the culture, history and beauty of St Malo, Bayeaux, Caen and Le Mont-St-Michel. Savour delicious cheese, crepes, oysters and Calvados...the North West coast of France has it all! Come join us! The region is of course synonymous with the seminal WW2 landings of the Allied forces which brought about a lasting peace throughout Europe. An enormous debt is owed to the brave soldiers who fought here, many thousands of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom by landing on the beaches of Normandy, the names of which are familiar to us all; Utah, Omaha and Pointe du Hoc.
Please see our Blogs for Blois Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants, for Rennes Hotels & Restaurants, for Bordeaux Bike Tour and for Paris to help with pre and post trip suggestions.
Dates Normandy | Prices Normandy | Included Normandy | Extras Normandy
We visit Omaha beach and the poignant American Cemetery containing the graves of 9,387 American soldiers and the Memorial to the 1,557 soldiers whose remains were never found. The region possesses some of the most wonderful heritage sights; from the Chateau du Caen and Mont St Michel to the world-famous Bayeux tapestry without which a visit to the region would not be complete. The region also has its own very distinct culture; its cuisine, way of life and even dialects of French are unique.
The Normandy Beaches & Brittany Fresh Eire Adventure has been designed with with novice bikers in mind. The terrain is mostly flat although there are some easy-moderate hills. We can also provide electric bikes for this tour so as to make it available to everyone, especially for those Guests who might be intimidated by the very notion of taking a bike tour. Ideal for Families of all ages, this is a tour which is also particularly suited to children – there are many activities available in the region which will keep our younger Adventurers pleased throughout our week together. It is also a very popular tour with our Silver Cyclists.
Itinerary
Day 1, Sunday
Your Fresh Eire Adventures craic commando team will meet you at Caen train station or at your hotel should you have decided to arrive in Caen a day ahead of schedule. Please be dressed ready for biking (padded bike shorts are a great idea all the time – BUT ESPECIALLY ON THE FIRST DAY) when we meet. We’ll take care of your luggage and then you’ll take a brief tour of the Chateau de Guaillaume le Conquerant before having a casual lunch in a nearby fantastic brasserie. We’ll sample our first Calvados (apple brandy) before dropping by the gothic Abbaye aux Hommes. After a review of bicycling safety, we’ll introduce you to your bikes, show you how to change gears & use the brakes (please, humour us – it’s always best to go over everything as every bike is different), and make some micro adjustments to ensure a comfortable ride for the week ahead and then we’ll set off.
Today we’ll stick to the Voie Verts (Green Ways) which are a mix of bike paths and public roads. We’ll ride out of town following the canal towards Ouistreham. Here we often stop at the market to sample our first oysters together. We’ll follow the coast along a wonderful bike path in the direction of Lion-sur-Mer where we’ll end today’s ride and then transfer to Bayeux by car.
Once in Bayeux you’ll check into your hotel, either the fabulous Deluxe Hotel Tardif or Classic Lion d'Or. You’ll have ample time to relax and change for dinner. Tonight we’ll dine at the Lion d’Or; one of Bayeux’s top restaurants (and also your hotel if you have opted for the Classic Tour). If you have chosen the Deluxe option, the restaurant is a short walk away from the Hotel Tardif. After dinner you might enjoy a short walk around the pedestrian friendly old town centre; however be warned…Bayeux is not blessed with a hopping nightlife.
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner
Classic hotel: Lion D'Or
Deluxe hotel: Hotel Tardif
Day 2, Monday
After breakfast at your hotel (served from 8am) we’ll meet in the lobby at 9am and walk over to the museum for our visit of the Bayeux Tapestry. The tapestry (or “tapisserie” en francais) depicts how William the Duke of Normandy crossed the channel and was victorious at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became William the Conqueror and King of England.
We will enjoy a walking tour of the town before lunch (lunch today is on your own and we can recommend a bustling spot right in the centre of town) and then take to our bikes for another wonderful bike ride in the direction of Port en Bessin Huppain. (Bring your bathing suit and a towel from the hotel if you fancy a dip in the clear water; expect temperatures of mid 60s F / mid teens in C). Once there we’ll head in the direction of Omaha Beach and we’ll visit the poignant American Cemetery. Here we’ll learn about the landings of the Allied troops on the coastline and how thousands of them paid the ultimate price for our liberty.
We’ll return to Bayeux in the late afternoon and meet for dinner in a very casual (but most excellent) restaurant, L’Alchimie. Tonight we’ll also sample some more calvados and enjoy some cheeses from the region; Normandy has more than just Camembert!
Tonight will be our final night in Bayeux; tomorrow morning we’ll be checking out of our hotel after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Classic hotel: Lion D'Or
Deluxe hotel: Hotel Tardif
Day 3, Tuesday
We’ll be checking out this morning so please make sure your luggage is ready for transportation (and please look under the bed to make sure your favourite pair of socks has been packed – we won’t go back for them regardless of how much they caress your piggies. We might make an exception for a passport…but the drinks are on you if we do!) following breakfast.
Our third day together sees us leave Bayeaux and transfer to Utah Beach after breakfast. Utah Beach is a vast expanse of dunes and golden sand and very little else. Here we will have an opportunity to learn the stories of the 4th and 8th Infantries and 82nd and 101st Airborne ('les parachutages') who landed here. After spending a few hours there we will then transfer south towards Brittany leaving Calvados behind us."
Our destination today is the spectacular Mont St Michel. We’ll bike the last 20km to this magnificent site – the 8th wonder of the world as the proud Normans claim! Tonight you’ll spend a night on your own, at the very quirky, yet charming, Terrasses Poulard, and be free to wander around this unique village at your leisure and enjoy dinner in a restaurant of your choice.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Classic and Deluxe hotel: Terasses Poulard
Day 4, Wednesday
This morning is another moving day. After breakfast (more croissants! – eat early, eat often!) we’ll check out of the hotel and we will take a tour of the fascinating Benedictine l’Abbaye du Mont St Michel which dates back to the 9th century.
We’ll ride our bikes from the rock, bidding adieu to Normandy as we head south to Brittany. Brace yourself – we’ll be sampling crepes, salted caramel and even more shellfish than in Normandy! Normandy is famous for its Calvados while Brittany is associated with ciders.
We’ll ride again, following a short transfer after lunch, en route to your hotel – either the Deluxe Chateau Hotel du Colombier in the magnificent countryside (maison de plaisance - built in 1715, the decorative details of its large central oak staircase, the delicate wood panelling depicting 18th century allegorical and its riverside setting make this a wonderful final property from which you can enjoy this fabulous region of France) or the charming Classic Hotel Villefromoy with its tranquil beachside location. While both of the hotels are located a few miles from the walled city of St Malo, we’ll dine within the city walls to soak up the atmosphere of this buzzing village. After dinner we’ll transfer back to your hotel where we recommend you read "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Classic hotel: La Villefromoy
Deluxe hotel: Chateau Hotel du Colombier
Day 5, Thursday
This morning we’ll meet after breakfast and ride from your hotel towards the village of Dinan on the Rance river and the nature reserve on Pointe du Grouin. This is our final day in the saddle so we want to ensure you get the ride you want. Plenty of options today!
We’ll enjoy a final lunch together and we’ll return to the hotel in plenty of time for you to take a stroll on the grounds or along the beach before enjoying a sparkling wine and then we'll transfer to St Malo for our final night dinner in a wonderfully authentic restaurant inside the city walls. Expect to be serenaded tonight by local musicians and you might even get to cut the rug – Breton style! Seafood will feature strongly on the menu tonight but there will be plenty of other options too.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Classic hotel: La Villefromoy
Deluxe hotel: Chateau Hotel du Colombier
Day 6, Friday
This morning, after our final breakfast together, we’ll take a short ride in the vacinity of your hotel after which you'll have the opportunity to return and change your clothes. We'll then transfer you to St Malo train station where you can take an onward train to Paris. Pedal on!
Included meals: Breakfast
Dates Normandy
Any start dates available upon request (subject to availability)
Prices Normandy
- Classic: US $4,895 pps. Single supplement US$500
- Deluxe: US $5,795 pps. Single supplement US$800
Classic accommodations include 3 & 4 star hotels & inns. Deluxe accommodations include 4 star hotels.
Included Normandy
- Use of hybrid bike and helmet. More about our bikes
- Transfers from Caen and to St Malo on start/end day
- 4 exquisite dinners & wine
- 3 gourmet lunches & wines
- Admissions to all included attractions & tastings
- Baggage transfers
- Tips for hotels/restaurants
- Healthy snacks, water, full guiding services, support vehicle.
- 5 nights B&B in 3 star hotels (Classic), 3 & 4 star hotels (Deluxe), with continental breakfast
Extras Normandy
- Upgrade to a carbon road bike or e-bike at extra cost. More about our bikes
- Self-guided extension packages available in Paris (3 nights, 4 star from $1299 pps)
- Guided extension packages available in Paris (3 nights, 2 days Guided Tour, 1 free day from $1599pps)
- Gratuities for guides
Related posts From our blog
Blois Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants