Get on your bike in Normandy!

Transcription

1 Get on your bike in Normandy! 2018 PRESS PACK

2 NORMANDY Newhaven Rosslare - Dublin Portsmouth Poole CHANNEL Portsmout Dieppe St Valéry-en-Caux Aurigny Guernesey Jersey Jersey Dielette Granville Le Mont-Saint-Michel Cherbourg-en-Cotentin Barneville- Cartere Coutances La Vire Saint-Vaastla-Hougue Carentan THE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK OF THE «COTENTIN-BESSIN MARAIS» Avranches Saint Lo The D-Day Landing Beaches Arromanches-les-Bains Bayeux Souleuvre Viaduct Ouistreham Flers Portsmout Caen-la-Mer Oëtre Rock Argentan Honfleur Deauville Camembert Orne Etretat Le Havre Lisieux Fécamp Le Pin National Stud THE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK OF THE MEANDERS OF THE SEINE Bernay Le Bec-Hellouin Verneuil-sur-Avre Forges-les-Eaux Rouen Seine Les Andelys Vernon-Giverny Évreux Gisors PARIS KEY Domfront THE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK Bagnoles-de-l Orne OF NORMANDY MAINE Mortagne-au-Perche Carrouges Alençon THE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK OF PERCHE Véloscénie / Paris-Mont-Saint-Michel Vélo Francette / Ouistreham-La Rochelle Tour de Manche Cherbourg / Roscoff-Plymouth-Poole Avenue Verte / London-Paris The Coastal Cycle Route / Eurovélo 4 Roscoff-Kief PARIS

3 Get on your bike in Normandy! Normandy is the perfect place for cycle nomads, offering an incredible choice of routes and varied landscapes for keen cyclists. Whether you prefer the coast, or to find yourself inland travelling through fields, Normandy encourages you to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you are looking for a single excursion or a long-distance escapade, you re spoilt for choice in Normandy! From major routes to the themed circuits on offer by its 5 departments, whether you are a novice or experienced, cycling solo, with friends or as a family (even a large family), there s something to suit all tastes and levels of fitness. Land of adventure, Normandy by bike offers a way of exploring the area differently: taking your time pure and simple. Normandy s cycle routes are many and varied so as to cater for everyone, from windswept cliffs, to bocage and marshland, not forgetting the Regional Natural Parks. Pleasure seekers on two wheels, families large or small, thrill seekers who love history and old buildings, you will all find your feet on the pedals for the great 2-wheeled escape outdoors CONTENTS P2 EN ROUTE: NORMANDY S MAJOR CYCLE ROUTES P6 BY THE SEA P12 INLAND P18 LAND AND SEA P22 TO PLAN YOUR CYCLE TRIP - 3

4 4 - Caroline Ledoux

5 EN ROUTE The coastal cycle route An itinerary of a thousand parts The Eurovélo 4, linking Roscoff in Brittany with Kiev in Ukraine takes you along the coast by Mont-Saint-Michel to Tréport via Cabourg. In a few turns of the pedals, you ll breathe in the sea air from the Channel and admire the natural and man-made attractions along the way. Before you will unfold the wonderful landscapes of the Alabaster Coast, the Côte Fleurie, the Côte de Nacre and the coastline of the Cherbourg Peninsula. The D-Day Landing Beaches, soaring cliffs, little fishing ports, marinas, seaside resorts and other picturesque spots in the back country guide you along this cycle route of a thousand parts. Avenue Verte London-Paris 406 km of pure landscapes between the two capital cities A legendary route, the Avenue Verte London-Paris links two of Europe s greatest capital cities, via a mosaic of landscapes, interspersed by some remarkable buildings. With long portions of greenways and secured cycle paths, it s the perfect route to take the time to explore places steeped in history. Along the way you will discover the unspoilt landscapes of Norman Vexin in Eure, the attractions of the Epte Valley, such as Gisors Castle, and why not take an impressionist detour to Giverny where the famous painter Monet lived. When you reach Seine-Maritime, it will be the gastronomy of the Pays de Bray which will delight you with its famous Neufchâtel cheese As you approach Dieppe, the impressive spectacle of the tall white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast will make a lasting impression The Veloscenie, a 450 km / 280-mile route from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel What a great idea to link Notre-Dame in Paris with Mont-Saint-Michel by bike! This route is an exploration of the History of France, illustrated by its most beautiful monuments, including 5 which are UNESCO listed. With dedicated cycle paths, greenways, marked lanes and forest paths, this 232km / 145-mile-long cycle route will take you into the heart of Perche and Normandy s characteristic bocage landscape. Don t miss Carrouges Castle, the spa at Bagnoles de l Orne, Alençon Lace, the waterfalls of Mortain, or of course the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. The Velo Francette from Normandy to the Atlantic The Velo Francette is 617km / 385 miles of cycle routes from Normandy to The Atlantic. It follows the flow of rivers allowing you to experience the charm of pretty towns and villages and the gentle French rural landscapes. Starting from Normandy s beaches, passing through Caen, and then continuing along the Orne Valley in Swiss Normandy, then through Flers and Domfront, the Velo Francette is a real road-movie set in real no frills France, with plenty of opportunities to free-wheel with visits to typically French craft breweries, renowned distilleries, workshops, factories, farms, and stops at natural beauty spots, cultural attractions and for simple childish pleasures. Major cycle routes crossing Normandy Normandy s network of cycle routes, including 550km / 344 miles of greenways, offer some great themed itineraries with a mix of cycling, cultural attractions and fine food. Why not extend your journey beyond the limits of Normandy by discovering these routes in their entirety? - 5

6 BY THE SEA V. Rustuel The coastal cycle route: a succession of stunning landscapes along Normandy s coastline ROUTE: FROM MONT-SAINT-MICHEL TO TRÉPORT (SEINE-MARITIME) PAVED ROAD TYPES: GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DISTANCE : 140 KM / 88 MILES WITHIN NORMANDY DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULT 6 - E. Tessier CRT Normandie

7 From Mont-Saint-Michel to the Cherbourg Peninsula in the Manche: 340 km / 212 miles As we leave the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the breeze propels us inland and we pass through many villages such as Ducey, and Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët or we take a rest stop at the waterfalls of Mortain. Heading North, we reach Saint-Lô, whence we follow the peaceful Vire river as far as Ham Rocks, a schist cliff offering a panoramic view of Normandy s bocage. A little look round the medieval town of Carentan beckons before heading towards the coast to the port of Cherbourg. Then we meander around the Saire Valley and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to Utah Beach, where the Allied forces landed on D-Day. >>> Places visited: Ducey, Saint-Lô, Carentan, Cherbourg, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue Along the Côte de Nacre, and the Côte Fleurie in Calvados: 96 km / 60 miles With its iconic bathing huts, the Côte de Nacre alternates between the traditional and the contemporary. With its casino, thalassotherapy centre, sea sports centre, marina and fishing port, Ouistreham Riva Bella has everything for your pleasure. A little further on, Luc-sur-Mer is known for its sea cures, and particularly its baths infused with Luc algae. Narrow streets, fishermen s houses and seafront villas make Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer an authentic seaside resort of charm. >>> Places visited: Ouistreham, Luc-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Asnelles From Honfleur to Merville-Franceville, the flower rich countryside of The Pays d Auge and the many gardens of the seafront villas have E. Ursule - CRT Normandie A quick spin round the highlights of The Coastal Cycle Route! caused this little stretch of Normandy s coast to be known as the Côte Fleurie. It s here that the fashion for sea bathing changed Normandy s coast for ever. From your bicycle seat, you will in turn be amazed by Deauville s prestige, by Trouville sur Mer s chic, and by the charm of Houlgate and its Belle Époque villas, by Cabourg and its celebrities, or by the authenticity of the little port of Honfleur, made famous by the illustrious Impressionist painters who came here. >>> Places visited: Honfleur, Trouville-sur-Mer, Deauville, Cabourg, Villers-sur-Mer, Dives-sur-Mer, Merville-Franceville The Albaster Coast in Seine Maritime: 180 km / 112 miles This itinerary lets you explore the Alabaster Coast, which is 180 km / 112 miles long, and consists of tall chalk cliffs overlooking the sea, crossed by little valleys carved by rivers heading towards the sea. Take a break from pedalling to visit Le Havre, a listed UNESCO world heritage site. The route takes you through nearly all the seaside towns and resorts, and past many beaches. Everyone will enjoy the surrounding countryside with its scenic lanes where you will often be tempted to stop to admire villages, churches and manor houses. >>> Places visited: Le Tréport, Dieppe, Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, Fécamp, Etretat, Le Havre L. Leloup- CRT Normandie BY THE SEA - 7

8 BY THE SEA Cycle touring with a mixture of culture and unspoilt scenery in Calvados CIRCUIT NO 4: AROUND CABOURG BETWEEN THE ORNE AND THE DIVES CALVADOS STARTING FROM MERVILLE-FRANCEVILLE DISTANCE: 16 KM / 10 MILES ROAD TYPES: GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY Here you find yourself in a miniature Bay of the Somme. The Orne estuary, the biggest natural area in Calvados, extends over a protected wilderness, radiant in that special light created where freshwater meets the sea. Here you can see many wild plants, as well as lots of species of birds. Lately it hasn t been unusual to spot seal calves through binoculars. They rest when the tide goes out under the amused gaze of walkers and visitors to the Maison de la Nature of the Sallenelles estuary (binoculars available for hire here). You can leave your bikes to spend some time visiting the Maison de la Nature which offers exhibitions, workshops and educational outings. At Merville Gun Battery, you can explore a historical site covering several hectares, including four artillery casemates converted into a museum. A reconstruction of the heroic attack on the battery makes a unique experience. G. Wait - Calvados Attractivité L. Durand - Calvados 8 -

9 BY THE SEA Natural Normandy at its best S.Guichard-Calvados - 9

10 INLAND SEINE-MARITIME The cycle route of Flax, a noble material within reach of your handlebars ITINERARY: FROM DIEPPE TO FÉCAMP DISTANCE: 75 KM / 47 MILES PAVED ROAD: 100% GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY Keen cyclists may take the old railway line linking Dieppe with Fécamp along a route which gives pride of place to one of the highlights of the Seine-Maritime: flax. With long sections converted into green ways, it s the perfect route for families and easy going cyclists. This easy path takes you through several differing landscapes - the flax fields which flower in June in the Pays de Caux, the rivers criss-crossing the Valleys of the Scie and the Saâne, and to charming quiet villages along the route where you can wander through the narrow streets. This cycle route punctuated with picnic sites and rest spots will let you recharge your batteries before arriving in the port of Dieppe or Fécamp. Must-see activities: Saint-Pierre-le-Viger Stop off at the Terre de Lin linen cooperative where they work the fibres grown in the fields. Scutching, combing and spinning all steps in the production of the material necessary for textile manufacture. Offranville Whether it s for the church with its twisted bell tower, the Jacques- Émile Blanche museum, or indeed for the William Farcy floral park, the reasons to stop off here are many. Take advantage of the former railway station situated on the Cycle route of Flax to have a well-earned rest. Fécamp Tucked away at the bottom of the Valmont Valley facing the sea and its treasures, Fécamp invites you to explore some outstanding attractions, like the Benedictine Palace, one of Normandy s most beautiful buildings, and the sole place of manufacture of Benedictine liqueur, or indeed the fisheries museum, reflecting its fishing heritage. Today the town s Station Nautique status has brought new life to its port with beach walks, and nautical activities. Fécamp remains close to the sea and makes a great getaway The Saâne Valley Even more than its neighbouring valley of the Scie, this valley is away from the well-trodden tourist paths, harbouring peaceful villages in which stately homes are hidden away behind a curtain of trees. Green Beach, a pleasant beach with a painful past The community of Pourville-sur-mer wanted to remember the Canadians who died in their endeavour to liberate its inhabitants from the German occupiers. The sacrifice of these young men is commemorated on the monument to the dead beside the chapel PixSide

11 INLAND ORNE Free hand for going green Going round in circles can be very therapeutic, especially when you are touring round the verdant department of the Orne by bike. A more secret and poetic place than the coast, the wealth of the countryside is your reward. You may discern the shape of a Percheron horse as you glide through a cloak of morning mist, the Orne unfolding beneath your wheels. It s a place that offers cyclists a moment of renewal and wellbeing. Around the flavours of Camembert Country CIRCUIT 27 CAMEMBERT COUNTRY STARTS FROM: VIMOUTIERS DISTANCE: 26 KM / 17 MILES ROAD SURFACE: SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULT CDT Orne They say that appetite grows as you eat, but in the Orne, it s as you pedal! On this food-themed circuit which honours France s most well-known cheese Camembert - you will travel round the green countryside of the Pays d Auge. Leaving Vimoutiers, passing through the village of Camembert, suspended in time, protected by its lush hills, your excursion will impart the secrets of how this illustrious cheese is made and will lead you and your taste buds from museum to farm. Every halt at one of the cidermakers punctuating the circuit is an invitation to taste Calvados, or Pays d Auge AOC cider or even Normandy AOC Pommeau. D. Commenchal - 11

12 INLAND 12 - M. Lequertier

13 INLAND Nothing to stop you climbing higher CIRCUIT 18 AROUND OËTRE ROCK STARTS FROM: OËTRE ROCK DISTANCE: 17 KM / 11 MILES ROAD TYPE: SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULT In Swiss Normandy, you will explore nature at its best, where subtle woodland scents awaken your senses. This unspoilt little corner offers many remarkable attractions to give rhythm to your wanderings. If you re looking for an unusual spot, somewhere wild and yet mystical, Oëtre rock will enchant you. Sculpted into the stone, this rock is one of the most impressive natural viewpoints in the West of France. From its 118-metre-high vantage point, a grandiose panorama opens before you above the torrent in the gorges of the Rouvre below. Whilst walking around its ledges, the natural folds in the rock make all sorts of shapes appear, giving free range to the imagination so that you might perceive a human profile or a sphinx. David Commenchal - 13

14 INLAND All in the saddle in the land of the horse CIRCUIT 26 PIN STUD FARM CHAMBOIS STARTS FROM: LE PIN STUD DISTANCE: 29 KM / 18 MILES ROAD SURFACE: SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY Before setting off on this circuit on an electric bike, come and see the Versailles of the Horse, as the writer Jean de La Varende referred to The Pin Stud. Founded in the 18 th century on the initiative of Colbert, this stud combines French tradition, fine apparels and horse breeding. Get up close to Percherons, these solid draught horses, and witness the powerful delicacy of Arab thoroughbreds. Speeding along on your two-wheeled steed, your passage through the green-swathed lanes will soon reveal the imposing medieval keep of Chambois. There will be unexpected encounters with wildlife along the way. D. Commanchal The jewels of Perche by bike CIRCUIT 40 SUBLAINE ESCAPADE STARTS FROM: BELLEME DISTANCE: 45 KM / 28 MILES ROAD SURFACE: GREEN WAY AND FOREST TRACK DIFFICULTY: EASY D. Commenchal Entering Perche is entering into communion with the forest as well as with the manor houses which play hide and seek amidst the trees. Our heritage cycle ride starts in the heart of the medieval town of Belleme, perched on a hill overlooking the Perche. Here it s a pleasure to lose yourself in the cobblestone streets and to admire the facades of mansions dating from the 17 th and 18 th centuries. Time to head on and to follow the string of stunning manor houses which lie along the way of this circuit, and to let your imagination wander before these ancestral piles: the manors of Courboyer, de la Moussetière, of Lormarin or indeed Vove Manor. D. Commenchal 14 -

15 INLAND An atmosphere of Chill out at Bagnoles-de-l Orne CIRCUIT 5 BAGNOLES-DE-L ORNE AS A FAMILY STARTS FROM: BAGNOLES-DE-L ORNE DISTANCE: 18 KM / 12 MILES ROAD SURFACE: GREEN WAY AND FOREST TRACK DIFFICULTY: VERY EASY This cycle outing through the forest of Andaines is an ode to relaxation. The thermal waters of Bagnoles- de-l Orne have unique anti-stress and anti-oxidant properties, which will fully relax you. And to tone up your leg muscles, massages with essential oils will perk you up. After this moment of cocooning it s time to continue your ride and head off to check out the Belle Epoque charm of the spa, its casino, its racecourse and the lake gardens. A few turns of the pedals further on and another chance to recharge the batteries awaits at the gorges of Villiers, a natural beauty spot which is welcoming and relaxing. D. Commenchal - CDT 61 D. Commenchal - CDT 61-15

16 INLAND Eure Tourisme, Sybil Rondeau EURE Rolling through the fields of Eure A land rich in chlorophyll, caressed by sea spray from the neighbouring coastline, landscapes of bocage, forests, rivers, wetlands and charming villages, the Eure and its enchanting landscapes are full of surprises. There is Giverny and the Valley of the Seine as a backdrop. After all it was here that Claude Monet chose to set up his easel Pedal away and let yourself be transported to the very heart of Normandy Eric Sander

17 On your bike along the road to Normandy s history! THE GREEN WAY OF THE EPTE VALLEY ITINERARY: GISORS GASNY (AVENUE VERTE LONDON-PARIS) DISTANCE: 28 KM / 17.5 MILES ROAD SURFACE: SIGNED SECURE CYCLE PATH VARIATION: GASNY - VERNON VIA GIVERNY The historical cradle of Normandy, the Epte Valley was the theatre of the dramatic story played out between the King of England and the King of France. With Gisors and its famous castle as a focal point, today it is a bucolic valley of typical villages, which you traverse on a pleasant green way, amidst landscapes from Normandy s Vexin and the Seine Valley. This itinerary which includes a variation to Giverny, birthplace of Impressionism, follows the route of the London-Paris Avenue Verte, which allows you to travel between the two capital cities by bike. Plunge into the heart of undiscovered Normandy THE VERNIER WETLANDS BY BIKE ITINERARY: FROM SAINTE-OPPORTUNE-LA-MARE TO QUILLEBEUF-SUR-SEINE DISTANCE: 29 KM / 18 MILES ROAD SURFACE: SIGNED CYCLE PATH DIFFICULTY: EASY Fed by the waters of the Seine, the Vernier Wetlands stretch to the heart of the Regional Park of the Meanders of the Seine in Normandy. A veritable natural jewel, it is an exceptional biotype and a perfect refuge for grey herons, white storks and peregrine falcons, which flourish in this protected wetland maintained by Camargue horses and Highland cattle. This exceptional reserve of 4,500 hectares (11,340 acres) received the international Ramsar label in 2016, and can be explored by bike, visiting several little villages along the Route des Chaumières, which features thatched houses with mud walls, giving a complete immersion in the undiscovered laid-back heart of Normandy INLAND Follow the right rails GREEN WAY EVREUX LE BEC-HELLOUIN ITINERARY: FROM EVREUX TO THE BEC VALLEY DISTANCE: 42 KM / 26 MILES ROAD SURFACE: SIGNED SECURE CYCLE PATH DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM Following the route of the old railway line from Evreux to Honfleur, this green way tells the story of the railways through the flax fields of Neubourg and the countryside of Normandy. Savouring the tranquillity which guides you along the way, you will notice the little railway halts full of retro charm, level crossing keepers houses or indeed rural farms punctuating the 42km length of the signed and secured route. Stop at Harcourt and be sure to visit the oldest arboretum in France and the fortified castle with two faces one with a feudal aspect and the other of a classic home, concealed by some 500 species of trees which hold it in their embrace. The highlight of the circuit is Bec-Hellouin abbey and its village, which is listed as one of the most beautiful in France. And don t miss Champ de Bataille castle and its extraordinary gardens, just a few wheel spins from Neuborg. Eure Tourisme - Miles&Love - 17

18 LAND+SEA Let yourself go between land and sea CALVADOS New circuit! Coming across the history of Normandy, between Bayeux and Arromanches CIRCUIT 5 BAYEUX LONGUES- ARROMANCHES DISTANCE WITHIN NORMANDY: 24 KM / 15 MILES ROAD TYPES: GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY G. Wait - OT Bayeux Intercom This route leaves from the medieval town of Bayeux, the first town to be liberated in The Second World War. Miraculously spared from the fighting, this charming town has two jewels worth visiting: its cathedral and its tapestry, which is listed as worldwide heritage by UNESCO. On this route, which is laden with history, you will breathe in the fresh sea air off the coast of Normandy. Pedalling north you will come to the coastal green way cycle path, the section between Longues-sur-Mer and Arromanches-les-Bains having just been completed. From there it is possible to make a detour west to see the German gun battery of Longues-sur-Mer, and then to follow the Bessin coast where your eyes will stare into incredible panoramic views. As you approach Arromanches, the remains of the mulberry port gradually come into focus in the sea. Covering about 1000 hectares (2500 acres), the huge empty shells of rusting barges still defy the elements day after day. With your feet on the ground and your hands on the handlebars, it seems as though time has stopped. Perched atop towering cliffs, we contemplate history from on high. This is our history and we are left speechless. 18 -

19 CÔTÉ TERRE+MER EURE, SEINE-MARITIME The Seine by bike, on paths already open in Normandy ITINERARY: PARIS-LE HAVRE DISTANCE WITHIN NORMANDY: 120 KM / 75 MILES IN SEINE-MARITIME ROAD TYPES: GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY Seine-Maritime Tourisme-H.Salah The Seine by Bike links Paris to Le Havre, Honfleur and Deauville following the meandering course of the river with a mixture of cultural and industrial attractions along the way. Following the Seine, connecting two major population bases, some iconic tourist attractions and cycle routes of European and national interest, The Seine by Bike has all the elements necessary to become a successful long-distance cycle route and will be opened in June Some sections in Normandy are already open A part of this route, signed Véloroute du Val de Seine, is already open in Seine-Maritime. The towns of Rouen, La Bouille, Caudebec-en-Caux and Le Havre are a number of potential stopover locations offering sights on the theme of Impressionism! As you pass through the Natural Regional Park of the meanders of the Seine in Normandy, you will also discover many other natural and cultural attractions with Jumièges and Saint-Wandrille abbeys amongst others. For a well-earned pause, you can board the Seine ferry and cross from one bank to the other. A first section between the old mill of Vernon and legendary Giverny will come into operation in Eure in MANCHE By bike on the coast of havens ITINERARY: BARNEVILLE-CARTERET TO LE HAVRE DE SIENNE DISTANCE WITHIN NORMANDY: 66 KM / 41 MILES (INCLUDING 50KM / 31 MILES OF GREEN WAY) ROAD TYPES: GREEN WAY, SHARED ROADWAY DIFFICULTY: EASY On the west coast of the Manche department are 8 havens or natural harbours. These places where the sea has made inroads into the land produce very unusual landscape features, which are best admired during high tides. This green way takes you through Portbail, crossing an arm of the sea, to Coutances so that you can visit its majestic cathedral and to stop off at Pont de la Roque to witness the tidal bore, which races up the river with the rising tide. Places to visit along the way: the seaside resort of Barneville-Carteret the cape of Carteret and its lighthouse, Portbail, Lessay and its abbey, and Coutances, its cathedral, its botanical garden and its museum. E. Tessier CRT Normandie - 19

20 LAND+SEA CALVADOS - MANCHE The D-Day Landing Beaches Mont-Saint-Michel cycle route, an incredible journey through time ITINERARY: FROM UTAH BEACH OR PORT-EN-BESSIN OR ARROMANCHES TO MONT-SAINT-MICHEL BAY DISTANCE: 190 OR 230 KM / 119 OR 144 MILES (DEPENDING ON DEPARTURE POINT) ROAD TYPES: 124 KM / 78 MILES OF GREEN WAY DIFFICULTY: EASY L. Recouvrot - CRT Normandie On a journey through time, through wetlands, bocage and verdant Norman pastures, you will travel back through history as you turn your pedals. Twixt land and sea, your journey begins on the shores of Sainte-Marie du Mont, Port-en-Bessin or Arromanches-les-Bains, iconic beaches from D-Day from the Utah, Omaha and Gold Beach sectors. Then you will pass through forests and fields on your long-distance escapade. The Landing Beaches, symbols of the end of The Second World War, are so linked to the medieval Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, places listed as UNESCO world heritage, via the stunning landscapes of Normandy, arrayed with abbeys, old manor farmhouses and historic monuments. 20 -

21 LAND+SEA Anibas Photography - CRT Normandie G. Wait - OT Bayeux The sights: Utah Beach This D-Day Landing Beach now has a museum standing in front of the traces left by the war. It acts as guardian of a past which we must not forget and pays tribute to the soldiers who fought in the name of freedom. Port-en-Bessin A traditional fishing port, Port-en-Bessin has the authentic charm of Normandy s seaside villages with its fishermen s houses, its fish market and its salty air. Arromanches-les-Bains Built the day after D-Day, the Mulberry was a floating artificial port which allowed the Allies to keep the front supplied. Its remains are still visible today and stand witness to this iconic moment in History. Bayeux Home of the Bayeux Tapestry listed on UNESCO s Memory of The World Programme, the town is full of architectural and cultural marvels, such as the cathedral built in 1077 by Odon de Conteville, the illustrious brother of William the Conqueror. Souleuvre Viaduct Warning for thrill seekers: Souleuvre Viaduct is very popular amongst bungee jumping enthusiasts! Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this disused railway viaduct is over 350 metres long and 60 metres high. Vire Recognisable by its majestic Clocktower Gate, which guards the entrance to the town, the town of Vire is visited not just for its medieval monuments but also for its speciality: Vire andouille. Th. Houyel CDT50-21

22 PRATICALITIES V. Rustuel - Seine-Maritime Tourisme Practical information to plan your cycle trip Accommodation with the Accueil Vélo approval label for more comfort Organise your stay in Normandy and find accommodation along the cycle routes with a guaranteed welcome and services tailored to your needs. Taste Normandy s produce by bike too Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel, Pont-L Evêque, scallops, oysters, cider, calvados, Poiré, Pommeau etc. Sample the flavours of Normandy and discover the secret of their manufacture. An exquisite experience that your taste buds won t forget in a hurry! Making travel easy in Normandy Use your bike, the train or bus... Electric bike excursion in Normandy, with the Petite Reine option Try it out and you ll come away with some great memories! Hugo Guillochin and his Petite Reine will take you on an electric bike tour of the highlights of Normandy. During the excursions, this local enthusiast will be your guide and explain the places of historical interest. With an electric bike, it s easy to follow the bucolic byways leading to Normandy s iconic sights. Booking online at PACKAGES Cycling breaks in Normandy Some examples of breaks: The D-Day Landing Beaches to Mont-Saint-Michel 8 days from 840 /person Calvados by the coast 6 days from 540 /person The route of the corsairs 6 days from 640 /person An excursion around Bayeux 2 days from 148 /person To the heart of Normandy, Giverny and around by bike 3 days from 179 /person 22 -

23 - 23 V. Rustuel - CDT76

24 PRESS CONTACT Grégory Delahaye Normandy Tourist Board Mobile : 33 (0) Phone : 33 (0) g.delahaye@normandie-tourisme.fr Graphic design: Cover photo credits : Decamps Daniel