Come of a cycle tour with Hooked on Cycling holidays in Normandy in France. On this bike vacation, you have the opportunity to visit by bike two of the most important historic sites of Normandy, the Utah Beach one of the landing beaches of the Second World War and the great Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. In between those areas, you will ride through the quiet tracks, trails and country lanes of the region. You will indeed feel the variety that Normandy can offer as you pass historic villages and towns, the sombre war cemeteries and the fabulous views across the coastline and it internal countryside.
Carentan
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Cycling that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.
You individually travel to Carentan located near the Normandy coast and Utah Beach. Once you arrive, check-in and then take some time to explore its marina and the town centre.
A roundtrip with a visit to the magnificent shoreline that was the theatre of the American landings on Utah Beach. The route then crosses the Cotenin and Bessin Marshes natural park.
Today you leave Carentan by bike, Carentan was a former trade centre, and now following back roads through the marshes of Cotentin to join the greenway in saint-Fromond. Continue along the river Vire to reach Saint-Lô and on the way, enjoy life along the river (locks, dams). In Saint-Lô visit the Remparts, the national Stud farm, the local museums.
From Saint-Lô today you cycle first beside the river Vire on the greenway (old towpath) until you reach Pont-Farcy. On the way, admire the breath-taking views of the valley from the Roches de Ham. You shall pass many locks along the way. After a stop in Pont-Farcy, you leave the towpath along narrow lanes of the “bocage” running along the river Vire. Wind your way through the valleys, which offer contrasting landscapes of wooded hills and stunning views over the gorges of the Vire River. This route leads to the Viaduct de la Souleuvre. Now from the viaduct, you cycle through La Graverie through almost traffic-free sections to continue on the greenway leading to Vire. Vire is well known for its local character “Andouille de Vire”.
You head back to the greenway which starts again a few kilometres west of Vire, 8 km heading south, you will find a stopover for hikers and cyclists (refurbished station with toilets and picnic facilities). Cycling today across rolling hills, you approach Sourdeval where you will find another stopping point equipped with a shelter, picnic tables and toilets. Continue the ride up to Mortain where you can see the town’s heritage sites, the waterfalls and the surrounding countryside. Throughout this trail, find out more about local history, traditions and customs with the information provided on site.
From Romagny you follow the greenway that crosses the Pays de la Baie (or the Mont-Saint-Michel bay county) winding along the river Sélune. The Sée and Sélune rivers cross lush green valleys and unspoilt landscapes. Cycle past Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, Isigny-le-Buat to reach Ducey, a town with traditional architecture.
From Ducey, you cycle following the rivers Sée and Sélune to reach the town of Pontaubault where you leave the greenway. Now on quiet country roads with unique views of the Bay and the Mont-Saint-Michel. Mont Saint-Michael is listed UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Cycle from one world to the other surrounded by a rich diversity of landscapes. Offering a spectacular sight, the Mont-Saint-Michel, this famous rock crowned by a magnificent abbey can be seen. Originally a church built in the 8th century it dominates the surrounding landscape. Now it is time to visit the abbey and the museums. You should allow at least a good 3 hours to explore on foot
Depart after breakfast.
