With the Tour de France 2024 starting today we thought we’d get in to the spirit of cycling with our own Tour de Normandy.
Tour de France History –
As the oldest of the three Grand Tours (the Tour, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España) the Tour de France is universally considered to be the most prestigious of all bike races.
It started in 1903 to increase sales for the French newspaper L’Auto and has been held every year since then, except when it stopped for the two World Wars.
It is brutal physically but also a wonderful showcase of the beauty of France as the participants and spectators journey through France.
Having been to many stages within France (and even one in Yorkshire), and even more finishes in Paris, Rob and I know how exhilarating it is.
Tour de Normandy
However we realise that you may not want to push your body to the limits while on holiday so here are some of our top things to do on your own Tour de Normandy.
We had the actual Tour de Normandy race whizz past our lane in the past which was very exciting but you don’t have to pedal quite so fast while you’re on holiday here.
The quiet lanes around Le Pressoir are ideal for cyclists to explore and we’ve had several guests who enjoy a daily trip out on their bike to keep active and see the beautiful, tranquil countryside.
Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Normandy as it’s one of the most cyclist-friendly destinations in France. Whether you want a family friendly ride on a traffic-free trail, or more testing mountain biking on more rugged terrain, Normandy offers you 1,600km of stunning cycle routes and 700km of safe green lanes to suit all abilities.
Whatever your cycling level, there will be something for you, from thin bikes to fat bikes, from mountain bikes to electric bikes… and even some faster bikes!
And I’ll hand you over to our speed loving guest Sherry to tell you about those faster bikes towards the end of the blog.
Here’s some fat bikes on our nearby by beach, Omaha Beach –
Of course the more prepared you are before getting in the saddle, the more you’ll enjoy your trip, so here are a few tips to help you plan your next cycling trip to Normandy!
1) Whether you’re embarking on your first cycling holiday or are an experienced cyclist, you’ll need the right bike. I know that sounds obvious but if you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry – there are lots of great places to rent bikes throughout the region and there is a list of those a little later. And don’t forget, for safe cycling, wear a helmet and by the way it’s compulsory for children under 12 in France.
2) Novice cyclists can head for the many traffic-free trails and greenways, some of which are restored former railway lines so tend to be a very gentle work out. Perfect for all ages and abilities, these routes offer varying landscapes and easy, relatively-level cycling.
3) Look for these labels & signs: The Accueil Vélo (cyclists welcome) label locates restaurants, bike hire and repair shops, tourist offices, as well as touring and leisure sites open to visitors with bikes, all situated less than 5km from a signposted cycle route. For foodies exploring Normandy, the Vélo & Fromages label combines cycle routes and cheese trails to treat your taste-buds on your two-wheeled adventures. Yummy.
GET ON YOUR BIKE (or hire one)
With all those miles of cycling routes and trails, cycling is a wonderful way to explore. You’ll be able to ride along the dramatic coastline, with some of France’s finest views from your saddle, pedal through impressive, ancient forests and along easy (or more challenging) country lanes surrounded by rolling hills.
The Normandie Tourisme website has some fantastic suggestions and information so check out the link at the end of this section but in the meantime here are just a few of the highlights –
THE VELOSCENIC CYCLE ROUTE
If you like a cycling challenge, the Veloscenic cycle route is ideal for those looking for a true ‘off the beaten track’ experience.
It’s a 442km cycling route from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to one of the most beautiful iconic sites in Normandy, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont-Saint-Michel. The route covers a huge variety of landscapes, passing through four regions of northern France and eight départments in total.
The Normandy section of the route passes through 230km of picturesque countryside near us known as the Bocage Normande, with verdant oak and pine forests, gently winding country roads, spectacular scenery of the Regional Natural Parks of the Perche and Normandie-Maine, tiny villages and bustling historic towns such as Alençon, Mortagne-au-Perche and Bagnoles-de-l’Orne.
The website below details guides, bike rentals, transfers of luggage, bike conciergeries etc –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/active-outdoor/cycling-in-normandy/cycling-itineraries/veloscenic-cycle-route/
VELOWEST NORMANDY ROUTE
If you prefer traffic-free green ways and historical countryside paths, this is a perfect ride for you.
The route runs from the world-famous D-Day Landing Beaches (Utah Beach, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain and Arromanches-les-Bains) to the stunning Mont-Saint-Michel. Passing some of the region’s best historical sites along the way, including the UNESCO-listed Bayeux Tapestry.
The 210km cycle route is the perfect option for history buffs and leisurely cyclists alike as you’ll discover Normandy’s rich heritage as you pedal. It’s mostly flat, the majority of cycle paths meander through typical Normandy landscapes and fascinating, historical towns and landmarks: Port-en-Bessin, Omaha Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, Bayeux and the Viaduc de la Souleuvre. These stops will break up the day on your bike very nicely.
The website below details the route, various possible stages and stop offs and has route maps you can download –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/active-outdoor/cycling-in-normandy/cycling-itineraries/landing-beaches-mont-saint-michel-route/
VELOMARITIME
Starting at Mont-Saint-Michel, the route passes through Normandy’s typical hedgerow rich landscape up to Cherbourg, and then back down the rugged coast of the Cotentin peninsula through all five of the D-Day Landing Beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword and Juno so is perfectly situated for a stay at Le Pressoir.
The route then continues along Normandy’s Côte Fleurie (Flowered Coast) through the pretty seaside resorts of Cabourg, Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur, before heading over the Seine Estuary onto the dramatic Alabaster Coast, and resorts such as Le Havre, Etretat, Fécamp and Dieppe, before ending up in Le Tréport.
The website below details guides, bike rentals, transfers of luggage and personalised trips –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/active-outdoor/cycling-in-normandy/cycling-itineraries/velomaritime-ev4-route/
This video sets the scene –
https://youtu.be/VR-hqGSPruQ
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY CYCLE ROUTES
To provide some family based pedaling inspiration, we’ve selected 3 of the best cycling routes near Le Pressoir for a gentle ride and fun with the family –
FROM CLÉCY TO THURY-HARCOURT
This 40km traffic-free greenway from Clécy to Thury-Harcourt offers a great cycling experience. Whether with family or friends, you’ll escape into the wild of the hilly area known as the Suisse Normande and discover breath-taking natural landscapes.
FROM THE VIADUC DE LA SOULEUVRE TO VIRE
Starting from the Viaduc de la Souleuvre, follow a 17km cycling route towards the market town of Vire. This s a gentle family-friendly ride suitable for riders of all ages, enjoy wide open views from the old viaduct designed by Gustave Eiffel and cross fabulous countryside landscapes and expansive meadows.
FROM LONGUES-SUR-MER TO ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS
This 8km bike ride on greenways starts at Longues-sur-Mer and takes you along a historic journey connecting important D-Day Landings landmarks up to Arromanches-les-Bains, home to the Mulberry Harbour. A perfect combination of seaside scenery and culture, visiting historic D-Day sites at your own pace.
More details of family friendly routes here –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/best-family-friendly-cycling-routes/
BIKE HIRE
Eolia Normandie and Vel’omaha
Just 10 minutes from Le Pressoir at Colleville sur Mer is the Eolia Normandie nature sports centre that offers outdoor activities such as fat biking, kite surfing, Nordic walking and cycling, as well as water sports such as sand yachting, catamaran sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding on the famous Omaha Beach. You can hire a standard, electric or a ‘fat bike’ for cycling along the beach.
In partnership with Eolia is Vel’omaha, an association of partners involved in local tourism, along the maritime bike route between Port-en-Bessin and Isigny-sur-Mer.
You can rent your bikes at different stations and ride the 30 km in several stages, or in one go –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/sports-and-leisure-activities/location-de-velos-station-velomaha-eolia-saint-laurent-sur-mer/
LocVelo
Just 15 minutes from Le Pressoir you’ll find LocVelo where you can hire all types of bikes, all year round: E-bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes, VTCs, children’s bicycles, tandems … but also all the accessories tyou may need: child trailer, baby seat, GPS, bike carrier.
Included in their rental price you’ll be provided with
– Helmet
– Repair kit including anti-puncture spray / inner tube / tyre lever / patches and mini pump
– Front and rear lighting
– Anti-theft lock
Trekking bikes and E-Bikes Trekking Premium are delivered equipped with a front bag including a map holder as well as rear luggage that fits on the luggage rack.
And… They will even deliver your bike to Le Pressoir!
https://www.locvelo.fr/en
BIKE TOURS
If you’d like some local knowledge and guidance then Petite Reine is perfect for you. You’ll discover the region differently, you’ll learn about its history and discover some very special places to stop off as this is the specialism of Hugo’s company, Petite Reine (which literally means Little Queen, a reference to the humble bicycle).
Here are some of Hugo’s different tours:
D-DAY Arromanches – a few hours through the countryside with a local guide to discover coastline of one of the major areas of the Atlantic Wall and the impressive Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches.
D-DAY Omaha – an extraordinary way to discover and understand the best known D-Day Landing Beaches through historical landscapes with free time at the American Military Cemetery.
D-DAY – Overlord E-Bike – an E-bike is the best way to explore and understand the Overlord Operation.
This full day tour leads you to the heart of the Allied zone and the specific D-Day coastal landscapes.
Several breathtaking stops : German Defenses on the top of a cliff overlooking the whole Omaha sector + American Military Cemetery + Omaha Beach
E-Bike food tour – food lovers, this experience is for you! An idyllic E-bike tour around local specialties and tastings! Share and enjoy several stops to discover and savour the best of the French Gastronomie. The E-bike tour to delicious destinations for your 5 senses!
The Best of Normandy – a perfect day between a food tour and the D-Day Beaches. When it’s time to have lunch, with amazing sea views of course, Hugo puts together a traditional picnic with local products, offering essential Norman gastronomy. The red and white checkered tablecloth will be set. The cheese platter (with Camembert and Pont-l’évêque) and the charcuterie will be ready to be enjoyed. And for dessert, you’ll probably have teurgoule, a Norman specialty made using rice and milk, and flavoured with cinnamon. Yummy!
Taste the very best of the region and explore a scenic bike ride with tasty stops for an unforgettable day.
D-DAY Beach + free time on a memory place picnic + cider tasting
On all the tours, a helmet, bottle of water, saddle cover, snack and apple juice is included.
Check out this link for all the details –
https://us.petitereinenormandie.fr/ebike-tours-normandy
And watch this video – it’s in French but you’ll get the picture. It looks fab
https://youtu.be/_sZUNiCKg7c
THE NO PEDAL TOUR
Retro Tour Normandy
Sit back and enjoy the ride as this isn’t your average tour!
Inspired by the original Soviet M72 and it’s most recent incarnation, Retro Tours Normandy bikes may look vintage but they’re modern, comfortable and are great fun. The bikes are just as robust, simple and beautiful as their forebears but have all the modern features modern riding demands: disc brakes and modern suspension all without losing those RETRO looks.
You will be equipped with a “Jet Tricolore” helmet and jackets, gloves and blanket will be at your disposal for your comfort.
Choose from three exclusive tours of 2 hours, half a day, or a full day, and set out to explore the famous D-Day beaches in Normandy in style. Discover iconic sites like the Omaha Beach American cemetery, the German W48 battery, or the artificial harbour of Gold Beach.
I’ll let Sherry tell you all about it –
“While staying at the stunning Le Pressoir de la Vieville, we decided to sign up for the Normandy D-Day Tour offered by Retro Tour.
What an incredible one-of-a-kind experience. We traveled the scenic country roads that witnessed the pivotal moments of June 6, 1944″
“When our tour guides weren’t showcasing their profound historical knowledge of Normandy, Thierry (one of our amazing guides), had my daughter smiling and giggling through each twist and turn in the vintage sidecar. There really is no better way to see the magnificent countryside while immersing oneself in the rich history”
Thanks Sherry, and thank you for sharing your super photos of your tour. We love them and I’d love to give this tour a go myself. https://www.retro-tour.com/normandie/
For a round up on all the cycling fun for your own Tour de Normandy check out the fantastic Normandie Tourisme website –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/active-outdoor/cycling-in-normandy/
And finally, as an added bonus, Normandy is continuing its aim to provide more responsible tourism and promote sustainable travel. Launched this year, the Low Carbon Rate Normandy, highlights and encourages everyone’s efforts. If you’re traveling by bike, train or coach, you’ll be able to benefit from a minimum 10% discount at many of Normandy’s tourist and leisure attractions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s very simple! On arrival at one of the partnering sites, present a dated train ticket, a bus ticket or a photo of your bicycle and benefit from a minimum 10% discount at the site you visit.
https://youtu.be/YJTc_pa8is8
Here’s a link to Normandie Tourisme’s website that will tell you more and you’ll be able to scroll down and see 80 of their partner sites that will give you 10% off your visit –
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/the-normandy-youll-love/car-free-getaways-to-normandy/low-carbon-rate/
Happy Cycling, whether you decide to pedal, have some electrical assistance or go full-on zoom zoom!
Oh, as you know, I like to create a bit of art now again so here is a Bike Love themed canvas original I created for Änkie
#tourdefrance #cycling #TDF2024 #TDF #cyclinglife #tourdenormandy #TourdeNormandie #cyclingnormandy
See you next time, Shu