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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 5

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
  • $4,398 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,070 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Caen, France/St-Malo, France

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
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801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

Early Booking Savings
$500 per Couple
Rollover the list of dates
for savings on
select departures.

Brittany Normandy Biking

Brittany & Normandy Family Biking

Pedal the Historic Coast and Tranquil Farmland

Behind northwestern France’s understated beauty lie innumerable stories from its historic past. Ancient monasteries and wartime battlefields are all visual testaments to the many chapters that make up the fascinating history of Brittany and Normandy—and are just some of the reasons why these two destinations are so perfect for families. Join us for a pedal across this timeless landscape, with its dramatic windswept coastline, undulating pastureland, sleepy rural villages and sun-splashed orchards. Explore colorful towns and vibrant marketplaces, visit stunning Mont-St-Michel, and pay homage to heroism at inspiring World War II memorials. Adults will delight in experiencing the region’s penchant for luxury with its decadent cuisine and elegant inns. And for kids, a visit here is a history lesson come to life, a unique experience that simply can’t be duplicated in any classroom.

View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

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Days 1-2 Port-en-Bessin

Meet in Caen Enjoy lunch in a lovely setting in the town of Balleroy (once known for its hot-air balloon events) and then bike to the site of a working water mill Warm up your cycling muscles on a route through hedgerow-lined fields, farms and forests  A ride along the coast provides breathtaking views of historic beaches and rugged shoreline Visit D-Day landmarks and memorials such as Omaha Beach, the American Military Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc for insight into World War II  Kids join a Backroads leader for a fun-filled afternoon while adults tackle more miles or enjoy some downtime.

Day 3 Audrieu

In medieval Bayeux, view the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot-long embroidered "storybook" depicting the Norman invasion of England Visit the Cathédral Notre-Dame, where the tapestry was first hung in 1077 There's time for a dip in our château's pool or to wander the forested trails nearby  Kids get their own special dinner in town while adults savor an unforgettable meal in the Michelin-starred dining room.

Days 4-6 Cancale

Rise with the sun for an early-morning exploration of Mont-St-Michel Guests young and older will marvel at this fairy-tale-like island monastery and cathedral, built out of the rocks and towering above the tides of the bay Weather permitting, kids can try their hand at kart sailing (a go-kart with a sail)  Inhale the bracing salt air as you pedal the rolling terrain of the Côte d’Émeraude (Emerald Coast) to Cancale Kids learn the art of glass blowing  Fit in one last ride along the coast and through the countryside before shuttling to St-Malo.

Guest Trip Reviews

It's the unexpected, the shared moving moment, the "you had to be there" story that makes a Backroads family vacation such an unforgettable experience. The fabulous locations, well-planned routes and superb guides don't hurt - but you'll go home remembering the time we all played foosball soaking wet.
Janis Hashe - United Parenting Publications

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Brittany and Normandy tour experts. For biking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.

Brittany & Normandy Family Biking

THE GOOD LIFE: Premiere Inns

La Cheneviere

Port-en-Bessin (2 nights): Classically elegant, this four-star Normandy château, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is in a tranquil setting close to the beaches of Normandy.

Chateau d'Audrieu

Audrieu (1 night): Set amid exquisite gardens and parkland, this 18th-century estate, a Relais & Châteaux member, is enhanced by period furnishings and wondrous Michelin-starred cuisine.

Grand Hotel Barriere

Dinard (2 nights):

With warm, inviting décor and mesmerizing coastal views, this hotel pampers guests with a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness center, Turkish baths and a casino.

 

Brittany & Normandy Family Biking Brittany & Normandy Family Biking

La Cheneviere

View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.

Brittany & Normandy Family Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 18 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 19, 36, 46 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 19, 27, 43 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 1 to 5  2 Route Options Available
  • 20, 56 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • 14, 40, 56 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 19 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

Brittany & Normandy Family Biking Brittany & Normandy Family Biking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours
10-20
miles
2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours
21-30
miles
5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours
31-40
miles
7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours
41-55
miles
9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours
56-75+
miles
11-13+
miles