These places will move you. They already have. You're reading this because you need to know more. Not just by what a book or the latest Hollywood epic can tell you, but by witnessing them for yourself. France is full of significant spots, but Brittany and Normandy are heroic. And you may know the history, but biking along the coastline and standing next to the bunkers and gun posts at Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc make everything you've heard real. Brittany and Normandy are that rare blend of history and natural beauty. They're full of stories and emotions. Feel free to take some back with you.
Days 1-2 Explore World War II battle sites and memorials,
including the shattered bunkers of the German stronghold, Pointe du Hoc 
Spin through the gently cultivated Calvados département past rugged cliffs and iconic beaches À votre santé! Cider replaces wine in your Kir Normand, an aperitif unique to the region Join a local historian for a private tour of Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery, where 9,386 white marble markers stand in perfect rows.
Day 3 Bike rolling country roads along dramatic windswept coastline
Discover Arromanches and the remains of a port built for the D-Day Invasion Past and present collide in the beautifully preserved town of Bayeux, home to the impressive 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry.
Day 4 The island monastery and cathedral of Mont-St-Michel
Lively shops and cafés at the base of the isle invite you in before you retrace the final steps of the centuries-old pilgrimage to the majestic summit Stroll the ramparts of St-Malo for stellar views of the coast.
Days 5-6 A journey through two of France's most intriguing regions
Leaving Normandy behind, get to know the famed Emerald Coast of Brittany, lined with enchanting fishing villages and striking sandstone cliffs Sweet or savory? A stop at a Breton crêperie is a must Visit Dinan, a walled medieval port town perched above the Rance River.
Trip Highlights
- A journey through two of France's most intriguing regions
- World War II battle sights and memorials
- Bike rolling country roads along must-see beaches
- A private tour of the American Military Cemetery with a local historian
- The magical island monastery and cathedral of Mont-St-Michel
Premiere Inns
Château la Chenevière (2 nights): A "relaxing 18th-century honey-colored château-hotel surrounded by rose gardens…minutes from Omaha Beach," according to Andrew Harper. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, tennis)
Château d'Audrieu (1 night): Set amid exquisite gardens, a grand 18th-century estate enhanced by Michelin-starred cuisine and period furnishings. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
Chateau Richeux (2 nights): Quiet elegance reigns at this lovely historic 1920s stone mansion with an orchard and breathtaking views of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel. A Relais & Châteaux member.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 18 miles
- 300 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 36, 46 miles
- 200 - 400 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 27, 43 miles
- 260 - 350 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 27, 40 miles
- 20 - 250 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 17, 27, 55 miles
- 350 - 380 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 18 miles
- 200 foot elevation gain
Routes 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 | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/10-15 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/12-17 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/2-7 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/16-21 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/30-10/5 Price: $4198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $970 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
The itinerary was awesome and so meaningful and touching with all that we saw of the Normandy Invasion....It made history come alive for us, even though it was at times heart wrenching to think about all that happened there. The local guides were EXCELLENT! We wish we could have had more time with Andre Heinz! The Bayeaux Tapestry was another highlight!!!! Mont-St-Michel was awesome to see....Our family all had such a great time and can't wait to go on another Backroads trip.- Brawley, CA
What a fantastic way to see Normandy! I came with my parents because we have long wanted to see the WWII invasion site, and Backroads delivered! Our trip leaders were wonderful about getting us as much information as they could and gearing that information toward our interests. Northern France is wonderfully charming, and I really enjoyed so many aspects of it: the history, the cuisine, the calvdos culture and the little towns. One thing I love about Backroads is the effort you all put into finding the little spots that I would never find on my own. You are indespensible in that regard, which is why my family calls your company "Crackroads."- Houston, TX
WOW! This was our first Backroads trip and all I can say is that it will not be our last. Just the combination of exercising, eating amazing food, staying in the best hotels and experiencing history all at the same time was heaven for me. I am not the strongest bike rider and was actually nervous about all the riding. But the van support was excellent and gave me the confidence to bike without worrying about getting too tired. The lodging and food were amazing - probably the best my husband and I have ever experienced. And the people we met on the trip were terrific. We will definitely stay in touch with many of the people from this trip. It's hard to come home but my memories of my Backroads trip will last for a long time.- Westport, CT
Trip involved a wonderful integration of history and culture, using the biking, eating, and trip guides as applicable vehicles to learn about each. As a result, I felt that I came away with a much better sense of the area that I had visited than if I had traveled on my own.- Cleveland, OH