These places will make an impression on you. From D-Day beaches to bountiful orchards, windswept plateaus and storybook villages. Iconic settings will stir your emotions, while the sheer beauty of your surroundings will spark your joie de vivre. Brittany and Normandy are a rare blend of history and natural splendor.
Day 1 Journey along the coast through two of France's most intriguing regions,starting in an area of Normandy beloved for its cider and cheeses | Ride along quiet wooded roads through the Cerisy forest | Step back in time during a visit to the splendid 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry | Take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape as you pass apple orchards, rolling pastures and peaceful woodland.
Day 2 Savor breathtaking vistas of hallowed beaches and rugged shoreline as you ride to Omaha Beach | A local historian leads us on a private tour of Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery, with its 9,387 white marble markers standing in perfect rows, telling a story of heroism and sacrifice | Spin to the shattered bunkers of the German stronghold Pointe du Hoc, set atop a cliff between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach | Beautiful Bayeux, the first French town to be liberated by the Allies.
Day 3 Explore the historic battery at Longues-sur-Mer, an impressive display of intact German defenses | In coastal Arromanches, behold the ruins of artificial ports constructed to aid in the D-Day invasion | Admire an impressive Renaissance château | Relax at an elegant hotel surrounded by 60 acres of parkland with forest trails perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Day 4 The magical island monastery and cathedral of Mont-St-Michel, an iconic European pilgrimage center and World Heritage site | Savor the stunning French countryside as you spin on quiet back roads through tranquil villages and bustling oceanside towns | The fortified city of St-Malo greets you with unparalleled sea views.
Days 5-6 As you enjoy rolling rural rides and traditional Breton towns, a stop at a crêperie is a must | Pass through St-Suliac, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (France's Most Beautiful Villages) and pedal along La Rance Estuary | In charming Dinan, discover a lovely maze of cobblestone lanes, 13th-century half-timbered houses, art galleries and shops featuring handmade lace | Greet your final morning with one last ride to Cancale, the oyster capital of Brittany.
Had an amazing time cruising through the beautiful french countryside, taking in literally hundreds of years of history from 1066 through to the Normandy landings, by way of Mont St. Michel and a host of other wonderful places too numerous to fit in here. Plenty of time to really relax too, the leaders were exceptional at figuring out just what everyone needed (and wanted!)Highly recommended way to see this part of France.- Vaucluse, France
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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A gracious 18th-century château nestled amid the trees just outside the historic center of Bayeux.
Set amid exquisite gardens, a grand 18th-century estate with period furnishings. (pool)
A Second Empire villa set in the heart of Brittany with easy access to the beach and to the region's best sights.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
Had an amazing time cruising through the beautiful french countryside, taking in literally hundreds of years of history from 1066 through to the Normandy landings, by way of Mont St. Michel and a host of other wonderful places too numerous to fit in here. Plenty of time to really relax too, the leaders were exceptional at figuring out just what everyone needed (and wanted!)
Highly recommended way to see this part of France.
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
This was my first bike trip and I can't say enough good things about Backroads. The route was great with lots of options each day for enjoyable and well-paced rides, and the variety of activities was superb, from the biking to the meals and the historical and cultural experiences (and it was serendipitous to be at Omaha Beach on D-Day itself; that made it even more meaningful). The guides were great: they were fun companions and fonts of information, and were clearly always thinking about little touches to enhance our experience, like surprising us with fresh oysters and treats as we were biking. It was a perfect way to get to know a gorgeous and fascinating part of France.
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
It was a fantastic trip. It exceeded my expectations in every way.
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
Given what we had heard about Backroads from our friends, the trip met every expectation and then some! Our guides were excellent and worked very well together. And they could not have been more fun to be with! The accommodations were fantastic, considering they were described as casual inns. I would recommend an extra night or two in Saint-Malo at the beginning or end of the tour.
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
From start to finish, the week in Brittany was an exceptional experience in every way. The biking was incredible with knowledgeable leaders, cultural guides and support team who catered to everyone's preferences. Wonderful hotels, handpicked lunch spots and amazing experiences along the way (from D-day beaches to quaint little towns tucked away in rolling hills) that immersed us in the local culture. This was my first Backroads trip - and i'm hooked. A truly wonderful vacation!
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
All our guides were knowledgeable, helpful, fun and did everything they could to make the trip perfect. The ride itself was manageable for the whole family. The villages and sights we saw were historical and interesting. The hotels or chateaus were stayed in were beautiful and clean, excellent food also.
Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
The accommodations and food were excellent. The activities in this historic part of France with respect to World War II were engaging and certainly made one pause to reflect. The routes were excellent with the destinations beautiful. I really enjoyed the roads and the hospitality of the French people. However I think the best thing about my backroads trip were the leaders. They were knowledgible, a lot of fun, and always there when needed!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour:
From a historical perspective, this trip is exceptional!!! Great lectures, great rides, great lodgings, great interaction with other guests and great food. I did not ride but my husband did. I rode in the vans with the guides. They could not have accommodated me better to keep up and meet my husband at every stop. I would recommend Backroads whether you ride a bike or not.
Displaying reviews 1-8
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 16* | 800 | 23 | 1000 | ||||||
| 2 | 23* | 800 | 35* | 1300 | 52 | 2000 | ||||
| 31* | 1100 | |||||||||
| 3 | 12* | 400 | 22* | 800 | 28* | 1100 | 37 | 1500 | ||
| 4 | 6* | 300 | 18 | 600 | 25 | 700 | ||||
| Guided Tour of Mont-St-Michel (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 21* | 1000 | 26* | 1400 | 36* | 2100 | 48 | 2500 | ||
| 6 | 17 | 800 | ||||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
We avoid the obvious, tourist-oriented lodgings along the coast, staying instead at an intimate hotel in Brittany where our hosts make you feel right at home – and then a pair of 18th-century castles in Normandy where we're treated like royalty.
We design and support our Brittany and Normandy trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in Brittany and Normandy. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
Our Trip Leaders in Brittany and Normandy live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this Casual Inns trip includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
