Bicycling France: Normandy & Brittany

Depart from home for Paris, France. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area; VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Please make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags. This helps the representative identify you.

After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your representative will welcome you to France and arrange for your transfer via taxi or van to our Paris hotel (approximately 60 minutes, depending on traffic). At this time, please verify with your airport representative the time of your transfer tomorrow to Bayeux. If you are delayed in meeting your VBT representative at the CDG Airport, please call 06 72 07 59 24 or 06 15 15 15 25 from within France. Outside of France, call +33 672 07 59 24 or +33 615 15 15 25. Please note: Your hotel room may not be available until 3:00 p.m. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage with the reception desk. Please note for early morning arrivals in Paris, the hotel may charge an early check-in fee if your room is ready before their normal check-in time and this fee will be at your expense if you decide to check-in early.

VBT provides you with City Information that includes information and recommendations for what to see and do in Paris. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring the City of Light on your own.

Hotel: Pullman Paris Bercy

VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby at 8:00 a.m. to join a private coach transfer to Bayeux, departing at 8:30 a.m. If you use your own pedals and saddle, please put them in your carry-on luggage for easy access. Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. Meet your VBT Trip Leaders in Bayeux. They immediately guide you on a short orientation walk through the medieval city to your hotel, where you have a light lunch before a safety and bike-fitting session.

A warm-up ride takes you from your hotel out into the verdant Norman countryside to Longues-sur-Mer, where you view World War II coastal fortifications overlooking the English Channel.

This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome reception, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast (included for Air Package guests only), Lunch, Dinner
Daily Options: 12.3 miles (19.8 km)

After breakfast this morning, you’ll cycle through rolling farmlands and picturesque country villages. Along the way, you might visit a family-run umbrella workshop. This morning’s destination is the coastal town of Arromanches, which played a vital role in the D-Day landings. Here, Allies built one of their famous Mulberry harbors—a portable, temporary structure that helped transfer troops and supplies. The remains can still be seen at low tide. Learn more about the harbor and the landings at the D-Day Museum, which you’ll have time to explore on your own. Another possible independent discovery in this town is Arromanches 360, a circular theater showing a fascinating film about D-Day and its aftermath using wartime footage and modern images. Enjoy lunch on your own in Arromanches—and perhaps even go for a swim in the Channel!

Afterward, you either cycle or shuttle back to the hotel. This afternoon, you may choose to visit Bayeux’s stunning cathedral, consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror. Tonight, you have the night free to enjoy dinner on your own in town.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast
Daily Options: 16.4, 23.1, or 29 miles (26.4, 37.3, or 46.7 km)

This morning, take an invigorating ride—through the verdant countryside and past fragrant orchard fields and old stone farmhouses—to Omaha Beach, perhaps the best-known D-Day landing site. There’ll be free time for lunch here before you join Guillaume Marie, a World War II expert and your local guide. His passion is evident as he leads you along these now-tranquil shores and shares with you the dramatic events that unfolded here. Code-named “Operation Overlord,” the D-Day landings remain the largest military operation in history, and the beaches of Normandy bore the brunt of the invasion. Omaha Beach witnessed the most intense fighting as nearly 7,000 boats hit this coastline, pouring tens of thousands of Allied soldiers onto French shores in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944.

You’ll then cycle the short distance to the American Cemetery, a 170-acre, meticulously landscaped memorial overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. The site contains 9,387 perfectly aligned white crosses and Stars of David marking the graves of the brave American servicemen and women who perished during World War II. Guillaume will again provide insight and answer questions.

After time to ponder these moving sites, you take a shuttle back to Bayeux. Later, you may choose to visit the museum housing the famous 11th-century Bayeux tapestry. One of the most famous tapestries in the Western world, it depicts the Battle of Hastings and the victory of William the Conqueror over King Harold and the English. The embroidery highlights many battle scenes and illustrates other fascinating details about medieval life. You might also wish to visit the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum before dinner on your own this evening.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast
Daily Options: 24 miles (38.7 km)

Pedal out of Bayeux into rural Normandy today for a close-up look at its celebrated fertile pasturelands, dotted with grazing cows, and half-timbered country manors.

You may choose to briefly explore Bayeux’s small Wednesday market where a variety of local producers bring their fruits, vegetables and wares to sell. Your Trip Leaders will purchase a few delicacies for a picnic lunch later today.

Your ride continues along country roads banked by neatly trimmed hedgerows to an apple orchard and cider maker. Since the 1600s, Normandy has been known for its exceptional pommes (apples) and the distinctive beverages they produce, including cider and Calvados, the famous apple brandy named for the region. During your visit, your hosts will demonstrate how their organic apples are harvested, pressed and fermented to produce cider. Of course, you can sample some for yourself! A picnic lunch prepared by your Trip Leaders caps off your visit.

After lunch, you may continue cycling toward the Abbey of Saint-Martin-de-Mondaye. Settled by the Norbertine order from the 13th century, the present abbey and church were entirely rebuilt in the 18th century after the original buildings sustained damage from wars during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The long option continues to the town of Balleroy just in front of the 17th-century Chateau de Balleroy, with gardens by Le Nôtre and owned by the Forbes family.

From here, transfer by coach to Saint-Malo, a beautiful medieval fortified city along Brittany’s coast, the legendary home of French corsairs, or privateers—and your home for the next three nights. Your hotel is located directly on the broad sand beach and the wide seaside promenade leading into the walled Old Town of Saint-Malo, for which your Trip Leaders provide suggestions for dinner. During your stay, you can indulge in several spa and therapy rooms, including an indoor, seawater swimming pool.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Daily Options: 6.7 or 14.2 miles (10.8 or 23 km)

After breakfast, shuttle approximately 40 minutes to Dinan, a fairytale walled city perched high atop a hill on the edge of Brittany. Here, you’ll walk with a local guide along the narrow cobblestone streets of its medieval center, where a splendid Gothic church greets you.

After free time for lunch, reunite with your bike at the town’s riverside port and enjoy a scenic reel along the River Rance. You’ll pause to explore Saint-Suliac, a charming village known for its quintessential granite homes draped with fishing nets. Later this afternoon you have time to enjoy your hotel’s amenities, swim in the ocean weather permitting, or stroll along the promenade. Later, join your Trip Leaders for dinner at an authentic creperie serving the specialty of the region.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Daily Options: 16 or 27.6 miles (25.7 or 44.4 km)

Today’s ride traces the beautifully rugged Brittany coast. Your first stop is the Jacques Cartier Manor House. In 1534, Cartier crossed the Atlantic and sailed up today’s St. Lawrence River as far as modern-day Montreal. After being decorated as the discoverer of Canada, he settled in this house between Saint-Malo and Cancale. Enjoy a visit and short film about this French hero.

Later, you’ll cycle along the coast, admiring sweeping views from Pointe du Grouin before continuing to the tiny fishing port of Cancale, known for its superior huîtres, or oysters. King Louis XIV was reportedly so enamored of these briny bivalves that he had fresh oysters brought daily from Cancale to Versailles. You’ll have the opportunity to taste them for yourself, elbow to elbow with locals, during a visit to an oyster market.

After free time for lunch, return to Saint-Malo on another scenic and splendid ride.

Tonight, gather at your hotel for a special farewell dinner.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Daily Options: 14 or 21.7 miles (22.4 or 35 km)

VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, say goodbye to your VBT Trip Leaders and depart for Paris via one of the most visited monuments in France: Mont Saint-Michel. Upon arrival, meet your local guide at the Tourist Information center. Then, accompany him or her across the causeway to the cone-shaped village in the Gulf of Saint-Malo, resting on an islet like a medieval crown.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island of Saint-Michel is best known for the spectacular and well-preserved Benedictine abbey that sits at its peak. The abbey is surrounded by the winding streets and architecture characteristic of a medieval town. You’ll walk past small houses, shops and street stalls along its outermost perimeter close to shore. Above these stand the 13th-century monastic buildings, outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by the abbey church, which soars roughly 240 feet (73 meters) above sea level.

After free time for lunch on your own, rejoin the shuttle and transfer to your hotel, located near Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris (approximately 4.5 hours, depending on traffic). This evening is free for you to dine in the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy its amenities.

Hotel: Hotel Pullman Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast*, transfer by shuttle train to your departure terminal within Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. The CDGVal Shuttle Train is a complimentary train connecting all terminals and train and bus stations at Charles de Gaulle Airport, running every 4 minutes (daily between 4:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.). The hotel reception can provide exact instructions to your terminal, but please plan to leave the hotel about 3 hours before your flight time for the short walk to the Terminal 3-Roissypole train shuttle station and the short shuttle ride to your correct terminal.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the times when breakfast is served.

Meals: B

VBT-Bicycle-Vacation-only guests: Meet your fellow travelers in the lobby of the Hotel Pullman Paris Bercy at 8:00 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. departure by private coach to Bayeux. If you use your own pedals and saddle, please put them in your carry-on luggage for easy access. Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. If you prefer to make your own way to Bayeux at your own expense, hotel details are listed in your final documents. You will meet your VBT Trip Leaders in the hotel. Please contact this hotel to advise of any travel delays or changes that will cause you to miss our 12:30 p.m. lunch and safety and bike-fitting session, and the staff will pass your message on to your VBT Trip Leaders.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast (included for Air Package guests only), Lunch, Dinner
Daily Options: 12.3 miles (19.8 km)

After breakfast this morning, you’ll cycle through rolling farmlands and picturesque country villages. Along the way, you might visit a family-run umbrella workshop. This morning’s destination is the coastal town of Arromanches, which played a vital role in the D-Day landings. Here, Allies built one of their famous Mulberry harbors—a portable, temporary structure that helped transfer troops and supplies. The remains can still be seen at low tide. Learn more about the harbor and the landings at the D-Day Museum, which you’ll have time to explore on your own. Another possible independent discovery in this town is Arromanches 360, a circular theater showing a fascinating film about D-Day and its aftermath using wartime footage and modern images. Enjoy lunch on your own in Arromanches—and perhaps even go for a swim in the Channel!

Afterward, you either cycle or shuttle back to the hotel. This afternoon, you may choose to visit Bayeux’s stunning cathedral, consecrated in 1077 in the presence of William the Conqueror. Tonight, you have the night free to enjoy dinner on your own in town.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast
Daily Options: 16.4, 23.1, or 29 miles (26.4, 37.3, or 46.7 km)

This morning, take an invigorating ride—through the verdant countryside and past fragrant orchard fields and old stone farmhouses—to Omaha Beach, perhaps the best-known D-Day landing site. There’ll be free time for lunch here before you join Guillaume Marie, a World War II expert and your local guide. His passion is evident as he leads you along these now-tranquil shores and shares with you the dramatic events that unfolded here. Code-named “Operation Overlord,” the D-Day landings remain the largest military operation in history, and the beaches of Normandy bore the brunt of the invasion. Omaha Beach witnessed the most intense fighting as nearly 7,000 boats hit this coastline, pouring tens of thousands of Allied soldiers onto French shores in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944.

You’ll then cycle the short distance to the American Cemetery, a 170-acre, meticulously landscaped memorial overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. The site contains 9,387 perfectly aligned white crosses and Stars of David marking the graves of the brave American servicemen and women who perished during World War II. Guillaume will again provide insight and answer questions.

After time to ponder these moving sites, you take a shuttle back to Bayeux. Later, you may choose to visit the museum housing the famous 11th-century Bayeux tapestry. One of the most famous tapestries in the Western world, it depicts the Battle of Hastings and the victory of William the Conqueror over King Harold and the English. The embroidery highlights many battle scenes and illustrates other fascinating details about medieval life. You might also wish to visit the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum before dinner on your own this evening.

Hotel: Le Lion d’Or
Meals: Breakfast
Daily Options: 24 miles (38.7 km)

Pedal out of Bayeux into rural Normandy today for a close-up look at its celebrated fertile pasturelands, dotted with grazing cows, and half-timbered country manors.

You may choose to briefly explore Bayeux’s small Wednesday market where a variety of local producers bring their fruits, vegetables and wares to sell. Your Trip Leaders will purchase a few delicacies for a picnic lunch later today.

Your ride continues along country roads banked by neatly trimmed hedgerows to an apple orchard and cider maker. Since the 1600s, Normandy has been known for its exceptional pommes (apples) and the distinctive beverages they produce, including cider and Calvados, the famous apple brandy named for the region. During your visit, your hosts will demonstrate how their organic apples are harvested, pressed and fermented to produce cider. Of course, you can sample some for yourself! A picnic lunch prepared by your Trip Leaders caps off your visit.

After lunch, you may continue cycling toward the Abbey of Saint-Martin-de-Mondaye. Settled by the Norbertine order from the 13th century, the present abbey and church were entirely rebuilt in the 18th century after the original buildings sustained damage from wars during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The long option continues to the town of Balleroy just in front of the 17th-century Chateau de Balleroy, with gardens by Le Nôtre and owned by the Forbes family.

From here, transfer by coach to Saint-Malo, a beautiful medieval fortified city along Brittany’s coast, the legendary home of French corsairs, or privateers—and your home for the next three nights. Your hotel is located directly on the broad sand beach and the wide seaside promenade leading into the walled Old Town of Saint-Malo, for which your Trip Leaders provide suggestions for dinner. During your stay, you can indulge in several spa and therapy rooms, including an indoor, seawater swimming pool.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Daily Options: 6.7 or 14.2 miles (10.8 or 23 km)

After breakfast, shuttle approximately 40 minutes to Dinan, a fairytale walled city perched high atop a hill on the edge of Brittany. Here, you’ll walk with a local guide along the narrow cobblestone streets of its medieval center, where a splendid Gothic church greets you.

After free time for lunch, reunite with your bike at the town’s riverside port and enjoy a scenic reel along the River Rance. You’ll pause to explore Saint-Suliac, a charming village known for its quintessential granite homes draped with fishing nets. Later this afternoon you have time to enjoy your hotel’s amenities, swim in the ocean weather permitting, or stroll along the promenade. Later, join your Trip Leaders for dinner at an authentic creperie serving the specialty of the region.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Daily Options: 16 or 27.6 miles (25.7 or 44.4 km)

Today’s ride traces the beautifully rugged Brittany coast. Your first stop is the Jacques Cartier Manor House. In 1534, Cartier crossed the Atlantic and sailed up today’s St. Lawrence River as far as modern-day Montreal. After being decorated as the discoverer of Canada, he settled in this house between Saint-Malo and Cancale. Enjoy a visit and short film about this French hero.

Later, you’ll cycle along the coast, admiring sweeping views from Pointe du Grouin before continuing to the tiny fishing port of Cancale, known for its superior huîtres, or oysters. King Louis XIV was reportedly so enamored of these briny bivalves that he had fresh oysters brought daily from Cancale to Versailles. You’ll have the opportunity to taste them for yourself, elbow to elbow with locals, during a visit to an oyster market.

After free time for lunch, return to Saint-Malo on another scenic and splendid ride.

Tonight, gather at your hotel for a special farewell dinner.

Hotel: Grand Hotel des Thermes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Daily Options: 14 or 21.7 miles (22.4 or 35 km)

VBT-Bicycle-Vacation-only guests: You are welcome to join our full-day transfer to the Air Package hotel at Roissy, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. This transfer includes a visit to Mont Saint-Michel, the spectacular abbey-crowned island that is one of the most coveted destinations in France. You will arrive at the hotel at around 5:30 p.m. Or you may make your arrangements to leave the Grand Hotel des Thermes on your own; checkout time is 11:00 a.m. Trains depart from Saint-Malo to Paris Montparnasse or Paris CDG Airport via Rennes. You are responsible for all transfer arrangements. We recommend you ask your VBT Trip Leaders or the hotel for assistance in making any travel reservations at least one day in advance.

Meals: Breakfast