Historical route flyer

Major sites
not to be missed on your route...
Situated within the limits of The Regional Nature Park of The
Cotentin and Bessin Marshes, Utah Beach entered the history
books one Tuesday in June 1944. 836,000 men took part in this
military and technical campaign. Traces are still visible on the
beach, but the most precious souvenirs are kept in the museum,
which is built around a former blockhouse.
Arromanches and Port-en-Bessin
On 6th June 1944, 4126 ships landed on the beaches of Normandy,
taking the Germans by surprise. Two harbours played a strategic role
during the landings: the petroleum harbour of Port-en-Bessin, and the
artificial harbour of Arromanches. The latter, built for the resupplying
of the Allies, was a technical prowess devised by Winston Churchill.
Vestiges of the harbour – also known as the Mulberry harbour - are
still visible from the coast of Bessin.
Bayeux
Bayeux, first town to be liberated by the Allies, was miraculously
spared during the battle. A leisurely stroll through this charming
medieval city will lead you to two gems: the cathedral and the
Bayeux Tapestry, listed “Memory of the World” by UNESCO.
The Cotentin marshes
The Regional Nature Park of The Cotentin and Bessin Marshes consists
of 67,000 acres of marshes and polders within a landscape of natural
wetland. Pasture for grazing or fodder crops, laid out in a grid lined by
ditches and dotted with peat bogs characterise this wetland, bordering
the sea on one side and the Cotentin on the other.
Le Viaduc de la Souleuvre
Built between 1887 and 1889 from plans prepared by Eiffel, this
viaduct is 62.5 metres high. Damaged during the Second World War,
only the pillars have survived. In 1990 a world renowned bungee jump
organiser, A.J.Hackett built a 140 metre long walkway so as to be able
to provide his adrenalin activities.
The Mont-Saint-Michel
A major pilgrimage site from the 8th to the 18th centuries, the
Benedictine abbey of the Mont-Saint-Michel represents one
of the most remarkable examples of both religious and military
architecture of medieval times. Finally if Mont-Saint-Michel is
renowned for his historical value, the surrounding bay is famous
for an extraordinarily rich biodiversity. The mudflats and saltmarsh
which stretch into the far distance are home to many birds.
Port-en-Bessin (14520)
Office de Tourisme de Port-en-Bessin
Tel. +33 (0) 2 31 22 45 80
www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com
www.bessin-normandie.com
Avranches (50300)
Office de Tourisme d’Avranches
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 58 00 22
www.avranches.fr
Carentan (50500)
Office de Tourisme de la Baie du Cotentin
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 71 23 50
www.ot-baieducotentin.fr
Sainte-Mère Eglise (50 480)
Office de Tourisme de la Baie du Cotentin
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 21 00 33
www.ot-baieducotentin.fr
Bayeux (14400)
Office de Tourisme de Bayeux
Tel. +33 (0) 2 31 51 28 28
www.bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com
www.bessin-normandie.com
Saint-Côme-du-Mont (50500)
near Carentan
Maison du Parc naturel regional des
Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 71 65 30
www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouët (50600)
Office de Tourisme
de Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouët
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 79 38 88
www.st-hilaire.fr
Saint-Lô (50010)
Office de Tourisme
de Saint-Lô Agglomeration
Tel. +33 (0) 2 14 29 00 17
www.saint-lo-agglo.fr
Ducey (50220)
Office de Tourisme de Ducey
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 60 21 53
www.ducey-tourisme.com
Le Mont-Saint-Michel (50170)
Office de Tourisme du Mont Saint-Michel
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 60 14 30
www.ot-montsaintmichel.com
Mortain (50140)
Office de Tourisme du Mortainais
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 59 19 74
www.mortain-tourisme.fr
Les Roches de Ham (Ham Rocks)
A 100 metres high, the siliceous escarpment of Ham Rocks
dominates the Vire Valley with its meanders snaking through the
Saint-Lois woodlands. Moorland, dry heathland, hanging woods,
cavities, crevices, wetland, and water courses shelter a multitude
of species and give a natural wealth to this oldest listed site in the
department.
Sourdeval (50150)
Office de Tourisme du Mortainais
Tel. +33 (0) 2 33 79 35 61
www.sourdevaltourisme.fr
Arromanches (14117)
Office de Tourisme d’Arromanches
Tel. +33 (0) 2 31 22 36 45
www.ot-arromanches.fr
www.bessin-normandie.com
DISCOVER
HISTORY AND HERITAGE cycling…
Villers-Bocage (14310)
Office de tourisme du Bocage Normand
Tel. +33 (0) 2 31 77 16 14
www.bocage-normand.com
from D-DAY LANDING BEACHES
to MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
Vire (14500)
Office de Tourisme
du Bocage Normand
Tel. +33 (0) 2 31 66 28 50
www.bocage-normand.com
143 miles
or118 miles è
HISTORICAL trails
scenic trails
(3 possible starting points)
coastal trails
Cherbourg
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
Port-en-Bessin
Arromanches
Caen
6
Useful information
Stages
To plan your stay and find out more :
www.dday-montsaintmichel-bybike.com
If you would like to find out about
other cycle routes in Normandy,
check out our brochures online:
•
•
•
•
Calvados by bike: www.calvados-tourisme.com
Manche by bike: www.mancherandonnee.com
Orne by bike: www.randonnee-normandie.com
Cycling in Normandy: www.normandy-tourism.org/cycling
NORMANDY REGIONAL TOURIST BOARD
14, rue Charles Corbeau - 27000 ÉVREUX
www.normandy-tourism.org
,
Rouen
MontSaintMichel
impressionist trails
© Photos : G.Wait/CDT14 - D. Commenchal/CDT61 - S. Fautré/CDT50
N. Girard/CDT50 - S. Barrault/CDT50 - B. Canu/CDT50 -Th.Houyuel- OT Bayeux - X
Utah Beach
CYCLING IN NORMANDY
Useful addresses
to plan your stay…
of the route
to download
,
Cycling trail
DISTANCE
143 miles
starting from
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
HISTORY and HERITAGE
or
118 miles
D-Day Landing Beaches è Mont-Saint-Michel
Ferrie
Ports s
Cherbmouth
ourg
6 stages of the route
available for download
outh-O
Utah Beach
v
élo
4
T
o ur
Sainte-Mère
Église
Sainte-Marie
-du-Mont
Stage 1
13.5 mi
Each sheet includes:
- A detailed map stage by stage
- Must-see sights
- Useful information
- Accommodation “Accueil vélo”
s
Ferriem
a
uistreh
Eu
ro
Omaha Beach
Gold Beach
d e Manche
Juno Beach
Stage 1 bis
9 mi
Regional Nature Park
of The Cotentin and Bessin
Marshes
Stage 2
28 mi
Mont-Saint-Michel
122
starting from
Port-en-Bessin
or Arromanches
Portsm
Cherbourg
Plages du débarquement
73
Sword Beach
Ouistreham
Tilly-sur-Seulles
Stage 2 bis
23 mi
Villers-Bocage
Stage 3
30 mi
Stage 3 bis
15 mi
Viaduc de la Souleuvre
Stage 4
32 mi
Stage 6
19 mi
Stage 5
18 mi
N
6 miles
Sourdeval
Green ways
Saint-Hilaire
du-Harcouët
Pontorson
Shared route
Vé los cenie
Other cycling trail
Visit us at
www.dday-montsaintmichel-bybike.com