Normandy on Foot

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8 Days From

~~$1518~~

$1449

Normandy on Foot

8 Days Starting in Deauville and ending in Bayeux

Visiting: France

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

NOF

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 15

Physical rating:

moderate

From:

$1518

$1449 Exclusive Members Discount: -$68

NB: Prices correct on 08-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

The rolling hills of Normandy, where pretty villages of half timbered houses are interspersed with apple orchards and fields of grazing cows, provides an inspiring backdrop to this food focused walking holiday through the Pays d'Auge of Lower Normandy. The journey begins in Deauville, the holiday playground of wealthy Parisians from the 1800's and heads through the calvados heartland where tastings of calvados and cider are an essential part of the local experience, as are visits to the cellars and pressing sheds. The walking route continues north west to the Seine estuary and the historic town of Honfleur with its impressive harbour and art traditions. Continuing to the coast the walking route takes in the historic sites of World War II, including the German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer and Omaha Beach where the Allied Invasion took place, and the American War Cemetery at Colleville-sur Mer. Bayeux, with its impressive cathedral, historic buildings and the famous tapestry of William the Conqueror, is a fitting end point to this walking journey in Normandy. At night soak up the atmosphere in specially chosen hotels and B&Bs where your hosts will offer further insights into this fascinating region.

Highlights

Exploring Honfleur with its pretty harbour and array of sights
Tasting calvados, cider, delectable cheeses, pastries etc.
Discovering the Normandy countryside on foot
Visiting the D-Day sights and viewing the incredible tapestry at Bayeux
Experiencing the boardwalk in Deauville

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Deauville / Trouville

Arrive in Deauville, a 2 hour direct train ride from Paris. The complimenting towns of Trouville, an old fishing village and Deauville, a modern town, are separated by the Touques River. While Trouville has a strong fishing industry and traditions together with a lively atmosphere in the evening with lots of restaurants, Deauville is a new town built in the middle of the 19th Century by wealthy Parisians who arrived with the first train link between Paris and the Normandy coast. The town boasts two horse racecourses, a polo ground, hundreds of stunning villas and the well-known boardwalk along the 4km long beach. Overnight Deauville or Trouville.

Day 2 : Loop Walk From Deauville/Trouville (1-3Hrs)

Meals Included: B

An easy start to your walking holiday in Normandy with the choice of walking loop. This can be curated according to your interests. Return to your hotel.
Distance walked: approx 8.8km/5.5mi

Day 3 : Walk To Honfleur Via The Villages Of Villerville And Criqueboeuf (3-4.5Hrs)

Meals Included: B

After breakfast at around 9am you will have a personal orientation meeting with our representative.
The route this morning heads northwest towards the Seine Estuary. Ambling through the coastal villages of Villerville and Criqueboeuf, there is plenty of opportunity to visit beaches and take in the coastal scenes. On the way, you have the opportunity to do a tasting in a local brewery in the village of Pennedepie, famous for their cider and apple brandy (Calvados). Later you arrive Honfleur, a small medieval town, revealing her riches to all those who take the time to look. The history of the town is evident. The Old Dock surrounded by picturesque narrow houses, the churches of St Catherine, St Etienne, St Leonard, the Lieutenance, the old Salt Stores, and medieval cobbled streets are all highlights. Honfleur is also recognised as one of the cradles of Impressionism and a favourite place of many artists. Overnight Honfleur.
Distance walked: 17.4km/10.8mi
Note: option to shorten with a transfer in the morning to either Villerville or Criqueboeuf.

Day 4 : Discover Honfleur On Foot (2 Or 4.5Hrs)

Meals Included: B

Todays walk is all about discovering Honfleur. A visit of the old town is highly recommended and we suggest a 2 hour walk to take in its many attractions. Discover Impressionist museum and art galleries revealing the towns strong traditions in art and history. There is also a longer walk and down to the villages
of Pennedepie and Barneville La Bertran where you can visit an estate with tastings of cider, calvados and other local delicacies.
Honfleur was a strategic port before becoming an important trading harbour in the XVIth. During the XVIIth century, Honfleur was the starting point for many navigators for the new world; to Brazil, and Quebec… From that rich past, almost everything is preserved; Churches, the old port, bell-tower, ware-houses, 4 and 5 hundred years old buildings, cobblestone streets far too small for cars! Overnight Honfleur.
Distance walked: 18.6km/12mi, shorter options available

Day 5 : Transfer To Caen Plain, Walk To Port En Bessin (4-6Hrs)

Meals Included: B

This morning you will be transferred to the Caen plain and the landing beaches. You can choose to be dropped off at a village near Creully for a longer walk or at the famous artificial harbour of Arromanches (approx 1hr).
The longer walk takes you to Gold Beach where you have an excellent view from the cliff over the harbour at Arromanches. It was in Arromanches that the Allies set up a harbour using sunken barges to supply the D-Day troops. Today the barges are still visible on the beach and in the sea, and there is an excellent museum to visit. Nearby, is the main German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer which you reach as you walk past Mulberry harbour and along the cliff. After visiting this strategic position with its tanks and bunkers, continue on to the fishing village of Port en Bessin and your hotel on the harbour.
Distance walked: 14 or 21km/8.7mi or 13mi

Day 6 : Loop Walk To The Impressive American War Cemetery And Omaha Beach (3-6Hrs)

Meals Included: B

Today's loop walk takes you further west to Colleville-sur-Mer and the impressive American War cemetery. From here you can walk down to Omaha Beach and then follow the trail back through farming land. If you don't feel like doing the walk back, you can book a taxi for about 30 euros (organised locally). Overnight Port en Bessin.
Distance walked: 13 with taxi or 21km/8.1 or 13mi

Day 7 : Walk To Bayeux Via The Bessin Area (5.5Hrs)

Meals Included: B

Today's walk takes you through the heart of the Bessin area with orchards, green pastures and great granite mansions and manors. Arrive at the British War cemetery of Bayeux and the Commonwealth memorial, and the beautiful centre of Bayeux. There's lots to see including the impressive cathedral, historic houses and don't miss the famous tapestry depicting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The local cuisine is superb - a local favourite is the galette, a savoury crepe made with buckwheat and filled with a range of different ingredients, or the tubs of mussels which are full of flavour. Overnight Bayeux.
Distance walked: 17.6km/11mi

Day 8 : Trip Concludes

Meals Included: B

The trip concludes after breakfast. We can assist with booking an extra night on request.

What's Included

Accommodation
7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels and B&Bs
7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (discount available for 2 to 3 star hotels)
7 breakfasts - breakfast is continental style with bread, croissant, cheese, spreads, tea, coffee and juice. Some hotels will have a wider selection of food items.
Information pack per room booked, including maps & route notes with details of cider and calvados tasting opportunities
Private transfers on day 3 and day 5
Luggage transfers
Orientation meeting on day 3 at the hotel - 9am
Emergency hotline
Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
Visitor tax

What's Not Included

Transport to Deauville and depart from Bayeux
Lunches, dinners, and drinks
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls
Travel insurance - mandatory
Tour guide - this is a self guided walk
Entrance fees
Travel to Deauville and from Bayeux
Meals not listed as included, drinks
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
Excess Luggage
Hotel taxes if applicable – payable directly to the hotel
Items of a personal nature
Travel to Trouville-Deauville and from Bayeux

Grading

This trip involves 6 days walking between 4km and 21km per day over undulating terrain. The route travels along quiet trails through the countryside. At times you will need to walk on small roads. We recommend that you undertake some pre trip training to ensure you get the most out of your walk. Most stages can be shortened. During the walk you need only carry your mobile phone and water bottle etc. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels.

Accommodation

7 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels and B&Bs
On this trip you can stay in either 2-3 star hotels and B&Bs (discount applies) or 3-4 star hotels, and you need to specify your requirements on booking. The price is dependent on the category of accommodation you choose. The hotels have been specially chosen for their character and location.

What You Carry

As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

C. Peden(Washington, USA)

Normandy on Foot

Relatively easy (moderate?) walk through beautiful

Relatively easy (moderate?) walk through beautiful countryside of Normandy. First 3 walk days are a bit more up and down through more countryside vistas. Next two are on the Normandy coast with the last one returning to countryside again (albeit different than earlier). The Normandy coast portions were most meaningful to me but loved the whole trip. While it was different to not be all one night 'point-to-point' walking, it was nice to have 2 nights in each location and the circular walks had only minimal retracing of 'steps'.

S. Tischler(Vermont, USA)

Normandy on Foot

An amazing way to experience the Normandy region,

An amazing way to experience the Normandy region, it’s people and places. Our accommodations were terrific, the paths and countryside beautiful, and the arrival by foot down on to Omaha Beach profound. Thank you for creating this unique and unforgettable experience.

S. Johnston(Australia)

Normandy on Foot

Walk was well organised.

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Tuesday - Tuesday

Jun 11, 2024 - Jun 18, 2024

~~$1607~~ $1534