Normandy by Bike: Carentan to Mont-Saint-Michel

Following check-in at your hotel in Carentan, set out to explore the town center and marina. Carentan, a small rural town in Normandy, was the site of the famous Battle of Carentan during WWII.

Hop on your bike for your first day of exploring history-packed Normandy by bike. Your cycling tour kicks off with a gripping visit to Utah Beach, where you’ll take in the monumental shoreline that saw the landings of the American soldiers on WWII’s infamous D-Day.

Following a captivating historical encounter at Utah Beach, you’ll complete the loop with a scenic section through the Nature Park of Cotentin and Bessin Marshes, returning to Carentan.

Fuel-up with a hearty breakfast before hopping on your bike for a challenging but rewarding day of cycling! Today you’ll cover the longest distance of the tour (66km) as you ride from Carentan to Saint-Lô.

Pedalling quiet back roads, you’ll first ride through the marshes of Cotentin before linking the greenway in Saint-Fromond. Then, tracing the pretty river Vire, you’ll reach Saint-Lô.

Saint-Lô is yet another site of historical importance, as the Battle of Saint-Lô, one of the three Battle of the Hedgerows conflicts was fought here in July 1944. Today Saint-Lô has been restored to its former glory and boasts several historical sites, including ancient ramparts and towers, all set in the picturesque Vire Valley.

Today’s marvellous route unfolds on the greenway along the River Vire, guiding you to Pont-Farcy. The route grants you spectacular views of the Vire Valley from the Roches de Ham and will also introduce you to the world of river locks and dams.

From Pont-Farcy, you’ll navigate a towpath through typical bocage (woodlands and pastures) that line the river, creating a true natural oasis to enjoy your ride in. Continue through pretty woods and gently rolling hills, revelling in the stunning views over the gorges of the Vire, until you reach the Viaduct de la Souleuvre.

From the viaduct, you’ll continue on the greenway to Vire, an ancient walled city built in the 12th century by the Duke of Normandy. Today Vire is especially well-known for its local charcuterie, “Andouille de Vire”—enjoy!

Picking up the greenway again this morning just a few kilometres west of Vire, you’ll pedal south, enjoying gentle hills to Sourdeval. Hop off your bike at the hiker/cyclist shelter here and refresh the legs with a snack and a stretch before continuing up to Mortain.

Mortain is home to beautiful waterfalls and enveloped in breathtaking countryside. It’s also a town steeped in rich history and tradition.

Cycle to Romagny this morning, then take the greenway that crosses the Mont-Saint-Michel bay county, tracing the curves of the wild River Sélune. Enjoy the breathtaking scenes of lush green river valleys as you cruise past the villages of Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and Isigny-le-Buat to reach today’s destination, Ducey.

Ducey is a lovely small village made up of pretty groves and hinterland and set on the picturesque banks of the Saline River.

With the rivers Sée and Sélune as your steadfast guides, depart Ducey this morning, riding to the town of Pontaubault where you'll exit the greenway. Enjoy a peaceful ride along quiet country roads that offer superb views of the bay and Mont-Saint-Michel in the distance.

The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, which seemingly juts up from the sea, is a sight straight from a storybook! The 10th-century abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France's most visited cultural sites. The site was a significant pilgrim's destination as early as the 9th and 10th centuries and was later used as a prison (closed in 1863), returning to a site of Christian worship in 1922.

Enjoy your time in Mont-Saint-Michel, devouring fascinating history with visits to the ancient abbey and the town's museums. Tonight, enjoy your final dinner of the tour with a toast to beautiful Normandy and a fabulous week spent cycling its majestic landscapes!

Following breakfast this morning, your cycling tour in Normandy comes to an end. Check out of your accommodations and depart for the airport. Au revoir!