Luxurious cycle touring holidays in Normandy, France

Cycling is one of the greenest activities there is - it's good for you too. Touring Normandy on a self-guided, circular holiday is a great way to experience all that the regions have to offer -peaceful rural lanes, stunning beaches in Normandy, cycling by beautiful rivers on flat cycle paths in both the Ardennes and Normandy whilst not forgetting the history, ancient and modern.

We know that your leisure time is important to you and we pride ourselves on that personal attention we have given to your holiday to make sure that all aspects live up to your dreams.

With a rich tradition of cycling you'll find the welcome for cyclists in France is second to none. English is widely understood which helps, but why not be brave and try out your French !

You don't have to be a Tour de France cyclist to enjoy Normandy with French Pedals. We have used our experience and knowledge to offer easy-going, leisurely tours across this beautiful and lesser-cycled region of Normandy - our specially-selected circular tours link the beautiful towns of Bayeaux, Carentan, St Lo and Caen.

Here's an example itinerary for our 3 night / 4 day cycling tour in Normandy:

> Day 1: Bayeux is a truly splendid place to explore. After checking in at your hotel you could take in the world famous Tapestry, or the magnificent Cathedrale Notre Dame

> Day 2 - 31 miles: Off to the coast today as you take to the lanes after a good breakfast. Stop off at Port-en-Bessin, and optionally continue to Omaha Beach or maybe even to Pointe du Hoc, or cycling along the coast to Arromanches - les Bains.

> Day 3 - 22 miles: Cycle to Fontaine-Henry via Creully along the rolling, green Normandy landscape.

> Day 4: After a sustaining buffet breakfast, regrettably its time to say "au revoir et a la prochaine".

For our Full Week Tour you spend 4 nights in excellent 3 star and two nights in 2 star hotels (your Caen hotel and restauarant is Michelin recommended). On our Short Break Tour your accommodation is in high quality 3 star hotels.

Good buffet breakfasts and first class evening meals at your hotels are included.

Prices include use of bicycles, transport of luggage between hotels, maps, route directions and day panniers.

On site English/French speaking manager is available throughout your holiday

Collection and return to Ouistreham (Caen ferry terminal) or Bayeux railway station is available during the day at no extra cost.

Accommodation is in typically small, family run establishments along the route of your cycling tour with us. Aside from your day items, we take care of transporting your luggage to your next hotel.

Normandy is lush and green.  It boasts forests, beaches, golf courses and many attractions including more than forty gardens open to the public, including the beautiful water gardens at Giverny made famous by Monet. His home is now open as a museum dedicated to his work and the gardens, the source of inspiration for many of his paintings, have been restored to their original state.

Normandy also claims to be the inspiration and home for many prolific French writers, like Corneille, Marguerite Duras, Maurois, Gide, Flaubert and Maupassant, who all lived there.

Today, Normandy is often visited for the D-Day landing beaches and its many small, peaceful seaside resorts.  There are many military cemeteries scattered around the rolling countryside — most notably the vast array of tombs at Omaha Beach.  They are a poignant and enduring reminder of the heroic endeavours of the armed forces during World War 2.

Caen is the Capital of Calvados.  With much post-war restoration work, using original materials wherever possible, you can now find many of the old buildings.  The Capital of Manche, St-Lô, also suffered much damage during the war and today only the ramparts remain as a link with the town's past.

The Normandy countryside is typified by idyllic, quiet country lanes through spacious, unspoilt countryside.  The French Pedals tours give you access to this, along with the pleasures of great hotels and top quality food and drink.  Normandy is famous for cream, cider, the apple-based spirit calvados and, of course, for cheese, including Pont-l'Évêque, Livarot and Neufchâtel.

Normandy has much to offer, from the legacy of the Normans to the D Day landing beaches, as well as forests, bird life by the canals and a rich tradition of regional cuisine.

Your French Pedals cycling holiday starts when you arrive at the hotel on the first day of your tour.  Getting to Normandy from the UK is easy.  There are a number of routes you can take by rail or sea:

> By Sea:  Britanny Ferries (0871 244 0744, www.brittanyferries.com) operates regular services between Poole/Cherbourg, Portsmouth /Cherbourg, and Portsmouth/Caen).

LD Lines (0844 576 8836, www.ldlines.co.uk), operates regular sailings to Le Havre from Portsmouth.

> By Rail: We think one of the best on line rail timetables is the one provided by German National Railways (www.bahn.de) covering France and is available in English. You can receive your train tickets in the UK from Rail Europe (0844 848 4064, www.raileurope.co.uk).  Please note, booking and postal charges apply.

There are rail regular services from Paris St. Lazare to Bayeux, from Cherbourg to Bayeux and between Le Havre and Bayeux.


If you let us know in advance, we can arrange for a daytime collection from Bayeaux Station or Ouistreham Ferry Terminal and transfer you to your hotel, for no additional charge.