Brittany & Normandy Family Biking
From Tranquil Farmland to Historic Coast
Ideal for inquisitive travelers of all ages, this Family Trip combines exhilarating bike rides along picturesque coastline with moments of reflection at historic landmarks. Medieval fortresses and towns spirit you back to the days of William the Conqueror. An exploration of the spectacular island monastery and cathedral of Mont-St-Michel reveals architectural wonders that have inspired the faithful since antiquity, and bunkers and gun posts at Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc offer you and your family a glimpse of Normandy’s more recent history.
Trip Planning Links
- Discover the rich history and culture of two of France's most fascinating regions
- Bike rolling country roads along must-see beaches
- Awe-inspiring architecture of Mont-St-Michel
- World War II battle sights and memorials
- Kids explore the beautiful Normandy countryside on horseback
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 le tronchet
Meet in Rennes 
We start our adventure with a typical Breton lunch As you pedal over rolling terrain to the Côte d’Émeraude (Emerald Coast), seaside villages tempt you with friendly cafés and crêperies Taste a Kir Breton (apple cider and cassis), an authentic Brittany aperitif Dine in Dinan, a fortified medieval port town with half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets Catch the sunset on our private guided tour of the Old Town. Kids can try their hand at the art of glass blowing.
Days 3-5 bayeux
Explore Mont-St-Michel, a fairy-tale-like island monastery and cathedral - built out of the rocks and towering above the bay - that’s sure to impress everyone in the family Say adieu to the Breton coast and shuttle into Normandy and the département of Calvados, known for its excellent cider and flavorful cheeses Ride down quiet country roads to the 13th-century Abbaye de Mondaye, which is still an active monastery Kids visit a local stable to participate in Normandy's popular pastime - horseback riding Visit D-Day landmarks and memorials such as Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery.
Day 6 colleville-sur-mer
In medieval Bayeux, check out the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot-long embroidered "storybook" depicting the Norman invasion of England Savor views of isolated beaches and rugged shoreline as you ride to the coast At the award-winning Caen Memorial, spend time with a World War II historian and hear about his experiences as a resistance fighter.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I thoroughly enjoyed this Backroads trip. The region, leaders and mix of families on the trip were all wonderful. It was an excellent mix of physical activity, historical and cultural learning and fun. My entire family had a great experience. We're ready to do it again somewhere new!- Long Beach, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Brittany & Normandy Family Biking
IDEAL SETTINGS: Casual Inns
Saint Malo Hotel, Golf & Country Club
Le Tronchet (2 nights) Ideally located in the heart of Brittany and offering easy access to the region’s best sights.
Domaine de l'Hostréière
Colleville-sur-Mer (1 night) A charming hotel situated next to the American Cemetery and landing beaches.
Le Lion d'Or
Bayeux (2 nights) Located in the old city, just steps from the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Brittany & Normandy Family Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 32, 54 miles
- 300 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 21, 35 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 22, 40 miles
- 400 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 9, 22, 42 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Conclusion of Trip
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.