Walking holiday in Normandy: from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel

Highlights of the trip

  • You walk through history discovering the D-Day landing beaches
  • Visit the mystical Mont Saint Michel
  • The pretty fishing ports of Barfleur, Port en Bessin, and Port Racine
  • Delicious local cuisine including scallops and fresh cream

    Customize your holiday here 

  • From 480€ /pers
    • Self-guided Walking
    • Moderate
      • 8 days
      • From March to October
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : N1101

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arriving in Bayeux

Arrival on your own in Normandy.
You head walking holiday in normandy franceto your first accommodation located in the charming town of Bayeux. Depending on your arrival time, take time to stroll through the charming medieval historic centre with its half-timbered houses which contrast with the white stone of Caen that most of the town is built from. You can visit the majestic Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the English Military Cemetery, and the Battle of Normandy Museum.  And of course, don't miss the famous Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy - listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World.

Meals included : none
Night : Bayeux

Market in Bayeux on Saturday morning 

Day 2 - Graye sur Mer & Arromanches

 self-guided walking holiday in normandy in france After a 30-minute drive, you arrive in Graye sur Mer. The walk starts in the dunes on the edge of the Channel. You continue inland and walk through the hinterland with beautiful views. You walk along charming little paths beside a peaceful stream. On your return to the beach, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Channel.  Swimming is supervised in July and August only.

Free afternoon to discover Arromanches, a small seaside resort known today for the remains of the artificial harbour built by the Allies during the Second World War to supply the troops based there with arms and munitions and to liberate France from the Nazis. With natural landscapes of impressive limestone cliffs and the remains of the Second World War, Arromanches is a place not to be missed. You have a choice of activities: visit the "D-Day Museum" (not included), visit the 360° circular cinema (not included), or enjoy a swim and relaxing on the beach.
. Our suggestion : the day before, book your seafood platter for lunch in a restaurant in Graye sur Mer or Arromanches!
. We recommend as optional activities : sand yachting or a boat trip !

Walk : Loop walk Graye sur Mer | 02h15 | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +30/-30m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Bayeux

Day 3 - Port en Bessin, American cemetery, pointe du Hoc and Cherbourg

walking trip in Normandy France and easy walks France You drive to Port en Bessin (15 mins): nestled between two cliffs, this artisan fishing port of Calvados is famous for its succulent scallops. This short walk takes you above Port en Bessin with a beautiful panorama of the small port of Port en Bessin and the sea. You explore the hinterland and the green countryside and walk across the Omaha Beach golf course.

In the early afternoon, drive to the American cemetery of Colleville sur mer. At the entrance, a museum immerses you in the world of American soldiers with a short film and exhibits objects that belonged to the soldiers. On leaving the museum, you wander through this cemetery on the heights of Omaha Beach with a breathtaking view of the sea. A place full of emotion...

After the visit, if time permits, stop at the Pointe du Hoc - with the traces of the bombing still visible - before continuing towards Cherbourg, your next stop (1h drive).
Our suggestion : the day before, book a restaurant for lunch in Port en Bessin to taste the famous scallops! 

Walk : Loop walk Port en Bessin | 02h30 | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +80/-80m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cherbourg or Omonville-la-Petite 

Day 4 - Barfleur and the Gatteville lighthouse

self-guided hiking holiday normandy + hiking in the normandyToday, you drive 30 mins to the picturesque port of Barfleur. Departure on foot from this small port built on an arm of the sea, which boasts the label of one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its granite houses and the Saint Nicolas church.  In the port of Barfleur, small and large fishing boats mingle with yachts, filling the quays with colour and activity. You go along the coast to discover the Gatteville lighthouse, the 2nd highest in France and Europe (75m). If you are brave enough, you can visit it and climb the 365 steps! (To be paid on the spot, in case of strong wind the lighthouse is closed to the public). Return to Barfleur inland, and discover the local agriculture, passing through the charming village of Gatteville-le-Phare, with its church, chapel, and small granite houses typical of the region. End of the walk in Barfleur, and you drive back to Cherbourg

Walk : Loop walk Barfleur > Gatteville lighthouse > Barfleur | 03h00 | 11 km - 7 miles | Elevation : flat
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cherbourg or Omonville-la-Petite 

Market in Barfleur on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings 

Day 5 - Loop walk from Port Racine

Best hikes in normandyDeparture from Port Racine (30 min drive): one of the smallest harbours in France, famous for its transparent water and small colourful boats. It was also one of the favourite places of a famous French poet, Jacques Prévert, on route, you can visit the poet's garden. You continue your walk through the pastures and countryside of Normandy. After a small climb on the Mont Clin to reach the viewpoint, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the sea.  Return to Port Racine on foot along a pebble beach. 
Our suggestions :
. 12km from Port Racine, visit the gardens of Vauville, an incredible place! You will go on a short exotic journey to discover a wonderful collection of trees, plants and flowers, which you would never have thought to see in Normandy! A real feat made possible by the unique climate of the Cotentin peninsula.
. 30km from Port Racine and 20km from Vauville, stop at the cider factory of Father Mahieu, one of the rare distilleries to use organic agriculture in its orchards. You can enjoy a short, guided tour which explains the various stages of manufacture of cider and calvados and of course taste the produce! 

Walk : Loop walk Port Racine | 03h00 | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +210/-230m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Cherbourg or Omonville-la-Petite 

Market in Cherbourg on Saturday morning 



Day 6 - Le nez de Jobourg & the Mont Saint Michel

self-guided hiking holiday in NormandyThis morning, you set off (30 minutes) for the most impressive hike of the week, perhaps also the most challenging! Among the highest cliffs in Europe, the Nez de Jobourg is a cliff that rises to 128 metres and juts out into the sea.  You follow part of the coastal path across the moor and enjoy the magnificent panorama over the sea: from the Goury lighthouse to the tip of Flamanville. Inland, the landscape suggests Ireland, with pastures lined with low granite stone walls that shape the hills. In spring and summer, it is a festival of flowers that colour the landscape of the hamlets and fields: gorse, hydrangeas, and wildflowers. You descend to Ecalgrain Bay where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and a moment of relaxation on the sandy and pebbled beach, before returning to the car park. You then drive (2h30) to the Mont Saint Michel, one of the most majestic sites in France! 

Walk : Loop walk Nez de Jobourg | 04h00 | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +400/-430m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : close to the Mont St Michel  

Day 7 - Visit of the Mont Saint Michel

best walking trip in mont saint michel in normandy

From the paying car park, you leave on foot and walk approximately 2,5km to reach the Mont Saint Michel. The sands, the grasslands, the sea, and the sky share the horizon. The light plays with the elements, in a changing landscape where the Mont Saint-Michel is reflected onto the glistening damp sand.
For this crossing, you have the choice:
. Along the banks of the Couesnon. This route takes you to the Mont-Saint-Michel dam, a central element in the restoration of the maritime character of Mont-Saint-Michel
. Along the edge of the road with a breathtaking view of Mont Saint Michel, on a tree-lined, pedestrian path.
. You also have the option of taking the free shuttle bus from the car park

Upon arrival, you are instantly immersed in a magical and timeless atmosphere in the heart of the charming alleys of the Mont Saint Michel, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. You climb the 350 steps that lead to the Abbey. At the top, an exceptional panorama over the bay of Mont Saint Michel. There are several museums inside the abbey: the historical museum, the maritime museum, the Archéoscope, and the Thiphaine house.

We recommend setting off early (around 8am) to arrive at the Mont Saint Michel before the crowds.  Book a table for lunch a couple of days before at the "La Mère Poulard" restaurant, the most famous one at the Mont Saint Michel! You can also enjoy crossing the Mont Saint Michel Bay with a local guide! 

Walk : Free day to visit the Mont Saint Michel 
Meals included : breakfast
Night : close to the Mont St Michel  

Day 8 - End of the trip at the Mont Saint Michel

walking holiday NormandyEnd of the trip, after breakfast.  You enjoy your last day in the magnificent Bay of St Michel, which is home to the highest tides in Europe.  The coastline stretches along long beaches to the west, becoming wilder as you head towards Cancale and the Pointe du Grouin. On the way, you will see miles of stakes, with curious wheeled boats: this is the breeding ground for the famous Bouchot mussels!

Meals included : breakfast

  • From 480€ /pers
    • Self-guided Walking
    • Moderate
      • 8 days
      • From March to October
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : N1101
YOUR TRIP

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From the blog

More walking holidays in Normandy

    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    • Self-guided Walking
      • From March to October
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • You walk through history discovering the D-Day landing beaches
  • Visit the mystical Mont Saint Michel
  • The pretty fishing ports of Barfleur, Port en Bessin, and Port Racine
  • Delicious local cuisine including scallops and fresh cream

    Customize your holiday here 

    • 6 days
    • Easy
    • Self-guided Walking
      • From March to October
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • Discover the smallest port in France, Port Racine
  • "Nez de Jobourg", one of the most beautiful walks in the region
  • Free time to visit the famous Mont Saint Michel
  • Optional : Guided crossing of the bay

    Customize your holiday here 

    • 6 days
    • Easy
    • Self-guided Walking
      • From March to October
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • Discovering Deauville, a luxurious seaside resort
  • Exploring the charming little port in Honfleur
  • Visiting the American war cemetery
  • Discovering Arromanches and “Mulberry” its artificial port
  • Port-en-Bessin: a charming fishing port

    Customize your holiday here