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Walking holiday in Normandy: from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel
    • France - Normandy
    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From March to October
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : A1175
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About the Walking holiday in Normandy: from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel trip

The self-drive tour is the ideal way to discover Normandy with your family or friends, at your own pace!

Your first stop is your hotel in Bayeux where you check in for 2 nights. Bayeux is a magnificent town unscathed by the bombings of the Second World War, with its charming historic medieval centre and its splendid cathedral, only a few kilometers from the D-Day landing beaches. Then on to the Cotentin region for walks in very wild landscapes along the coastline and through small granite stone villages in the middle of the pastures. Inland, you feel as if you are travelling through Ireland, with hilly landscapes of green fields, sculpted by low stone walls: a breathtaking scenery of land and sea!
You end the trip with a visit the most impressive monument in Normandy, (indeed, in France!): the architectural masterpiece of the 13th century: the "Mont Saint Michel", classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
The Normandy coast offers a wide variety of landscapes: from dunes to pebble beaches, and the breathtaking limestone cliffs. The architecture of the houses varies from white stone to dark granite and the great diversity of crops, wide pastures and the salt marshes of the Mont Saint Michel sculpt the panorama on the hikes.

The itinerary combines history, heritage, and stunning landscapes with easy walks on coastal paths in the country of a generous, local cuisine! 

Highlights of the trip

  • Freedom of a self-drive trip through some of the prettiest landscapes in Normandy
  • You walk through history: discovering the D-Day landing beaches
  • Beautiful walks in the Cotentin region
  • Visit the mystical Mont Saint Michel
  • Swimming opportunities almost every day
  • The pretty fishing ports of Barfleur, Port en Bessin, and Port Racine
  • Delicious local cuisine including scallops and fresh cream

    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Walking from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel - Day by Day 

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.
  • Night in Bayeux

  • Market in Bayeux on Saturday morning

  • Access
    . Caen Carpiquet airport or Ferry to Ouistreham Harbour and trains to Bayeux 

Day 2 - Graye sur Mer & Arromanches

  • Loop walk -  Graye sur mer  self-guided walking holiday in normandy in france
    2h15 -7km  - Ascent: 30m / Descent: 30m
  • 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.
  • Night in Bayeux
  • MEALS included: breakfast

  • Our suggestion 
    . The day before, book your seafood platter for lunch in a restaurant in Graye sur Mer or Arromanches!

  • We recommend  - Optional activities : After your walk, enjoy sand yachting or a boat trip !
    Interested ? See details in the "option section"

    . Introduction to sand yachting (to be reserved when booking your trip) - Duration: 1h30
    Initiation supervised by an experienced instructor. The sand yacht is practiced at low tide on the still wet sand on large sandy beaches. Let yourself be carried by the wind and follow the course : excitement guaranteed!
    Please note: This activity is dependent on weather and tide conditions; you cannot choose the time of the activity. (Remember to bring a full change of clothes!)
    If the weather conditions do not allow sand yachting, you must choose another activity from the following: (no refund).
    . A sea trip in a semi-rigid boat
    . Paddle boarding
    . Sea kayaking
    . Electric bike ride

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

  • walking trip in Normandy France and easy walks France Loop walk - Port en Bessin  
    2h30 - 7 km - Ascent: 80m / Descent:80m
  • 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).
  • Night in Cherbourg or Omonville-la-Petite
  • MEALS included : Breakfast

  • Our suggestion :
    . The day before, book a restaurant for lunch in Port en Bessin to taste the famous scallops! 

Day 4 - Barfleur and the Gatteville lighthouse

  • self-guided hiking holiday normandy + hiking in the normandyWalk - Barfleur > Gatteville lighthouse > Barfleur  
    3h  - 11 km  - Flat
  • Today, 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
  • Night in Cherbourg or close by
  • MEALS included : Breakfast 

  • Market in Barfleur on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings 

Day 5 - Loop walk from Port Racine

  • Best hikes in normandyLoop walk -  Port Racine 
    3h - 10 km - Ascent: 210m / Descent: 230m
  • Departure 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
  • Night in Cherbourg or Omonville-la-Petite
  • MEALS included : Breakfast 

  • Market in Cherbourg on Saturday morning 

  • Our suggestion :
    . 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! 

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

  • self-guided hiking holiday in NormandyWalk - Nez de Jobourg > Ecalgrain Bay > Nez de Jobourg
    4h - 12 km - Ascent: 400m / Descent: 430m
  • This 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 mythical Mont Saint Michel, one of the most majestic sites in France! 
  • Night closed to the Mont Saint Michel
  • MEALS included : Breakfast 

Day 7 - Visit of the Mont Saint Michel

  • best walking trip in mont saint michel in normandyFree day to visit the Mont Saint Michel at your own pace
    Walk - 50 min walk to the Mont Saint Michel
  • Optional : enjoy crossing the Mont Saint Michel Bay with a local guide!
  • Our tip: set off early (around 8am) to arrive at the Mont Saint Michel before the tourist busses arrive!
  • 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.
  • Night close to the Mont Saint Michel
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Market in Pontorson on Wednesday mornings

  • Our suggestion :
    . At the beginning of your trip, book your lunch at "La Mère Poulard", the famous and unmissable restaurant of Mont Saint Michel.

  • We recommend  - Optional activities : 
    . To be booked at the same time as your trip, depending on tides and availability of guides, and subject to good weather conditions.
    . It is strictly forbidden to go into the bay (the sand) without a guide, because of the fast-rising tides and the shifting sands.

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

  • walking holiday Normandy

    End 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!

More walking holidays in Normandy

Walking holiday in Normandy: from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel
Self Drive
    • France - Normandy
    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From March to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of the trip

    • Freedom of a self-drive trip through some of the prettiest landscapes in Normandy
    • You walk through history: discovering the D-Day landing beaches
    • Beautiful walks in the Cotentin region
    • Visit the mystical Mont Saint Michel
    • Swimming opportunities almost every day
    • The pretty fishing ports of Barfleur, Port en Bessin, and Port Racine
    • Delicious local cuisine including scallops and fresh cream

      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 480 € / pers
    Normandy : Walking from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel
      • France - Normandy
      • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of the trip

    • A walk through history: discovering the D-Day landing beaches
    • Beautiful walks in the Cotentin and the Nez de Jobourg
    • Exploring the infamous Mont Saint Michel
    • Swimming opportunies almost every day
    • Pretty fishing ports of Bafleur, Port en Bessin & Port Racine
    • Delicious local cuisine including scallops and fresh cream!



      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 1530 € / pers
    Trip details
    Walking holiday in Normandy: from the landing beaches to the Mont Saint Michel
        • France - Normandy
        • 2 adults (2x480€)
        • 0 children (0x480€)
      • 8 days
      • Simple
    Total 960€
    Deposit 400€
    Book now !