Bicycle Brittany & Normandy

Western France

Brittany is the prow of western France, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean.  The Breton coastline offers an infinite variety of landscapes -- rocky headlands, tall cliffs, secluded coves, fine sheltered harbors, countless islands and wide sandy beaches.  It is also the land of a thousand legends, filled with crosses, neolithic monuments, and mystical forests.  The countryside abounds with romanesque chapels, castles, and chateaux amidst wooded hills.  Resort towns, with stately granite villas, alternate with charming fishing villages of modest white-washed houses.  Broad beaches are laid bare as tremendous tides recede hundreds of yards, revealing oyster beds and immense mud flats.

Normandy conjures up images of historic battles and heroic moments as well as some delectable French staples, such as camembert cheese and Calvados.  On the Normandy coast we'll visit the historic sites of the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944 the beginning of the end of World War II.

Meals highlight the many local and regional delicacies.  Dinners will emphasize the abundance of fresh seafood and shellfish, especially mussels, oysters, clams and scallops. Local cheeses, artichokes, early potatoes, lamb and crepes also contribute to the famous cuisine.  The favorite local beverages come from the orchards rather than vineyards.  Cider is produced everywhere, along with its pear equivalent, and the well known Norman Calvados, a potent apple brandy.

Your cycling adventure along the ocean shoreline allows for intimate contact with the local villages, countryside and people.  Brittany has a large selection of quiet country roads with moderate slopes, ideal for cycling.  A mild climate and the absence of summer tourists makes September a perfect time for touring this fascinating region.

Plan to arrive in Morlaix no later than Sunday.  If you would like more time to explore the town you may wish to arrive a day before the tour starts.

Sunday & Monday, Morlaix.  Explore this exciting town situated in a deep valley with a small tidal harbor and graced by numerous sidewalk cafes and boutiques.  Get acquainted reception Sunday night, followed by a special welcome dinner.  On Monday we’ll bicycle the nearby Breton countryside and see some of the finest religious stone sculptures in Brittany dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Tuesday & Wednesday, Trebeurden.  A day of beautiful beaches, scenic ocean vistas and quaint villages.  Discover why this area is known as the "pink granite coast".  The soft pink colored granite has been eroded into fantastic shapes by the pounding of the sea.  Many of the local houses are faced with granite blocks and the streets are paved in pink.  Some hotels have granite mini-golf courses and the markets sell granite-smith apples.  Additional cycling opportunities on Wednesday, or walk the sandy beaches.

Thursday & Friday, Pointe de l’Arcouest (Paimpol).  A serpentine road hugs the rugged coast as we pass through unspoiled seaside towns, fishing boat harbors and rustic villages.  Paimpol’s focal point is the picturesque harbor where fishermen unload their daily catch.  Friday you have the opportunity to visit the Ile de Brehat, a lovely island that is only a short boat ride away from our hotel.  You will enjoy wandering through the island’s flowering gardens, beautiful creeks and luxurious vegetation.

Saturday & Sunday, Planguenoual.  We begin the day with a group transfer to avoid several larger towns.  Back on the bikes we follow a coastline of charming ports, villages and holiday resorts. We’ll pass through agricultural fields and grand old estates in their park settings.  Pine woods back lovely white sand beaches that will entice you to stop and enjoy the ocean.  Sunday we follow the rocky Cote d'Emeraude (Emerald Coast).  Dominating the point is Cap Frehel with its great lighthouse and dramatic pink cliffs rising vertically from the sea.  The contrast between the colored rocks, white surf and blue sea is startling.

Monday, Mont St. Michel.  This morning we have a guided tour of the pirate's stronghold of St. Malo, situated on the edge of the sea and shielded on three sides by walls.  In the afternoon we cycle across farmland and peaceful pastures of grazing cows and sheep.  Mont St. Michel will appear like a mirage as we approach from the distance.  The awe-inspiring abbey is considered one of the great achievements of western civilization.  You will have ample time to explore this unique 12th century granite monument.

Tuesday & Wednesday, Bayeux.  After a short coach transfer we get back on the bikes and visit the historic Norman coast and Omaha Beach, site of the American landing on June 6, 1944. Take time for a prayer at the cemetery where rows of white crosses and Stars of David mark the graves of the many American casualties.  We’ll stop at Pointe du Hoc and in Arromanches you will see the remains of a huge floating harbor that was built for the D-Day landing.  Wednesday we bike to the Museum for Peace in Caen.  Return to our hotel in time for a special farewell dinner.

Thursday. This morning we transfer you to the Bayeux train station for connections to Paris or other parts of Europe.  Travel time to Paris is approximately three hours.

Average daily distance: 36•41•59 miles (three options each day)
Tour price: $3,645 per person -- $560 single supplement
Tour date: September 9th to 20th, 2007 (12 days/11 nights)
Tour Leaders: Gerhard Meng & assistant

Includes all breakfasts and eleven dinners.
What else is included in the tour price?

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