Overview
This is a perfect introduction to walking in Normandy, based in the medieval town of Bayeux in Calvados. This is a short break, with two days of walks to and around the region’s most historic sites relating to World War Two. These include the D-Day Landing Beaches, Arromanches-les-Bains, Longues-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer and various memorial sites, such as the British and American Cemeteries. This region is now a place of peaceful, natural heritage too, with coastal walks, some superb sea swimming and of course fine seafood.
- Bayeux
- Normandy American Cemetery
- Arromanches-les-Bains
- Port-en-Bessin
- Longues-sur-Mer
- D-Day Landing Beaches
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bayeux
Bayeux, one of Normandy’s most celebrated historic towns, is your base throughout this tour. As well as being home to the world-renowned Bayeux Tapestry, (currently closed for renovations until 2027) this stunning medieval town is also home to a 13th-century Norman-Gothic cathedral in Place de la Liberté, botanical gardens created in 1859 by the Bülher brothers and, in contrast, the Bayeux British Military Cemetery. If you arrive early, stroll along the Aura River and seek out the historic watermill.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Le Bayeux or similar in Bayeux
Day 2: Arromanches-les-Bains – Longues-sur-Mer | 12.5km
Start the day in Ryes after a short transfer where you start a quiet walk through Normandy countryside to the coast. Passing through Arromanches-les-Bains, have a paddle at the beach and visit the 360 degree circular cinema and D-Day Museum. Continue along the sea cliffs to Longues-sur-Mer and the German batteries before returning to Bayeux by private transfer.
- Walking for the day: 12.5km, 3h, ↑180m ↓130m
- Accommodation: Hôtel Le Bayeux or similar in Bayeux
Day 3: Normandy American Cemetery – Port-en-Bessin-Huppain | 12km
We transfer you to the Normandy American Cemetery, Visitor Centre and Museum (20mins). Take a poignant stroll past the white tombs overlooking the sea and, on Omaha Beach, you can now take a peaceful swim. Stroll along the coast to Port-en-Bessin-Huppain. If you have energy to spare, extend your day with an optional 7km circular walk around Port-en-Bessin-Huppain. End the day with a refreshment and locally-caught scallops at a brasserie overlooking the harbour. Return transfer to Bayeux.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 2h 30mins, ↑160m ↓170m
- Accommodation: Hôtel Le Bayeux or similar in Bayeux
Day 4: Departure
Departure after breakfast, or extend your stay in Bayeux.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in a locally-owned hotel. It has been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hôtel Le Bayeux (Bayeux) or similar
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can be bought from local shops. On other days, dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy, with daily walking distances of up to 12.5km and daily maximum elevation gains of between 160-180m. The walks are relaxed for those in good health and average levels of fitness. Due to the low elevation gains, this tour is accessible to those with less walking experience (read more about difficulty grades). The route mainly follows waymarked paths through the countryside and along the coastline. The trails can be rocky so good boots with ankle support and walking poles are recommended. Bring enough water with you each day as there are few options to fill up during the walk.
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from March until the end of October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.
In April, average maximum temperatures are 13C, going up to 21C in July and August and dipping to 15C in October. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Caen Airport (CFR) (domestic flights only), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), or Paris Orly (ORY).
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway station in Bayeux. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF-Connect.
From the UK, Eurostar offers direct trains from London St. Pancras International to Paris (2h 20mins). Please check the Eurostar website for more details on schedules and prices. From Portsmouth, catch an overnight ferry to Caen (6h), then take a train to Bayeux (10mins). See Brittany Ferries for more information.
From Paris, there are regular direct trains from Saint-Lazare railway station to Bayeux (2h 30mins).
To get to Saint-Lazare from Charles de Gaulle Airport, take the RER B service to Gare du Nord, then change to take the RER E to Gare Haussmann Saint Lazare.
From Paris Orly Airport, take the OrlyBus to Place Denfert-Rochereau, then take Metro line 4 to Paris Montparnasse Hall, changing here to take Metro line 12 to Saint-Lazare Railways station.
For timetables and further information, visit SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- All transfers listed in the itinerary
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and maps
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and arrival and departure transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entry fees (payable locally)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) are not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Bayeux
- Private transfer to/from Caen Airport (CFR) and Bayeux Train Station
