France : Normandy

Normandy Walk from Deauville to Bayeux

Trip code: W07NM 4.8 (5 reviews)

Self-guided walking

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1
Leisurely

22.0Kg CO2e

Printed route
directions

SUMMARY

  • Discover the famous boardwalk in Deauville and colourful harbour of Honfleur, renowned for its art galleries
  • Walk through classic rural landscapes and sample the region's cuisine: Camembert, cider, and calvados
  • Facing the sea with feet in the sand, experience the special atmosphere of the D-Day landing beaches.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All continental breakfast
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Comprehensive route directions
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walking transfers

TRIP DESCRIPTION

This holiday is an introduction to the authentic Normandy. Explore this diverse and beautiful region, which was a source of inspiration for so many painters, and which is today the setting for the painful World War II vestiges in Colleville-sur-Mer or Arromanches.

Wander through the heart of a landscape full of small enclosed fields called 'bocage'. These beautiful fields and gentle valleys are enclosed by hedges and copses and full of grazing cows. Walk in the scent of cider apples on quiet paths, shaded by the orchards and surrounded by stud farms or half-timbered manor houses.

Terrain

Walks on this holiday are gentle and flat. There are no tough climbs. Walks are through villages, woods and along coastline.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive in Deauville / Trouville

Artists and writers have long fallen for Trouville, Deauville's older sibling. It's equally as charming with its villas, splendid and sands but it also has a vibrant fishing port.

You stay at Le Fer a Cheval.

hotel details



Hotel Le Fer a Cheval, Trouville

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


More than a hotel, Le Fer à Cheval is a family home combining gentleness and elegance. This family-run hotel is composed of two traditional houses close to each other in the centre of Trouville sur Mer, 200 yards from the beach and 200 yards from Trouville’s Barrière Casino. You will appreciate the typical brick architecture of the main villa and the charming patio of the small house.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: At Trouville (12km/7.5mi)

Follow the glamourous boardwalk where celebrities love to stroll during the American Film Festival in Deauville. It is one of the most memorable seaside resorts in Normandy and an international centre for horses with its two racecourses and range of prestigious international races.

elevation

You stay at Le Fer a Cheval.

hotel details



Hotel Le Fer a Cheval, Trouville

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


More than a hotel, Le Fer à Cheval is a family home combining gentleness and elegance. This family-run hotel is composed of two traditional houses close to each other in the centre of Trouville sur Mer, 200 yards from the beach and 200 yards from Trouville’s Barrière Casino. You will appreciate the typical brick architecture of the main villa and the charming patio of the small house.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 3: Trouville to Honfleur (13km/8.1mi or 18km/11.2mi or 11km/6.8mi)

Your day starts with a stunning view over the Seine Estuary. Then, walk along the coast through the villages of Villervile and Criqueboeuf. Then continue through woods to reach the Village of Pennedepie. Along your way, you will have the opportunity to explore a farm specialising in Cider and Calvados (apple brandy).

elevation

You stay at Hotel Le Dauphin.

hotel details



Hotel Le Dauphin, Honfleur

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


Located in the Normandy region, Hotel Le Dauphin Les Loges is set in 3 17th-century wooden houses, typical of the town of Honfleur. It is located in the historical city centre, next to Sainte-Catherine Church. Renovated in 2019, each room or apartment is individually decorated. The 3 buildings are adjacent and each has its own entrance. All units feature a TV and a private bathroom. Upper floors are accessed by stairs. Onsite, you can enjoy massages and treatments from the La Plage wellness centre. The fitness centre is accessible without reservation and you can privatise access to the sauna at an extra cost.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 4: At Honfleur

Discover Honfleur, the Normandy gem of art and history. Stroll in the narrow streets and along the picturesque harbour which has inspired many Impressionist artists. Wander around the famous Vieux Basin and up and down the alleys of the picturesque Sainte-Catherine district with the impressive France's largest timber-built church with a separate bell tower. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit at the Impressionist museum or other art galleries in Honfleur.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Le Dauphin.

hotel details



Hotel Le Dauphin, Honfleur

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


Located in the Normandy region, Hotel Le Dauphin Les Loges is set in 3 17th-century wooden houses, typical of the town of Honfleur. It is located in the historical city centre, next to Sainte-Catherine Church. Renovated in 2019, each room or apartment is individually decorated. The 3 buildings are adjacent and each has its own entrance. All units feature a TV and a private bathroom. Upper floors are accessed by stairs. Onsite, you can enjoy massages and treatments from the La Plage wellness centre. The fitness centre is accessible without reservation and you can privatise access to the sauna at an extra cost.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 5: Honfleur to Port en Bessin via Arromanche (12km/7.5mi)

Walking transfer to Arromanches. This seaside resort is inextricably linked with the liberation of western Europe after D-Day, along with the staggeringly large concrete blocks remaining from the Mulberry Harbour towed over from Britain in June 1944. War museums bring the massive Allied operations here back to life. Start the walk towards Gold beach and get the best view from the cliff over the artificial harbour of Arromanches and reach the German Battery of Longues sur mer before ending at the fishing harbour of Port en Bessin.

elevation

You stay at Hotel IBIS.

hotel details



Hotel Ibis , Port en Bessin

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon


Located in the harbour in the heart of the fishing village, you can admire boats delivering fresh catch of the day. You are walking distance from restaurants and bars to enjoy an evening drink on a terrace.

Day 6: At Port en Bessin (21km/13.0mi or 12km/7.5mi)

Walk to Colleville-sur-Mer. After a very emotional walk through the American cemetery, walk down the cliff to Omaha beach and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer exactly where the American troops climbed up and where 5,000 soldiers, fallen in the name of liberty, are laid to rest. Walk the beach most of the way to return to your hotel. Then, relax by the pool for a drink or enjoy the spa.

elevation

You stay at Hotel IBIS.

hotel details



Hotel Ibis , Port en Bessin

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon


Located in the harbour in the heart of the fishing village, you can admire boats delivering fresh catch of the day. You are walking distance from restaurants and bars to enjoy an evening drink on a terrace.

Day 7: Port en Bessin to Bayeux (17km/10.6mi)

Leave the coast to reach the Aure Valley and walk along beside stunning old granite manors and farmhouses to Tour-en-Bessin before arriving at the former allies headquarters through the commonwealth war memorial. In the heart of the medieval city of Bayeux, explore the Cathedral, a gem of Norman architecture, remarkably well preserved. Another unmissable place is the Bayeux Tapestry: listed 'World Heritage' by UNESCO, the 70 metres long Tapestry recounts the Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy.

elevation

You stay at Le Bayeux.

hotel details



Hotel Le Bayeux, Bayeux

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
Aircon
Safe


Located in the heart of Bayeux, next to the cathedral in the historic centre, discover this beautiful house, once a lovely Normand inn, now a 3-star hotel.

Day 8: Leave Bayeux

Extending your holiday

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Le Bayeux, Bayeux; Hotel Le Fer a Cheval, Trouville.

hotel details



Hotel Le Bayeux, Bayeux

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
Aircon
Safe


Located in the heart of Bayeux, next to the cathedral in the historic centre, discover this beautiful house, once a lovely Normand inn, now a 3-star hotel.



Hotel Le Fer a Cheval, Trouville

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


More than a hotel, Le Fer à Cheval is a family home combining gentleness and elegance. This family-run hotel is composed of two traditional houses close to each other in the centre of Trouville sur Mer, 200 yards from the beach and 200 yards from Trouville’s Barrière Casino. You will appreciate the typical brick architecture of the main villa and the charming patio of the small house.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from NZ$781.

TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

We had a most enjoyable holiday, enhanced by the peace of mind that all would go as planned due to your pre-travel information and the excellent briefing and care from your local partner.

Stuart Revell, 4 Sep 2023

 

Easy walking holiday. Navigating some of the routes was a bit tricky and full use had to be made of the digital maps supplied. The hotels were very good and fairly close to restaurants for an evening meal. English to a certain extent was spoken by hotel staff. If you want to go to the visitor centre at the American Military Cemetary be aware that they won't let you in if you have a knife. I had a small Swiss Army Knife in my rucksack whiich was measured and declared to be too big. Couldn't leave it at reception so couldn't enter. Also having taken a taxi (20 euros) to Omaha I intended to have lunch in one of the 2 nearby restaurants but both were closed. Walked back to Port en Bessin on an empty stomach. Overall a very enjoyable holiday.

SPENCER, 5 Jun 2023

 

A wonderful holiday full of places of interest

BARTLETT, 19 May 2023

 

I enjoyed a varied and interesting walk in Normandy.



The highlights of the trip were the times spent in Honfleur and Bayeux and its well worth tagging on an extra day at each end of your holiday.



The accommodation I stayed in was not as grand as that I experienced during a recent Headwater trip to the Dordoigne but it was more than adequate. The locations of the hotels were generally excellent. While in Beuvron en Huge I stayed at Le Manoir de Sens and just a bit of advice for any future travellers. There is no onsite catering so make sure you stock up on food and drink in the village at the end of the days walking.



The walking was generally interesting, taking in a combination of farmland, villages and coastline. At times the route was a little undulating but it shouldn't present a challenge to a regular walker. One of my objectives was to visit the D-Day beaches and I found the American and British war cemeteries particularly moving.



Overall, a very enjoyable trip.

Dr Adams, 23 Sep 2022

 

Another excellent Headwater experience. This time to rural Normandy. We did not know this area at all and this walking holiday enabled us to explore this beautiful and rustic area. The walks were of good length, the hotels all very good and we had a real opportunity to experience great French cooking in the evenings in the towns and villages in which we stayed. The staff at Normandie Rando (the local tour company) were all terrific. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in this little known part of France. Recommended.

Mr Duggleby, 10 Jun 2022

 


Self-guided walking

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1
Leisurely

22.0Kg CO2e

Printed route
directions

7 nights from NZ$2440

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199