Experience Overview
With D-Day beaches, the floating abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, and a coastal-countryside terrain, the neighbouring regions of Brittany and Normandy are seemingly tailormade for a culture-filled cycling adventure. This easy-going route tracks the essential stops in northern France, encompassing medieval villages and pretty port towns, moving Second World War history, and a host of standout landmarks, including the 12th-century seaside fortifications of Saint-Malo.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotel), 4 Classic nights (hotel) — Five cycling days — Gentle route — Group normally 4 to 16. Minimum age: 16 —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotel), 4 Classic nights (hotel) — Five cycling days — Gentle route — Group normally 4 to 16. Minimum age: 16 —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Leisurely & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
The countryside here is rolling and the roads are not busy. We stick mainly to smaller country roads and towpaths, all covering an average of 25mi (46km) each day with a maximum of 200m (650ft) of ascent. The ascents will typically be steady with no sharp climbs. The weather in this part of France can be changeable with wind coming off the English Channel.
Group Description
We are accompanied by a local cycling guide for the duration of the adventure.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included .
There is a wealth of local cuisine to explore too, including: agneau de pré sale, a salty lamb dish from Mont Saint-Michel; marmite dieppoise, a creamy seafood dish from Dieppe but served across northern France; and poulet au cidre, a creamy chicken dish made with local cider.
Vegetarians can be fairly easily accommodated in this area of France; however, vegans may find the variety of dishes available is rather limited.
Transportation
All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions. Airport transfers and transfers during the week will be by private, air-conditioned minibus. There will be vehicle assistance available during the cycling in case of bike issues and luggage will be transferred between hotels.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Le Nemours Rennes, 5 Rue de Nemours, 35000 Rennes
Phone: +33 2 99 78 26 26
Recommended arrival time: 5pm. There is a welcome briefing and dinner in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 3hr drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
If you are coming from the UK, you may prefer to take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, then meet the group transfer at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Alternatively, you can fly into Rennes from some UK airports. From Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport (RNS), the start hotel is a 20-minute taxi ride (approximately €30), or we can arrange a private transfer – please speak to your sales representative for more details.
The cost of a taxi from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the start hotel can be upwards of €350 one way, so we advise joining the group transfer if possible.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Brittany is known for its changeable weather conditions. It can be sunny and warm one moment, and then cool and rainy the next.
Summers are generally mild and pleasant. The average temperatures range from around 15C (59F) to 22C (72F) between June and August. It is the peak tourist season, with longer daylight hours and relatively low rainfall. However, it's always a good idea to pack some layers and be prepared for occasional showers.
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the leader and driver at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline, we recommend a contribution starting from €20 per person. It is customary to leave a small tip when eating/drinking in cafés and restaurants.
Highlights
- — Cycle northern France and uncover the historic highlights of Brittany and Normandy — Explore the spectacular 12th-century fortifications of seaside Saint-Malo — Enjoy oyster tasting in Cancale, a renowned destination for seafood — Marvel at the fairytale floating abbey on Mont-Saint-Michel — Visit Omaha Beach in remembrance of the D-Day landings during WWII — Pay tribute to the US troops who died in Europe at the Normandy American Cemetery
Trip Details
Product Code: 4089
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: n hotels.
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: MBN
Starts: Rennes, Brittany
Finishes: Rennes, Brittany
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical rating: Unknown
Includes
- — All breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Local bike hire — Group arrival and departure transfers available
Accommodation
A selection of unique hotelsEach hotel has a unique character, with many close to historic town centres and local landmarks. The accommodations we usually use are listed below. Rennes: Hotel le Nemours (night 1) Immerse yourself in Rennes at Hotel le Nemours. Near the historic centre, this 41-room, nine-apartment hotel occupies a traditional townhouse and provides an excellent base for exploring the city. Dinan: Hotel du Château (night 2) Experience the medieval beauty of Dinan with a stay at Hotel du Château, which is just a two-minute walk from the historic centre and pedestrian streets. Post-exploration, head to the bar-lounge for a nightcap and a chance to sample Breton aperitifs. St Malo: Hotel Anne de Bretagne (night 3) Discover the captivating coastal town of St Malo from the comfort of Hotel Anne de Bretagne. The property was built in the 17th century but the rooms are stylish and modern. There's also a bar serving wine and cocktails, plus there's a heated indoor swimming pool. Pontorson, near Mont Saint-Michel: Hotel Victor Hugo (night 4) Just 6mi (9.5km) from the Unesco-listed Mont St-Michel, Hotel Victor Hugo offers a tranquil retreat in the picturesque town of Pontorson. Here, 15 traditionally styled rooms occupy a 17th-century residence plus there's a bar and gardens should you wish to relax. Bayeux: Hotel de Brunville & Spa (night 5) Immerse yourself in stories of old with a stay in the heart of this historic town. It is the perfect base for exploring the rich heritage of the region while providing an opportunity to relax and unwind in the hotel spa, including an outdoor pool, hot tub and steam room. St Aubin Sur Mer: Clos Normand (night 6) Right by the sea, this 28-room hotel was built in 1891 and provides a scenic spot to end our adventure. If you have a bit of spare time, perhaps enjoy a stroll along the sands taking in the French coast one last time.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4180 (CAD 597 /day)
Itinerary
The adventure starts in Rennes, the beautiful capital of Brittany. If you have time, make sure to explore the old town, home to pretty half-timbered houses from the 15th century and the 17th-century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. Our hotel rooms are available from 3pm and there will be a welcome briefing in the evening, where we meet each other for the first time. The day ends with a group dinner of Breton specialities: crêpes and cider. We stay overnight in Rennes.
Leaving Rennes, we transfer to the town of St Germain to pick up our bikes. We then descend to the first lock of the Ille et Rance canal to begin cycling along the towpath, taking the flat route through an otherwise hilly landscape. Our ride takes us through villages and towns, including peaceful Léhon where we visit the ancient abbey, and past a series of 11 flower-decorated locks. These villages, along with their unique characteristics and attractions, provide a glimpse into the rich cultural and historical heritage of northern France. We end at the medieval port town of Dinan, where we enjoy a shellfish-tasting session at the port with a local supplier. We stay overnight in Dinan.
We enjoy a little walk around Dinan this morning. Nestled along the River Rance, Dinan features well-preserved medieval architecture, including ramparts, half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, plus a delightful blend of art galleries, boutiques and cafes. We then collect our bikes and set off, following the River Rance estuary, a greenery-lined waterway, towards the coast. On our gentle cycle, we can admire the boats sailing along the river and the tranquillity of the landscape. We pass granite cliffs and sandy beaches punctuated by traditional fishing ports and villages, before arriving in the pretty seaside town of Dinard. Here we catch the shuttle boat across the Rance estuary to Saint-Malo. We then have time for a guided tour of this spectacular historic port city, taking in the expansive 12th-century fortified ramparts and a statue of local maritime explorer Jacques Cartier. Overnight in Saint-Malo.
We begin with a short transfer, before hopping on our bikes for a day exploring the best of the Emerald Coast – a beautiful mix of classic European shorelines and Breton countryside. Along the way, we stop for a seaside picnic and to visit the harbour town of Cancale, where shellfish has been a delicacy since the Roman age. We take the opportunity to try some oysters . After Cancale, it’s an easy, flat ride. We pass Mont-Dol, a 215ft (65m) high rock in the middle of the marshes where, legend has it, Saint Michael met the devil. We finish in Mont-Saint-Michel, where a Unesco-listed island is crowned by a magnificent Benedictine abbey, which appears to float when the highest tides surround the island with seawater. Overnight in Pontorson, near Mont-Saint-Michel.
We leave Mont-Saint-Michel early, taking a minibus transfer to medieval Bayeux. There is time to see the architectural wonders of the town, including the 11th-century cathedral, narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. It’s then back on the bikes as we cycle through the countryside to Omaha Beach, one of the five beaches on which Allied forces landed during the D-Day invasions of the Second World War. That is followed by a moving visit to the clifftop Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where more than 9,300 American soldiers were laid to rest. We then head to a local cidermaker for a tasting and a guided visit before making our way back to Bayeux. Overnight in Bayeux.
Before we get back on the bike, we have the option to visit the Bayeux Tapestry, a 230ft (70m) long embroidery depicting the Norman victory over Harold’s English army in 1066 (entrance fee not included). We then cycle across the Normandy countryside to Longues-sur-Mer, where we can see an imposing German artillery battery from the Second World War, and Arromanches, where we see the remains of an artificial port commissioned by Winston Churchill. We then take small country roads through typical Norman villages to the pretty fishing port of Courseulles-sur-Mer. In the afternoon, we visit the Juno Museum Centre including a guided tour of a former observation bunker. Before hopping back on the bikes for the ride to our last hotel in Saint Aubin Sur Mer, where we enjoy our final dinner as a group. Overnight in Saint Aubin Sur Mer.
Our cycling adventure across northern France ends after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time exploring this beautiful part of Europe, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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