Thomas Le Floc'H
The best way to discover the Pays d’Auge at a leisurely pace is by bicycle. With its rolling landscapes, small villages, and the nearby Côte Fleurie, this is a delightful cycling tour of the Pays d’Auge. It’s an ideal route for an excursion through the tranquil parts of Normandy. Follow the signs and ride from the Côte Fleurie and popular seaside resorts on the coast to the beautiful stud farms and orchards of the Pays d’Auge.
Along the way, you’ll cycle through picturesque villages with authentic half-timbered houses and pass local producers. Don’t you want to cycle this Pays d’Auge tour too? Discover the mapped-out cycle route here. Please note: we recommend this route for experienced cyclists, as you’ll be sharing the road with other users.
The Pays d’Auge tour begins in Trouville-sur-Mer, a charming place that takes you back to the delightful early years of the Belle Époque. Perhaps you’ve brought your own bicycle. Of course, you can also hire one on the spot. This can be done at places including Dolcevia and Ça Roule.
For overnight accommodation, you can stay at these hotels, among others. Another suggestion is a charming bed and breakfast. Finally, there is a campsite in Trouville-sur-Mer. Check in and immediately take a walk through the iconic seaside resorts of Trouville-sur-Mer and the slightly further afield Deauville!
In Trouville-sur-Mer, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the salty sea air. Stroll along the beach and harbour. Gaze at the horizon from the alleyways along the Casino, the villas, palaces, and hotels. Trouville-sur-Mer still has the atmosphere of the early years of the Belle Époque. It was the first seaside resort embraced by artists, from Flaubert to Boudin.
But Trouville-sur-Mer is also about fishing for grey shrimp, mackerel, plaice, and scallops. And it’s the town of Viking Thor Ulfr, who gave it his name. Despite the development of the beach as a popular seaside resort, Trouville-sur-Mer has not lost its quirkiness. For instance, the fish market, a symbol of the town’s rich fishing history, has been a historical monument since 1992.
The fish market was built in 1935. Since then, the hall has been one of the most characteristic buildings. The beach is also lovely for a quiet walk by the sea. The wooden boardwalk Promenade des Planches has been on the beach since 1867. It’s the place to enjoy the sea and the seaside resort. Then let yourself be tempted by a walk along the Savignac murals. This artist has left a special impression in the town with his unique illustration style. Don’t forget to visit the Montebello Museum Villa, the museum of art and history by the sea. Lastly, we recommend the Casino. It’s a favourite spot for gambling enthusiasts. The interior, designed by interior architect Jacques Garcia, will certainly charm you.
Today is the first cycling day of the Pays d’Auge tour. The day starts in Trouville-sur-Mer, but you’ll soon cycle out of town towards Saint-Arnoult. There you’ll ride past the Deauville racecourse on the “Seine à vélo” cycle route. You’ll enjoy a fantastic view over the beautiful landscapes of Calvados with its iconic stud farms, orchards, and half-timbered houses.
Follow the route to Pont l’Eveque, the ideal stop for lunch! At La Dégusterie, you can taste all the typical Norman cheeses. Pont-l’Évêque is one of the four Norman cheeses with “AOP” classification, alongside Camembert de Normandie, Neufchâtel, and Livarot. Cheese lover and owner David Raguet is happy to share his knowledge with visitors. He passionately tells about the sometimes romantic history of local cheeses. What he also likes to share is his taste for the countryside. The cheeses he showcases in the shop are certainly not chosen at random. They are all carefully pre-tasted and selected by the cheesemaker, and then preserved by a renowned master ripener. Thanks to this dedication, La Dégusterie has been a member of the famous “Collège Culinaire de France” since 2024.
Along the way, you can also visit the Calvados Père Magloire l’Expérience. They are partners in Normandy Tourism’s new programme: low-carbon rate. If you travel by bicycle, train, or bus, you get at least 10% discount in many places! This way, everyone can continue to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the region. Also, stop by the water sports centre at the lake for a refreshing break.
The route continues towards the Pays d’Auge. As charming as the hilly landscape is, this route is more comfortable with an electric bicycle. Local products can be found everywhere along this part of the route. When you arrive in the beautiful village of Cambremer, it’s best to enjoy a crêpe in the café next to the Pays d’Auge gardens. These gardens are situated around the 17th-century farm. These gardens are certainly worth a visit. Theme gardens, a museum with old tools, and various half-timbered buildings give the place a special atmosphere.
Tips for a relaxing overnight stayThe following addresses are very suitable as overnight locations to start the next cycling day well-rested:
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| If you prefer to be on the road for a shorter time, with a stopover in Pont-l’Evêque, we recommend these accommodations:
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On day 3 of the Pays d’Auge tour, it’s time to dive into the world of cider farms in Calvados. Starting at Pierre Huet. Followed by the nearby family farms Manoir de Grandouet and Calvados Dupont, where they also produce Calvados. Here you’ll learn all about the production of cider, pommeau, and calvados. You’ll conclude your visit with a tasting (enjoy in moderation).
After tasting, you’ll set off again. You’ll cycle through the idyllic Norman landscape to the village of Beuvron-en-Auge. You’ll soon discover why this village has been named one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’. Once there, you’ll admire the typical half-timbered houses in the centre. You can also visit one of the artisanal boutiques, including Savons d’Orély and the Café du Coiffeur.
After lunch, the route takes you further to Verger de Roncheville. There you can visit the animal park and mini-golf. You can also enjoy artisanal local products. In the afternoon, you’ll cycle through a completely different landscape. You’ll pass through the Dives marshes. It’s a beautiful place to admire storks in their natural environment.
Eventually, you’ll end up on the Vélomaritime cycle route on the coast of Cabourg. This brings you back to the charm of cosy seaside resorts and a lovely fresh sea breeze. Take time to catch your breath before cycling on to your accommodation.
Tips for overnight staysWe can certainly recommend these overnight spots:
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For the last cycling day of the Pays d’Auge tour, a visit to the romantic seaside resort of Cabourg is a must!
Walk or cycle along the beautiful villas, the soft sandy beach, the horse racing track, the 19th-century Casino, and the beautiful Grand Hôtel. There, follow in the footsteps of writer Marcel Proust, who had his fixed ritual there between 1907 and 1914. He ate ‘Madeleines’ at breakfast, but also loved to stare at the sea and follow the tides. Like him, you’ll be very impressed by the atmosphere in the large dining room and the sea view.
This last day is not very long. That gives you plenty of time to visit the Villa du Temps retrouvé in Cabourg. With Marcel Proust as your guide, you’ll discover the epic of the Belle Époque. You’ll take a journey through the daily life of this fascinating period. It was the golden age of Cabourg and the Côte Fleurie. Then follow the Dives river, where you’ll soon arrive at Houlgate. At the top of the Vaches noires hill, you’ll enjoy a magnificent view.
With a few beautiful photos in your pocket, you’ll cycle on towards Villers-sur-Mer. Along the way, you’ll pass the Paléospace l’Odyssée. Here, the prehistory of Normandy is told through fossils… and dinosaurs! At the end of the morning, you’ll ride through the Villers marshes. Then you’ll cycle past the ‘Batteries du Mont Canisy’, a protected nature reserve that rises 110 metres above the sea. From 1935 to 1940, the French navy installed two batteries here to protect the Seine estuary and the port of Le Havre. Later, from 1942 to 1944, the site became an important link in the ‘Atlantic Wall’. Several elements, such as casemates, bunkers, and fortifications, connected by a 250-metre long gallery, have been preserved.
The cycle route takes you to Deauville, a beautiful seaside resort. Your first stop is at Les Franciscaines, a splendid cultural centre with a media library, museum spaces, and a restaurant. Then it’s time for a walk along the famous boulevard with “les Planches”. Look up: the beach cabins bear the names of the film stars who once visited Deauville. And there are many!
Deauville is a world-famous seaside resort and still exudes as much elegance and style as in the time of Coco Chanel. Strolling here is a feast for everyone. On the beach are colourful parasols and deck chairs, ideal if you want to fully enjoy the Norman light. This same light was also a source of inspiration for many impressionists: a magical blend of sun, waves, and clouds playing with sunbeams.
Enjoy the fresh sea breeze for a while longer and let the beautiful experiences of the last few days sink in. As you return your bicycle in the adjacent Trouville-sur-Mer, you know one thing for sure: you want to experience this again!
Tips for overnight staysIt’s great to stay overnight in this beautiful seaside resort after the Pays d’Auge Tour. There are good hotels, there’s a campsite with direct access to the beach, and a romantic bed and breakfast. |
After a delicious breakfast, your cycling trip through this beautiful part of Normandy is already over. Who knows, you might continue your journey to another destination in Normandy. Perhaps you’re going back to the Netherlands or Belgium. Full of impressions from a successful cycling trip through the Pays d’Auge.
Need more information about the Pays d’Auge tour? You can find a detailed route in the Normandy collection on Komoot. A gpx file of the Pays d’Auge tour is also available.