cycling tour in normandy

• From Paris CDG, take the RER B into Paris (about 35-40 min, very frequent), then transfer to Paris Saint-Lazare station.
• From Saint-Lazare, several direct trains run every day to Bayeux (fastest around 2h13; about 14 trains/day).Allow around 3.5-4 hours total from CDG depending on connections, and book tickets in advance.

Bikes: folding bikes are accepted when folded; standard bikes must be packed in a bike bag/box on French trains unless a bike space is booked.

To plan your journey, do not hesitate to check the official website of the French rail company (SNCF Connect), or feel free to ask us!

A few helpful tips:

• We strongly recommend booking trains in advance, especially in summer.
• Allow a comfortable connection time in Paris (at least 2.5-3 hours after landing) before your onward train.
• Trains have generous luggage space and are the smoothest way to start the trip.
• Getting around on the RER B with a full-size bike outside its box is often inconvenient: bikes are restricted during rush hours and trains can be crowded, making transfers and station access awkward. We recommend keeping bikes packed until Bayeux whenever possible.
  

Meeting times:

As the first day is a non-bike day, you will arrive at your leisure depending on your route. Please note that rooms are usually available mid-afternoon depending on your accommodation. Please, let us know if you are arriving late.

You will receive the following documents for this trip:

• The Mont Blanc Experience roadbook with a step-by-step description of each day.
• GPX tracks for each day.
• The list of accommodations for your tour and the contact details of the service provider for luggage transfers.
• Useful contacts with telephone numbers in case of emergency.

Please note:

Breakfasts are included. Generally consisting of pastries (pain au chocolat or croissant), fresh bread, fruit, yoghurt and cereals. Some accommodations also offer savory dishes with cheese or ham and eggs. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you book.

We have chosen not to include lunches and dinners (except on day 4 near Utah Beach) to give you more flexibility and freedom during the day :

There are drinking water points along the route where you can fill your water bottles during the day. Be sure to think ahead when it comes to water, and follow the sanitary instructions given.

You will carry only what you need for the day. Your bags will be transferred between your accommodations as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 23kg maximum per person and a maximum size of 158 cm (total height + width + length).

Mont Blanc Experience reserves the right to charge an additional fee if your luggage exceeds the specified size or weight limits.

The routes have been designed by our team. They take in a mix of cycle paths, quiet country roads and a few short segments on busier roads, usually with a narrow cycle lane or shoulder. Your regularly updated travel documents (roadbook and maps or map extracts) ensure that you can complete the program with complete peace of mind.

We also provide you with GPX tracks via our smartphone navigation application. Simply download the routes to your phone for offline use, and you're ready to go.

The "Mon Roadbook" app allows you to centralize all the necessary information for your trip:

• The identification of service providers operating during your stay
• GPS guidance on a map background
• Photos of crossings
• The various points of interest on the hike: natural or heritage.

This application, included for this trip, must be downloaded before your departure and works offline (without network).
To learn more, feel free to read our article: Mon Roadbook, your digital travel guide.

Your bike will be delivered to you on day two in the morning. A security deposit is required. Remember to provide us with your height when filling out the reservation form. Then, drop off your bike at your hotel on the last day of your tour.

NB:

• No visa is required for American, Canadian, British or Australian citizens for stays of up to 90 days within the Schengen Area (France, Italy and Switzerland included).

Passport Requirements
Travellers must hold a passport that:

• is valid upon entry, and
• remains valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen Area.

It is strongly recommended to ensure a minimum of 6 months' validity prior to expiration to avoid potential boarding refusals by airlines.

• no visa required,
• passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date.

Asian Travellers - Visa-Required Countries

Travellers holding passports from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and other South and Southeast Asian countries must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa prior to travel, including for stays of less than 30 days.

• Visa applications must be submitted to the relevant French, Swiss or Italian consular authorities in the traveller's country of residence. Processing times may vary.
• Passports must be in good, undamaged condition (no tears, stains, staples, clips, or other alterations).

• Tetanus - diphtheria - pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles - mumps - rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Seasonal influenza
• COVID-19

These vaccinations are generally recommended for all adults.

Altitude and Physical Effort
Our tours involves sustained daily effort and includes sections at moderate altitude. Travellers are advised to :

• ensure they are in adequate physical condition,
• consult a healthcare professional in case of medical conditions potentially affected by altitude or exertion,
• bring all personal medication required for the entire duration of the trip.

Dentist and general physician:
We recommend a checkup with both before leaving on your trip.  

• wash hands regularly,
• use a clean reusable water bottle,
• avoid drinking untreated natural water sources without proper filtration or purification.

• An analgesic.
• An anti-inflammatory (pills or gels).
• An anti-diarrheal tablets,
• A disinfectant, band aids (several sizes), mole skin, sterile compresses, medical tape, Steri-Strips, non-stick bandages, and an elastic bandage.
• An antiseptic.
• Sunscreen and a burn cream.
• Eye drops.
• Other : survival blanket, scissors, 2 or 3 safety pins, a tick remover, a pair of latex gloves, earplugs.
• Any personal medication.

• A cap or other head protection against the sun
• A hat or sweat band
• A bicycle helmet (mandatory)

• Two cycling jerseys or technical t-shirts (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
• A warm shirt or sweatshirt
• A fleece
• A waterproof jacket and pants
• Two good quality cycling shorts (avoid triathlon shorts)
• A pair of warm cycling tights or leg warmers
• Pants
• Casual short
• A pair of biking shoes
• Sport socks
• A pair of shoes suitable for the evening
• Sandals (not compulsory, but nice for warm evenings...)

• A pair of bike specific gloves
• A headlamp with batteries
• A toiletry kit and towel
• 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
• A pocket knife
• A few plastic bags to protect your belonging
• A swimsuit
• A needle and thread
• A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin (Compeed); Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.