Normandy on Foot

Arrive in Deauville, a 2 hour direct train ride from Paris. The complimenting towns of Trouville, an old fishing village and Deauville, a modern town, are separated by the Touques River. While Trouville has a strong fishing industry and traditions together with a lively atmosphere in the evening with lots of restaurants, Deauville is a new town built in the middle of the 19th Century by wealthy Parisians who arrived with the first train link between Paris and the Normandy coast. The town boasts two horse racecourses, a polo ground, hundreds of stunning villas and the well-known boardwalk along the 4km long beach. Overnight Deauville or Trouville.

An easy start to your walking holiday in Normandy with the choice of walking loop. This can be curated according to your interests. Return to your hotel. Distance walked: approx 8.8km/5.5mi

The route this morning heads northwest towards the Seine Estuary. Ambling through the coastal villages of Villerville and Criqueboeuf, there is plenty of opportunity to visit beaches and take in the coastal scenes. On the way, you have the opportunity to do a tasting in a local brewery in the village of Pennedepie, famous for their cider and apple brandy (Calvados). Later you arrive to Honfleur, a small medieval town, revealing her riches to all those who take the time to look. The history of the town is evident. The Old Dock surrounded by picturesque narrow houses, the churches of St Catherine, St Etienne, St Leonard, the Lieutenance, the old Salt Stores, and medieval cobbled streets are all highlights. Honfleur is also recognised as one of the cradles of Impressionism and a favourite place of many artists. Overnight Honfleur. Distance walked: 12 or 18 km/7.5 or 11.2 mi Note: option to shorten with a transfer in the morning to either Villerville or Criqueboeuf. Must be requested prior.

Todays walk is all about discovering Honfleur. A visit of the old town is highly recommended and we suggest a 2 hour walk to take in its many attractions. Discover Impressionist museum and art galleries revealing the towns strong traditions in art and history. There is also a longer walk down to the villages of Pennedepie and Barneville La Bertran where you can visit an estate with tastings of cider, calvados and other local delicacies. Honfleur was a strategic port before becoming an important trading harbour in the XVIth. During the XVIIth century, Honfleur was the starting point for many navigators for the new world; to Brazil, and Quebec… From that rich past, almost everything is preserved; Churches, the old port, bell-tower, ware-houses, 4 and 500 year old buildings, cobblestone streets far too small for cars! Overnight Honfleur. Distance walked: 18.6km/12mi, shorter options available

This morning you will be transferred to the Caen plain and the landing beaches. You can choose to be dropped off at a village near Creully for a longer walk or at the famous artificial harbour of Arromanches (approx 1.5hr). The longer walk takes you to Gold Beach where you have an excellent view from the cliff over the harbour at Arromanches. It was in Arromanches that the Allies set up a harbour using sunken barges to supply the D-Day troops. Today the barges are still visible on the beach and in the sea, and there is an excellent museum to visit. Nearby, is the main German Battery of Longues-sur-Mer which you reach as you walk past Mulberry harbour and along the cliff. After visiting this strategic position with its tanks and bunkers, continue on to the fishing village of Port en Bessin and your hotel on the harbour. Distance walked: 14 or 21km/8.7mi or 13mi

Today's loop walk takes you further west to Colleville-sur-Mer and the impressive American War cemetery. From here you can walk down to Omaha Beach and then follow the trail back through farming land. If you don't feel like doing the walk back, you can book a taxi for about 30 euros (organised locally). Overnight Port en Bessin. Distance walked: 13km (with taxi) or 21km/8.1 or 13mi

Today's walk takes you through the heart of the Bessin area with orchards, green pastures and great granite mansions and manors. Arrive at the British War cemetery of Bayeux and the Commonwealth memorial, and the beautiful centre of Bayeux. There's lots to see including the impressive cathedral and historic houses. Whilst the Bayeux Tapestry Museum housing the famous tapestry depicting the history of William the Conquerer is currently closed, there are many other sites and museums to explore including the Museum of the Battle of Normandy and Bayeux Botanical Gardens - one of the most remarkable 19th century landscaped parks in Normandy. The local cuisine is superb - a local favourite is the galette, a savoury crepe made with buckwheat and filled with a range of different ingredients, or the tubs of mussels which are full of flavour. Overnight Bayeux. Distance walked: 17.6km/11mi