Bayeux is a popular visitor destination in Normandy, known for its medieval center, Norman-Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and the famed 68-meter Tapisserie de Bayeux. It’s located 10 km inland from the Channel coast. The town was relatively unscathed during the 1944 Battle of Normandy, so its center is well-preserved. The options for running in Bayeux itself aren’t great, but there is some scenic running just outside town.
Approaching Bayeux, with view of Cathedral. Mark Lowenstein
Bayeux Center. The small center of Bayeux is very pretty and well-preserved, with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. It can get very crowded. Get up early and enjoy some of the main streets, such as Rue St. Jean.
D206 Cycle Path. The immediate outskirts of Bayeux aren’t very attractive. But there’s a paved cycle path that runs near the D6 for up to 8.6 km from Bayeux to Port-en-Bessin (follow the Velo signs). It’s not all that nice until 2-3 km outside of Bayeux, north of the D613 beltway road. MAP
VéloRoute Northwest of Bayeux. Quiet roads passing through attractive Normandy countryside on the recommended cycle route toward Omaha Beach. Especially nice between Sully and Étréham (6.2 km), and with more possible toward Surrain and Colleville-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach area). Follow the Vélomaritime signs. MAP
Aure-sur-Mer. Mark Lowenstein
Port-En-Bessin. This is a pretty coastal town located 10 km south of Bayeux. Enjoy ~2-3 km of waterfront running on the Quai and out to the Quai Letourneur. (MAP) Then, head west on the EV4 route toward Aure-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. It’s a combination of cycle path & quiet road (just north of the D514), and features lovely views of farm fields and the Channel in parts. Note: steep hill coming out of Port-En-Bessin. After that, it’s flat but also features some shor, steep hills. Follow the Vélomaritime (EV4) signs. MAP
South of Bayeux. South of the D572 loop rood, there are some paths along the Aure River. Also, beautiful running in the Normandy countryside toward the Abbaye Saint-Martin in Mondaye. These are primarily shared roads (note: no shoulder) but they’re low-trafficked and scenic. Follow the VéloWestNormandy signs on the east or west side. MAP
Bayeux is a popular visitor destination in Normandy, known for its medieval center, Norman-Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and the famed 68-meter Tapisserie de Bayeux. It’s located 10 km inland from the Channel coast. The town was relatively unscathed during the 1944 Battle of Normandy, so its center is well-preserved. The options for running in Bayeux itself aren’t great, but there is some scenic running just outside town.
Approaching Bayeux, with view of Cathedral. Mark Lowenstein
Bayeux Center. The small center of Bayeux is very pretty and well-preserved, with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. It can get very crowded. Get up early and enjoy some of the main streets, such as Rue St. Jean.
D206 Cycle Path. The immediate outskirts of Bayeux aren’t very attractive. But there’s a paved cycle path that runs near the D6 for up to 8.6 km from Bayeux to Port-en-Bessin (follow the Velo signs). It’s not all that nice until 2-3 km outside of Bayeux, north of the D613 beltway road. MAP
VéloRoute Northwest of Bayeux. Quiet roads passing through attractive Normandy countryside on the recommended cycle route toward Omaha Beach. Especially nice between Sully and Étréham (6.2 km), and with more possible toward Surrain and Colleville-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach area). Follow the Vélomaritime signs. MAP
Aure-sur-Mer. Mark Lowenstein
Port-En-Bessin. This is a pretty coastal town located 10 km south of Bayeux. Enjoy ~2-3 km of waterfront running on the Quai and out to the Quai Letourneur. (MAP) Then, head west on the EV4 route toward Aure-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. It’s a combination of cycle path & quiet road (just north of the D514), and features lovely views of farm fields and the Channel in parts. Note: steep hill coming out of Port-En-Bessin. After that, it’s flat but also features some shor, steep hills. Follow the Vélomaritime (EV4) signs. MAP
South of Bayeux. South of the D572 loop rood, there are some paths along the Aure River. Also, beautiful running in the Normandy countryside toward the Abbaye Saint-Martin in Mondaye. These are primarily shared roads (note: no shoulder) but they’re low-trafficked and scenic. Follow the VéloWestNormandy signs on the east or west side. MAP
Running on the road approaching Mont Saint-Michel is a memorable experience. Fantastic views of the Abbey of Saint-Michel and surrounding coastal plain. Can add coastal spots around the Mont at low tide. Additional paths along the Couesnon River.
A great run with lots of variety in this historic, fortified town: Old Port & jetty, headland, medieval Upper Town, and beach/waterfront promenade. Hills, views, scenery & history! Running track off Rue de Roc.
Good running options at this historic site. Omaha Beach itself is very runnable, 8+ km. There's also a 3.4 km beachfront path, scenic cycle paths headed west & east of the beach, and quiet, interior 'hedgerow' roads.
Our 10k 'runseeing' tour of Caen includes its famous Caen Castle, two iconic Abbeys, and other key sites. There's also a nice path along the Orne River for 3.5 km and a gravel path along the Canal de Caen a la Mer for up to 14.5 km to the sea.
Lovely countryside in the Orne Valley. Best running option is to choose a section of the Vois Verte de la Suisse Normande, a multi-use path that runs from just south of Caen to Thury-Harcourt, following the Orne. Rolling hills, forests, open spaces.
Run the grounds of the most spectacular château in Normandy, located 14 km from Caen. One can do 3-4 km on paths around the Château's forests and gardens, or a longer tour that includes the Mue Valley's lovely landscape and the Château de Thaon.
Great running in this upscale seaside resort. Two great routes that can be run separately or combined are the 3 km promenade along Deauville Beach and a loop around Port-Deauville, including riverside paths and a promenade along Trouville Beach.
Lovely running in this charming town where the Seine meets the Channel. There's 12 km of riverfront paths, and paths around the picturesque harbor. Honfleur Beach is also great for running. Can also run across the Normandy Bridge to Le Havre!
An enjoyable 'runseeing' tour of France's second-largest port city, including the lighthouse, 2.5 km seafront promenade, paths around the port, and a jaunt through the city center. Can also run across the Normandy Bridge to Honfleur.
Running along the bluff of the white limestone cliffs of Étretat is one of the great running experiences in Normandy. Open windswept landscape, with dramatic views of the sea, the cliffs, and fields. The easier direction is headed east.
Nice running in this popular seaside resort. One can do a ~7 km waterfront run around the marina and along a beach promenade. There's also a nice run on the Promenade de Cap Fenet, which can be done separately or combined with the waterfront route.
A terrific 'runseeing' tour of this port and seaside resort city. Includes path along the marina, 1.5 km seafront promenade, the Château de Dieppe, and a jaunt through the city center.
Rouen is well-known for its picturesque old town, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Museum of Fine Arts. The best place to run is on paths along the Seine River. Up to 8 km between the Gustave-Flaubert Bridge and the Pierre Corneille Bridge.
The folks at Rouen Tourism have mapped two scenic routes incorporating historic manors and castles near Rouen, including some sections along the Seine and in the agricultural countryside.
Use this as an overview of Normandy's four huge regional parks. Those that are closest to our coastal routes are Boucles de la Seine and Marais du Cotentin et du Bessi. Vast opportunities for running on quiet rural roads, hiking trails, and cycle paths.
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