Côte d'albâtre and the baie de somme

Day 1: Le Havre - Etretat

Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 10am at Le Havre SNCF railway station. On request we can book the previous nights accommodation for you in Le Havre.

The ride begins with a tour of the centre of Le Havre, whose city centre isn’t the prettiest, having paid a heavy price during the second world war. However, some modern architectural projects along the docks are revitalizing the Norman city. The modern tower of the Saint Joseph du Havre church is the city's emblem, and Le Volcan, one of the most important theatres in France, also boasts avant-garde architecture. We then leave Le Havre and head north along the Côte d’Albâtre, our guide throughout the week. First opportunity to discover the surrounding countryside, as well as the many small villages perched above the coastline. We are now in the heart of the Caux region, a vast limestone plateau named after its first inhabitants. The coast takes its name from the colour of alabaster, a mineral whose many shades of white are present in the steep cliffs that plunge into the sea. We end the day at one of the symbols of the Côte d’Albâtre: the cliffs of Etretat, where some superb tracks allow us to reach the cliffs of Etretat by bike. We then settle into a small hotel in the centre of the village, before enjoying our first night by the sea.

• Level 1 and 2: approx. 40 km; altitude gain: approx. 250 m

Day 3: Fécamp – Veulettes-sur-Mer

The departure from Fécamp this morning is particularly tonic: the town is set deep into the valley of Valmont, which means we have to climb up and onto the nearby headland that overlooks the town and the sea. We continue our discovery of the coastline and the Cauchois country, with its peaceful villages surrounded by lush meadows, reed beds, peat bogs and forests. The narrow country lanes that criss cross the local countryside offer an ideal terrain for cycling. The local architecture also offers plenty to admire with its traditional cottages of red brick and thatched roofs. We pass through Sassetot le Mauconduit, whose chateau served as a residence for the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, otherwise known as Empress Sisi. A final descent at the end of the day leads us straight to our overnight stop, Veulettes-sur-Mer. Its long, broad, pebble beach offers a superb spot to watch the sun set over the high white cliffs and the Butte du Catelier. A great place to relax and unwind!

• Level 1: approx. 30 km; altitude gain: approx. 150 m
• Level 2: approx. 35 km; altitude gain: approx. 400 m

Day 5: Veules-les-Roses - Dieppe

Difficult to leave such a pretty village, and we wouldn’t be surprised to hear that you come back for another visit in the future! We head north again today, following the Côte d’Albatre.We pass through Sotteville sur Mer, before hugging the coastline on a narrow back road that leads us to Saint Aubain and Quiberville. We take the time to visit Saint Marguerite sur Mer and its 12th century Romanesque church, before an optional out and back trip to the small lighthouse of Ailly. We also cross the village of Varengeville sur Mer, a popular holiday destination for the Parisian bourgeoisie in centuries past. The level 2 route heads off on an extra loop inland. We pick up a section of the Route du Lin cycle route from Luneray to Pourville sur mer in the Saâne valley. We then drop down once again from the limestone plateau of the Caux region towards the sea. Tonight, we stopover in the town of Dieppe. Dieppe is undoubtedly the Norman town that boasts the richest maritime past. Known as the city of four ports, Dieppe took full advantage of its privileged position: its port offers the closest access to the sea from Paris. Despite paying a heavy price during the Hundred Years' War, as well as during the Second World War, Dieppe nonetheless retains some charming remnants from an era when Parisians began to flock to the beaches of the English Channel. Dieppe Castle also deserves a visit: dating back to the 15th century, it was built to fight against France’s long-standing enemy, England. We settle into a guest house, before making the most of Dieppe’s many restaurants and Norman specialities.

• Level 1: approx. 30 km; altitude gain: approx. 350 m
• Level 2: approx. 45 km; altitude gain: approx. 450 m

Day 7: Le Tréport - Baie de Somme - Noyelles-sur-Mer

We leave Le Tréport this morning for the last stage of our journey. The Norman countryside gives way to the department of the Somme and the region of the Picardie. This morning’s itinerary hugs the English Channel, and little by little, the vast Baie de Somme comes into view. The high white cliffs give way to the flat Picardie coast. Our route takes us along a fine line between the land and the sea, as here (unlike the plateau of the Pays de Caux, protected from the sea by its natural cliffs), Man has had to fight against the onslaught of the English Channel. From Cayeux sur Mer we ride along dikes until we reach Saint Valéry en Somme, on the south shore of the bay, one of the three ports, with the Crotoy (north shore) and the Hourdel. The Baie de Somme is a birdwatcher’s paradise, and there are numerous information signs along the route of the bay. The tour finishes in style at Saint Valéry en Somme railway station where we board a small tourist train, whose locomotives date back to the first quarter of the 20th century! The train takes us on a tour of the bay before dropping us off at Noyelles sur Mer, a small town that marks the end of our journey.

• Level 1 and 2: approx. 35 km; altitude gain: negligible

Itinerary end: France Bike Trips services end in Noyelles-sur-Mer mid afternoon on day 7. On request we can book the following nights accommodation for you in Noyelles-sur-Mer.

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.