St Malo to Le Havre with 4 nice towns for overnight stops

[lozfuller]

Been doing a bit of research for the best route between these ports for a cycling holiday we're doing in May on mountain/hybrid bikes. Would like to stop at some nice towns along the way for each overnight stop with a reasonable choice of bars/restaurants and preferably somewhere nice to stop between them for lunch!

I've come across the following options (using google maps) and would be really grateful for any views as to which one to opt for!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/S...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

OR

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/S...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

OR

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/S...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

OR any alternatives I should consider?!!

Many thanks

 

[gavroche]

As I know the area pretty well, I would advise the first one. Nice scenic road, undulating mind with some nice hills, specially from StJames to St Hilaire, then to Domfront, nice straight road mostly downhill and Bagnolle with a nice lake and good restaurants. I used to have a house near Bagnolle. From Bagnolle to Falaise is up and down again. Wish I could come with you.

 

[mmmmartin]

hotel de france in domfront was good to us. we had 25 cyclists around the town, took the hotel over. restaurant is good, very good steak. bikes all went in the large room round the back. recommended.

 

[lozfuller]

As I know the area pretty well, I would advise the first one. Nice scenic road, undulating mind with some nice hills, specially from StJames to St Hilaire, then to Domfront, nice straight road mostly downhill and Bagnolle with a nice lake and good restaurants. I used to have a house near Bagnolle. From Bagnolle to Falaise is up and down again. Wish I could come with you.

Thanks gavroche (and mmmartin!)

 

[Dogtrousers]

I know the area of the third route (Cérences - Coutances area) well, and it's very nice. But really, I don't think you can go wrong - lots of nice rural roads, plenty of small pretty towns, each with a handy café to stop at. Quite lumpy at times, and if you were to stray into Suisse Normande to the West of Falaise, very lumpy. I envy you.

(Take good waterproofs. There's a reason why the grass is so lush and the cheese is so rich!)

 

[Oldbloke]

Have you checked this site? http://www.voiesvertes.com/ ? Shows all the old railways now surfaced for easy cycling.

I know the one from Pontaubault (near Mt St Michel) to Flers, some long inclines but not too demanding. Domfront area has some good restaurants, look out for the one at Pont de Caen. If in St Hilaire DH, try L'hotel Agricole, 2 kms from the path.

If you go this way, don't bother stopping in Flers, ugly town apart from the chateau.

 

[Donger]

I know Honfleur is very close to the finish, but a visit to the boat basin with its waterfront cafes and restaurants is a must. Very nice for an evening meal after dark, but would be pleasant in the daytime too. Once stayed at the Cheval Blanc nearby and enjoyed the place (apart from all the pretentious art studios). Also enjoyed the hilly "Suisse Normande" area that you seem to be heading through. I think there was a "Route des crets" that picked a nice picturesque route through the area. Enjoy!

 

[BalkanExpress]

I know the area of the third route (Cérences - Coutances area) well, and it's very nice. But really, I don't think you can go wrong - lots of nice rural roads, plenty of small pretty towns, each with a handy café to stop at. Quite lumpy at times, and if you were to stray into Suisse Normande to the West of Falaise, very lumpy. I envy you.

(Take good waterproofs. There's a reason why the grass is so lush and the cheese is so rich!)

This.

I'm looking at all the routes thinking, great there is this and that but then what about....

A couple of very personal suggestions In Granville the restaurant Picorrete serves the best chocolate fondant dessert I gave ever eaten, I would happily detour to check this is still the case. There is also a lot of calvados to be sampled, find the time to visit one or more producer, Boulard outside Lisieux are one of the bigger producers but they are not "Corporate" and save a little space in the panniers for a bottle and some cheese.

Have a great trip!

 

[lozfuller]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Oldbloke - One of my crew will now be on a road bike - are the http://www.voiesvertes.com/ suitable for road bikes / does the surface vary?

 

[Oldbloke]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Oldbloke - One of my crew will now be on a road bike - are the http://wThww.voiesvertes.com/ suitable for road bikes / does the surface vary?

The lane/path has a good firm surface, very fine gravel which is regularly rolled and well serviced. I used my road bike on it a few times between Ducey and Domfront without problems, even on 23mm tyres.

From Domfront to Flers the surface changes to mostly firm footpath which is fine when dry but not to good on narrow tyres after rain. Easy to swap to roads if necessary.

Let me know if you need more info...

 

[lozfuller]

Sorry to resurrect this post, but could anyone confirm to me if you can cycle along the A29 between Honfleur and Le Havre (i.e. over the bridge) as per the following Google route?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/H...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

If not, then what is shown as a 24.3 km route on the above will turn into a 61.5 km route as far as I can see, as shown below:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/H...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

Many thanks - this could make all the difference between choosing Ouistreham instead of Le Havre for the return ferry!

 

[mmmmartin]

yes, i have ridden it. there is a cycle path. to access the cycle path you follow the small roads to the north of the approach to the roundabout and go past a run-down site with caravans then turn left. There is a cycle path on the bridge, which is, alas, merely a painted white line with the occasional silhouette of a cyclist painted on the road. Look at Google Streetview for the bridge itself.
As you approach the payage be careful you don't end up at the top of the pedestrian steps and have to carry the bike down them. Stay on the main carriageway and go through the gates like the cars. You'll be free, obvs.
But do make sure you are really sure of how to get on that cycle oath otherwise you'll be dodging the heavy lorries and cars on the roundabouts - the cyclists' route is designed to keep you away from them.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I have driven rather than cycled over it and I can honestly say I have never been so scared in a car in all my life

It was a very windy day and a couple of gusts had us veering badly. On subsequent trips I have taken the long way round!

I don't know how often it closes due to wind but it is something to bear in mind if you have to be in Honfleur by a certain time.

 

[TheDoctor]

I can concur that bikes can cross the Honfleur bridge. It's really high and quite steep. Personally, I would get the ferry from Ouistreham anyway, but that's just me. Didn't like Le Havre much last time I passed through.

 

[wintonbina]

Sorry to resurrect this post, but could anyone confirm to me if you can cycle along the A29 between Honfleur and Le Havre (i.e. over the bridge) as per the following Google route?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/H...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

If not, then what is shown as a 24.3 km route on the above will turn into a 61.5 km route as far as I can see, as shown below:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/H...bc1867aaf33af12!2m2!1d0.107929!2d49.49437!3e1

Many thanks - this could make all the difference between choosing Ouistreham instead of Le Havre for the return ferry!

Yes, we rode across the bridge and found it really good especially the down bit!