Ouistreham / Caen
Start at Ouistreham, the Normandy ferry port north of Caen, its strand renowned as Sword Beach, its codename during the Allied liberation of France that began on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Take the towpath-turned-greenway beside the Canal de l’Orne; pay homage to the British airborne troops who took the vital crossing nicknamed Pegasus Bridge the night before D-Day. A cycle track leads on to the marina in central Caen. This city boasts splendid buildings dating back to William the Conqueror’s reign, while the Mémorial de Caen is a major war museum.
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
The route
This stage is easy. Start out either from the ferry terminal itself, or from the wide esplanade in front of Ouistreham’s beach. Follow a cycle track to join the greenway that goes alongside the Canal de l’Orne and then continue as far as Caen’s marina.
Tourist Offices
SNCF Train Services
Caen train station
Trains on the major Intercités route linking Paris Saint-Lazare - Cherbourg
Trains on the major Intercités route linking Caen - Le Mans -Tours
Regional TER trains that allow you to carry your bike on board, serving Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Lô, Coutances, Lisieux, Alençon
www.ter.sncf.com/basse-normandie
Markets
Ouistreham: Tuesday and Saturday mornings, Place de la Grange aux Dîmes
Fish market: mornings, practically daily throughout the year, at the port
Caen: Sunday mornings, Place Courtonne;
Friday mornings, Place Saint-Sauveur
Don’t miss
Ouistreham: the promenade along Riva-Bella Beach; the fish market.
Caen: the medieval charm of the Le Vaugeux Quarter with its timber-frame houses; the views across town from the castle with its fine regional museums; the Mémorial de Caen, a museum dedicated to both war and peace.
