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Recommend an establishmentNormandy by Motorcycle
Between the alabaster cliffs, the Norman bocage, the Cotentin Peninsula and the D-Day beaches, Normandy is a riding region of unsuspected richness for those who take the time to explore it properly. Its varied landscape alternates between coastal roads overlooking the English Channel, sunken lanes through the bocage, deep state forests and the sweeping bends of the Seine and Orne valleys. Riders particularly appreciate Normandy for the quality of its back roads and the sheer density of its heritage. In just a few hours of riding, you can follow the cliffs between Étretat and Fécamp, cut through the bocage of the Norman Perche, hug the Seine between Rouen and Les Andelys, or ride the Cotentin roads all the way to the Pointe de la Hague. The main roads are easily avoided, and the real pleasure lies on the small routes linking abbeys, manor houses and half-timbered villages. With five departments each with their own distinct character, Normandy lends itself perfectly to a grand week-long tour combining coastline and inland riding. To plan your stops along the way, Bivo makes it easy to find motorcycle-friendly accommodation with secure bike parking, so you can make the most of everything this region has to offer.
Normandy's Departments for Your Next Motorcycle Road Trip
To Help You Choose Your Next Motorcycle Destination
The department of the D-Day landings and historic beaches, but also bocage back roads and the valleys of the Auge and Orne. The beach road between Ouistreham and Sainte-Mère-Église is a route steeped in history. Inland, the Pays d'Auge with its orchard roads and half-timbered manor houses, camembert and calvados in the background, offers a more intimate side of Normandy that's every bit as captivating. Caen makes a practical base for exploring in every direction.
A department of forests and sweeping Seine meanders, often crossed but rarely truly explored. The routes along the Seine loops between Les Andelys and Rouen, the beech forests of Lyons, and the roads of the Pays d'Ouche and Norman Vexin make for a varied and uncrowded ride. Les Andelys and its Château Gaillard are a must-stop. An ideal department for a riding stage between Paris and the rest of Normandy.
The Cotentin Peninsula is one of the wildest and most captivating territories in the region for riders. The Pointe de la Hague, the cliffs of Nez de Jobourg, the coastal roads between Granville and Avranches and Mont-Saint-Michel at the end of the run make for an exceptional itinerary. Cherbourg is a handy entry point from England and Ireland, making it a natural first stop for riders arriving by ferry.
The most rural and least-visited department in Normandy, and one of the most enjoyable to ride. The Perche roads, with their manor houses, forests and sunken lanes, are consistently beautiful. The Haras du Pin stud farm and the hills of the Alpes Mancelles, on the border with Sarthe, round out an authentic and unspoilt department. Alençon makes a pleasant stop, and the roads toward Maine and nearby Brittany flow on naturally.
The alabaster cliffs between Étretat and Dieppe are among the most spectacular landscapes in France, and the roads that run alongside them are the finest way to take it all in. Rouen and its Gothic cathedral deserve a proper stop. The roads of the Pays de Caux, the Pays de Bray and the Seine loops between Rouen and Le Havre offer varied riding between sea, forests and valleys. A department that delivers exceptional heritage and roads with real character.