Port-en-Bessin-Huppain / Arromanches-les-Bains
At the start of this stage stands Port-en-Bessin, its port always lively when the fishing boats return, particularly during the scallop season. Head on to discover pretty villages, their lanes lined with long stone walls, and manor-style farms dotted along narrow country lanes. You then reach Arromanches and its famed artificial Mulberry Harbour, towed over from England following the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 as part of the greater Operation Overlord to win back Normandy.
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
Upstream of Port-en-Bessin, the route provides for a temporary bypass back to the coast. If you opt for a getaway to Port-en-Bessin, you will then have to retrace your steps to go back to Huppain to find the marked route via Etréham. You join the coast at the level of Longues Batteries, from where a greenway leads you as far as Arromanches. You join the coast at the level of Longues Batteries, from where a greenway leads you as far as Arromanches.
Link
From Longues-sur-Mer go to Bayeux station (12 km).
SNCF
- Nearby station Bayeux station (10 km from Port-en-Bessin-Huppain), served by Normandy Intercity trains Paris-Saint-Lazare <> Cherbourg or Saint-Lô, via Caen, and Normandy TER trains.
