Ouistreham / Cabourg
After enjoying a well-deserved swim from one of Ouistreham's beaches, time to continue your Vélomaritime trip. The cycle route takes you down beside the Orne River, which you cross via the famed Pegasus Bridge, at the most iconic spot secured by the Allies at the start of D-Day 1944, then you carry on back north beside the Bay of the Orne. A paradise for birds and people who love unspoilt nature, this enchanting area is well explained at the Maison de la Nature in Sallenelles. Once back at the coast, an iconic resort along Normandy's Côte Fleurie comes into view, Cabourg, where great Belle Epoque writer Marcel Proust left an indelible mark.
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
From Ouistreham to Cabourg, you mainly cycle along greenways around the Bay of the Orne. These stretches are very easy to cycle along.
🚧 Roadworks on the Ranville bridge (RD 514) begin on August 17 and will last several months. Cyclists may still pass, but must dismount. The result: a renovated bridge and a new, safe greenway!
🚧 The route along the embankment between the Ranville bridge and Sallenelles is closed to traffic. A diversion is in place; please follow the route marked with a dashed black line on the map.
SNCF
- Nearby stations: Caen (10 km from Bénouville on the Vélofrancette) and Cabourg-Dives in the immediate vicinity of the itinerary (seasonal line serving the mainline station in Deauville)
