This Vélomaritime stage leads you straight towards the highlight of Normandy's Côte d'Albâtre, Étretat! First, head out from Le Havre, the port rebuilt postwar to architect Auguste Perret's design and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving the urban bustle, make the most of the peace and calm of such breathtaking sites as Antifer Lighthouse and the Valleuse de Saint-Jouin-Bruneval, with its markedly maritime atmosphere. Carry on cycling to reach the famed resort of Étretat, also known in French fiction as the home of gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin!

Leaving behind Étretat's shingle beach and spectacular cliffs, the Falaises d'Amont and d'Aval, your Vélomaritime journey continues into the green countryside behind the coast, passing via the villages of Saint-Léonard and Les Loges, to be enjoyed as you cycle through them. Then you descend towards Fécamp, once a major centre for the medieval Dukes of Normandy.

This Vélomaritime stage is packed with history. Leaving Fécamp, admire the breathtaking views from Senneville's coastal semaphore station. Along this stretch, you follow in the footsteps of famed 19th-century Austrian Empress Elisabeth, or Sissi, who found solace bathing in the sea below the cliffs of the Petites and Grandes Dalles and resting at the peaceful Château de Sassetot-le-Mauconduit. For a gentle, family-friendly alternative between Fécamp and Dieppe, ride along the Véloroute du Lin (find more information on this below).Pour une alternative douce et familiale entre Fécamp et Dieppe, empruntez la Véloroute du Lin (plus d'informations ci-dessous).

From Saint-Valery-en-Caux to Dieppe, the Vélomaritime leads cyclists via some of the finest little gems along eastern Normandy's Côte d'Albâtre stretch of coast. At Veules-les-Roses, meander down beside the diminutive Veules River through the lovely lanes of this member of the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. At Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer, along the promenade, take in this resort's famed beach huts. At Varengeville-sur-Mer, tackle the slope up to the cliffside chapel with its magnificent Channel views, also evoked in a stained-glass window inside, by great Cubist artist George Braque.

Your cycling trip along the highest white limestone cliffs in Europe draws to an end as the Vélomaritime leads you along the last portion of eastern Normandy's Côte d'Albâtre stretch of coast, with typical steep little valleys, or valleuses, cutting through to the sea up to Le Tréport. This resort's charms, including its multicoloured villas and lively fishing port, will encourage you to stop for a well-deserved rest.

After enjoying a last look at Mers-les-Bains's cliffs and Belle Epoque villas, the Vélomaritime leads you away from the coast to Bourseville. Do stray off the cycle route if you wish to stop at Le Bois de Cise or Ault, resorts that recall the Art Deco period and its fashion for sea-bathing. Up to Cayeux-sur-Mer, you then cycle through the Hable d'Ault, a long-established lagoon protected from the sea by a pebble bank and today a haven for many species of birds.

Cayeux-sur-Mer marks the start of your exploration of the Bay of the Somme. By way of introduction, stop at the Pointe du Hourdel and visit the Maison de la Baie de Somme here to learn about the many facets of the Somme Estuary. Scanning the horizon, you may be lucky enough to spot seals. Next, you ride along La Route Blanche, close to the sea, the dunes and stretches of pebbles, before a greenway provides an easy path to the centre of the resort of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, with its lively port and fishermen's cottages overseen by the medieval hilltop quarter. At this resort, it is possible to board the tourist train of the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, along with your bike, avoiding the cycle lane that runs beside the road up to Noyelles-sur-Mer. Finally, you reach Le Crotoy, a resort boasting unbeatable views over the Bay of the Somme.

On this Vélomaritime stage, you ride from the Bay of the Somme to the Bay of Authie. Leaving Le Crotoy, enjoy this resort's lovely views over the Somme Estuary before cycling around to the Parc du Marquenterre, a fabulous place for bird-watching, set in the heart of the Réserve Naturelle de la Baie de Somme. This stage then takes you beside northern Europe's largest range of sand dunes, rising between Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont and Quend Plage. Finally, skirt around the Bay of Authie to reach the resort of Berck-sur-Mer, with its vast, 12km-long beach made of fine sand. Time to consider replacing your bike with a sandyacht!

Enjoy a last look at the ballet of kites and sandyachts flitting across Berck's vast beach before continuing along the Vélomaritime towards the famed seaside resort of Le Touquet. More formally entitled Touquet-Paris-Plage, the place is stylish and elegant, characterized by wooded avenues, remarkable villas and many cycle paths. But before reaching Le Touquet, there are further delightful seaside resorts to explore such as Stella-Plage and Merlimont-Plage.

The Vélomaritime takes you round the Bay of the Canche via Étaples, a port with the largest British military cemetery in France. Then you ride beside Mont Saint-Frieux Nature Reserve. For a lunchtime rest, choose either to head back to the coast, following the link to the resort of Hardelot, nestled between sea and forest, or to stop at the Château d'Hardelot, with its cycling facilities, a place to grab a bite, plus the castle to visit. Finally comes Boulogne-sur-Mer, France's leading fishing port, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its cultural riches. Beside the main town beach, Nausicaá, boasting Europe's largest aquarium, is a sealife centre that transports you deep into the world's oceans!

After Boulogne-sur-mer, La Vélomaritime takes you to the Grand Site de France des Deux-Caps. In Wimereux, admire the colorful Anglo-Norman style villas. Before reaching Cap Gris-Nez, the closest point to England, plan a stop at the Maison du Site des Deux Caps in Audinghen, a must for the discovery of this exceptional site. Take advantage of the magnificent viewpoints on the Cap Blanc Nez and the Bay of Wissant. Calais is worth the detour, take advantage of being on a bike to visit the city and discover the belfry of the Town Hall, the City of Lace or for an unusual trip on the back of the Dragon!

The Vélomaritime leaves Calais, the leading French port for crossings to England, guiding you towards Le Platier d'Oye Nature Reserve, a major European ornithological site. Welcome to the Pays des Wateringues, a part of the wider Flandres Maritimes area (French coastal Flanders)! This stage ends at Gravelines, the port's fortifications, designed by Louis XIV's great engineer Vauban, superbly preserved and a pleasure to walk around.

Leaving the fortified town of Gravelines, your Vélomaritime cycling adventure leads you to France's third largest port, Dunkirk. Known to the French as the home of naval adventurer Jean Bart, it has a major maritime heritage, celebrated at its Musée Portuaire and with its tall ship, Le Duchesse-Anne. Also do visit the Musée Dunkerque 1940 - Operation Dynamo, as well, of course, as the town's belfries, part of a regional UNESCO World Heritage Site.