Updated on 29 June 2020
Reading time: 3 minutes
Normandy is a well-known mountain biking destination for the variety of its landscapes and great trails options. Whether it’s family-friendly rides on flat terrain or more challenging mountain biking on rugged terrain you’re after, all five of Normandy’s départements offer stunning cycle routes and mountain biking trails to suit all abilities.
The Calvados département is one of the ‘must ride’ areas for mountain biking. It features several mountain bike sites, some of which are labelled by the French Cyclotourism Federation, such as in the bocage virois or the valleys of the Suisse Normande for more challenging riding. Mountain biking trails can also be found around Lisieux and around Falaise. For inspiration, check out the cycle guide for itineraries in Calvados by selecting them in ‘targets’ – ‘mountain bike’.
Whether you’re an adrenaline-seeking speed addict, a cross country fanatic craving a leg-stretching long ride, or simply want to experience off-road biking in a beautiful and inspiring environment — the Eure département has got the mountain biking trails for you, such as the Chemin des sources bleues trail in Aizier or the Chemin du Rossignol in Saint-Philbert-sur-Risle. Find more information here.
The Manche département offers a striking collection of cycling and mountain biking opportunities, with more than 100 mountain bike trails that showcase the area’s diverse landscapes from Tatihou to the Mont-Saint-Michel, via Saint-Lô or Villedieu-Les-Poêles. From advanced competitors to beginners and families, you can also discover trails to suit your skill level on the mountain bike website labeled by the French Cyclist Federation in the Vallée de la Sée.
Discover more than 80 dedicated mountain bike trails in the Seine-Maritime département around Auffay, Bacqueville-en-Caux, Longueville-sur-Scie, Mesnières-en-Bray, Neufchatel-en-Bray or in the Val-de-Saane. So, grab your helmet and head out for a beautiful mountain bike ride from the selection here. The mountain bike federation VTT-FFC website in Caux Vallée de Seine also features some itineraries here.
Explore kilometres of mountain biking trails in the Orne département, from gentle family friendly off-road routes in the forest to bike skills areas or adrenaline-fueled downhill MTB. The area boasts four mountain bike sites acknowledged by the cycling federation: the Andaines and Donfrontais site, the Alpes Mancelles site, the Pays d’Auge site and the Suisse-Normande mountain biking website. Find all more useful information here.
MOUNTAIN bike trails in normandy
Le pôle universitaire des Docks
Plusieurs projets architecturaux récents abritant des écoles d’enseignement supérieur (Ecole Nationale Supérieure Maritime (ENSM), Sciences Po Asie, Ecole de Management de Normandie (EMN)…) ont pris place dans ce quartier en pleine requalification urbaine depuis le déplacement du port.
Aux abords du bassin de l’Eure, l’ENSM, conçue en 2015 par les architectes AIA Associés, Laurent Pérusat et J-Pierre Buffi, se distingue par sa silhouette évoquant un navire. Son enveloppe de résille métallique aux reflets sombres qui fluctuent suivant les saisons, les heures du jour et les variations climatiques, contraste avec la façade du bâtiment qui lui fait face au revêtement clair et nacré.
Totem architectural au centre du campus maritime, cet édifice aux volumes géométriques conçu par l’agence Groupe 6, accueille aujourd’hui l’EMN, une école de commerce qui existe au Havre depuis 1871, et l’Ecole 42.
Il est temps de retourner vers le centre-ville pour explorer un quartier singulier où cohabitent vestiges d’avant-guerre et architecture de la Reconstruction.
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