A foodie bike tour with local guide

Imagine a foodie tour where you actually burn calories – that’s the dream, right? Well, this guided bike tour of Bayeux will have you pedalling from one place to another, sampling all kinds of delicious Normandy food along the way! We followed local guide Hugo down country lanes and cycle paths, immersing ourselves in Normandy’s amazing sights, tastes and smells...

An easy ride for all

Enjoy a memorable bike tour, cycling at your own pace and indulging your taste buds at every rest-stop! This is the specialism of Hugo’s company, Petite Reine (which literally means Little Queen, a reference to the humble bicycle). Early in the morning, we set off for a 35km bike ride, departing from the pretty medieval town of Bayeux, a must-see in Calvados. Hugo gives us a short briefing on using power-assisted electric bikes. For my first time ever on one, I found it fun, easy to use and brilliant for people like me who enjoy a power boost while pedalling! Much sportier than us, Hugo prefers riding his mountain bike. Off we go in the direction of Asnelles-sur-Mer, cycling down small country lanes through idyllic scenery and picture-perfect villages.

JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

Primarily known for its long sandy beach along the D-Day coast, the town of Asnelles is also famous for its shortbread biscuits. Hugo wants us to discover and taste the famous delicacies made with Isigny butter. We quickly understand why the biscuit factory, created in 1904, has become an institution! Our next stop is the town of Arromanches where we discover the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour and the strategic role it played in the D-Day Landings, a fascinating part of our history remarkably well explained by Hugo.

A local picnic with sea views

Time has come for us to have lunch, with amazing sea views of course! Hugo puts together a traditional picnic for us with local products, offering essential Norman gastronomy and also some discoveries*. The red and white checkered tablecloth is set. The cheese platter (with Camembert and Pont-l’évêque) and the charcuterie is ready to be enjoyed. And for dessert, it will be teurgoule, a Norman specialty made using rice and milk, and flavored with cinnamon. Yummy!

Norman cider and apple juice

On our next stop, another local specialty awaits! We hop on our bikes and head to the Grand Fumichon cider farm in Vaux-sur-Aure. The setting is typical of the Bessin area. We pass under a magnificent stone porch and discover the buildings which form the Grand Fumichon farm. We are welcomed by Thomas who will accompany us for this visit and for the tastings afterwards. Dating from the 16th century, we learn that the farm has always had this cider-making tradition. Thomas then takes us to visit the beautiful old press. There are inscriptions and traces of the evaporation of alcohol on the walls, which remind us that the place has a true history and spirit…

Here at the Grand Fumichon farm, several traditional ciders are produced with a wide variety of cider apples. Thomas then takes us to his shop, and serves us a glass of their tasty apple juice. It’s delicious and very refreshing! We also discover and taste the rest of his products such as calvados, which he talks about with passion! We toast to this beautiful, memorable, historic, gourmet day before returning to Bayeux. What a great day of cycling and learning about Normandy’s regional cuisine!

HUGO GUILLOCHIN

Tour guide

Addicted to cycling since his childhood, Hugo has extensive knowledge of the Calvados département of Normandy and thrives in sharing his passion for the region with visitors.