Want to cycle without missing any of our must-see attractions? This tool is designed to help you enjoy a safe cycling trip.
With safe bike paths, fresh sea air, and charming villages, Cœur de Nacre is perfect to explore.
No Tour de France skills needed here: these varied, accessible routes perfectly suit families and casual cyclists.
Along the Vélomaritime, every pedal stroke invites you to explore the Normandy coast in a new way.
The Vélomaritime: the classic route with the scent of sea spray
Between land and sea on the Voie Verte de la Liberté. © Les 4 Vandrouilleurs / Calvados Attractivité
Discover Cœur de Nacre’s iconic seaside resorts along the accessible Vélomaritime cycle route.
Between Courseulles-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, and Luc-sur-Mer, cyclists can enjoy a marked, safe, and nearly flat route.
Translation: Here, your legs won’t get too tired… but your eyes will have plenty to see! Belle Époque villas, bustling boardwalks, historic beaches, and seaside views follow one after another.
This EuroVelo 4 section offers peaceful coastal cycling past the historical and natural treasures of Côte de Nacre.
You can cycle at your own pace, stopping for some artisanal ice cream, a picnic overlooking the waves, or a souvenir photo at sunset.
A route designed for a relaxing bike ride
The “Cœur de Nacre à Vélo” map is an essential guide for cyclists looking for a simple experience.
Available for free at the tourist offices in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Luc-sur-Mer, and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, it lists the destination’s greenways, bike paths, and shared-use paths.
That way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises… and those sudden U-turns that make your GPS seem like it’s going through an existential crisis.
With this handy guide, visitors can easily see the connections between the seaside resorts, the D-Day beaches, the natural areas, and the inland towns.
The routes are suitable for both casual cyclists and those who regularly go on long rides.
The destination’s real strength lies in the diversity of its facilities.
Families particularly enjoy the safe sections along the coast, while more experienced cyclists take advantage of the routes to Caen, Bayeux, or Houlgate.
Everything has been designed to encourage gentle, enjoyable travel in an environment where the sea is almost always within sight.
Cirkwi: the smart co-pilot for bike rides
A cycling getaway along the trails of Calvados. © Vincent Rustuel
No more lost explorers checking maps: Cirkwi provides seamless, step-by-step guidance for cyclists.
Because we love to travel light, the app quickly becomes the perfect companion for visitors.
Accessible directly from a smartphone, it lets you explore the geolocated bike routes available in the area.
The courses on offer are varied and suitable for all levels.
Some prefer historical sites, others the sea views or the more scenic routes through the Normandy countryside.
You can view the details of each route, including distance, duration, difficulty level and points of interest.
Cirkwi also provides access to enriched content: historical anecdotes, old photographs, interactive quizzes and suggestions for gourmet breaks.
Children enjoy the trail’s treasure-hunt vibe, while adults appreciate the clear, intuitive navigation.
From Courseulles-sur-Mer to Houlgate the must-do coastal walk
It’s impossible to talk about cycling in the Cœur de Nacre region without mentioning this iconic route linking Courseulles-sur-Mer to Houlgate via Luc-sur-Mer.
The route offers a succession of typical seaside landscapes: elegant sea walls, old villas, colourful beach huts and long stretches of sand.
The route is particularly popular with families thanks to its gentle gradient and the many opportunities it offers for a break.
In Courseulles-sur-Mer, visitors can extend their experience by exploring the Juno Beach Centre or taking a stroll around the harbour.
In Luc-sur-Mer, the pier is the perfect spot for watching the sunset.
As for those with a sweet tooth, they’ll have no trouble finding a cosy terrace where they can enjoy a crêpe or a well-deserved ice cream after their exertions.
From Port-en-Bessin to Courseulles-sur-Mer: the Vélomaritime, a blend of history and open sea
Stretching for almost 29 kilometres, this route alternates between cycle paths, greenways and quiet country lanes, taking in the famous D-Day beaches. Here, every turn of the pedals takes you through a landscape steeped in history: Juno Beach, Gold Beach, Arromanches-les-Bains and the cliffs of Longues-sur-Mer combine to create a route that is as moving as it is spectacular.
Setting off from Courseulles-sur-Mer immediately immerses you in a typically Norman seaside atmosphere.
The fishing port, bustling quays and wide sandy beaches line the route as cyclists make their way towards the wilder landscapes of the Bessin coast.
The route remains accessible to as many people as possible thanks to a mix of well-maintained paths and quiet country lanes.
Even occasional cyclists can enjoy this adventure to the full, provided they’re prepared to tackle a few short climbs around Port-en-Bessin.
The route then passes through Arromanches-les-Bains, a must-see stop on the Vélomaritime. The remains of the artificial D-Day harbour can be seen in the distance, whilst the cliffs offer spectacular views of the English Channel.
Between Asnelles and Ver-sur-Mer, cyclists ride close to the coast, passing through unspoilt countryside, marshes and historic beaches.
Arriving in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain is like stepping into the authentic world of Normandy’s ports.
Here, the fishing boats set the pace of daily life, and the terraces overlooking the harbour invite you to take a well-deserved break.
Food lovers will, of course, appreciate the freshly landed seafood… after all, cycling always works up an appetite.
Cycle routes from Caen to the Côte de Nacre:
Cycling from Caen to the Côte de Nacre has never been easier. Thanks to a network of cycle paths, greenways and safe routes, visitors can reach the coast with complete peace of mind.
Far from the traffic, this gentle route allows you to gradually discover the landscapes of Normandy, taking in its urban heritage, the maritime canal and the seaside atmosphere.
From the Bassin Saint-Pierre in Caen, cyclists follow specially designated routes that run alongside the Caen Canal all the way to the sea.
This particularly pleasant stretch appeals to families as well as day trippers looking for an easy ride. The virtually flat terrain makes for a smooth and enjoyable ride, ideal for older people or those who enjoy a leisurely ride.
Along the way, there are several unmissable stops.
The famous Pegasus Bridge serves as a reminder of the history of the D-Day landings, whilst the banks of the canal offer peaceful scenery where swans, barges and pleasure boats accompany cyclists.
As you approach the Côte de Nacre, the atmosphere gradually changes.
The seaside resorts of Luc-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer and Courseulles-sur-Mer come into view, with their bustling promenades, Belle Époque villas and long beaches opening out onto the English Channel.
These routes then take you directly to the Vélomaritime cycle path, where you can continue your adventure towards the D-Day beaches or the Bessin region.
