Port-en-Bessin-Huppain / Arromanches-les-Bains

At the start of this stage stands Port-en-Bessin, its port always lively when the fishing boats return, particularly during the scallop season. Head on to discover pretty villages, their lanes lined with long stone walls, and manor-style farms dotted along narrow country lanes. You then reach Arromanches and its famed artificial Mulberry Harbour, towed over from England following the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 as part of the greater Operation Overlord to win back Normandy.

The route

Beyond Port-en-Bessin, at time of writing, you need to follow a provisional diversion heading slightly inland. This stretch allows you to reach Etréham and Longues-sur-Mer. Signposting will be put in place in time for June 2021, but if travelling earlier than that, remember to download the GPX tracks. You join the coast at the level of Longues Batteries, from where a greenway leads you as far as Arromanches."

SNCF

• Nearby station Bayeux station (10 km from Port-en-Bessin-Huppain), served by Normandy Intercity trains Paris-Saint-Lazare <> Cherbourg or Saint-Lô, via Caen, and Normandy TER trains.