Ouistreham / Caen

Start at Ouistreham, the Normandy ferry port north of Caen, its strand renowned as Sword Beach, its codename during the Allied liberation of France that began on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Take the towpath-turned-greenway beside the Canal de l’Orne; pay homage to the British airborne troops who took the vital crossing nicknamed Pegasus Bridge the night before D-Day. A cycle track leads on to the marina in central Caen. This city boasts splendid buildings dating back to William the Conqueror’s reign, while the Mémorial de Caen is a major war museum.

The route

This stage is easy. Start out either from the ferry terminal itself, or from the wide esplanade in front of Ouistreham’s beach. Follow a cycle track to join the greenway that goes alongside the Canal de l’Orne and then continue as far as Caen’s marina.

Tourist Offices

• Ouistreham Tourist Office
• Caen Tourist Office

SNCF Train Services

Caen train station
Trains on the major Intercités route linking Paris Saint-Lazare - Cherbourg
Trains on the major Intercités route linking Caen - Le Mans -Tours
Regional TER trains that allow you to carry your bike on board, serving Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Lô, Coutances, Lisieux, Alençon
www.ter.sncf.com/basse-normandie

Markets

Ouistreham: Tuesday and Saturday mornings, Place de la Grange aux Dîmes
Fish market: mornings, practically daily throughout the year, at the port
Caen: Sunday mornings, Place Courtonne;
Friday mornings, Place Saint-Sauveur

Don’t miss

Ouistreham: the promenade along Riva-Bella Beach; the fish market.
Caen: the medieval charm of the Le Vaugeux Quarter with its timber-frame houses; the views across town from the castle with its fine regional museums; the Mémorial de Caen, a museum dedicated to both war and peace.