Caen / Thury-Harcourt

Once you’ve gone round Caen’s marina, explore the city via its ‘green lungs’, notably the racecourse and a special Espace Naturel Sensible, an environmentally protected area. Continue south beside the Orne River, taking the greenway into La Suisse Normande’s hills. This portion runs along a former railway line, offering an exceptionally peaceful route, a delight for nature lovers.

The route

This stage is easy, entirely on a greenway beside the Orne River as you head south from Caen’s racecourse.

Tourist Offices

• Caen Tourist Office
• La Suisse Normande 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

Caen: Sunday mornings, Place Courtonne / Friday mornings, Place Saint-Sauveur
Thury-Harcourt: Tuesday mornings, Place de la Mairie

Don’t miss

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.