Normandy, by bike or on a hike!
Why stop at our guesthouse during your journey?
Our guesthouse, "Les Bruyères du Mont," has been awarded the "Accueil Vélo" (Cyclist Welcome) label by France Vélo Tourisme since July 2014 (renewed annually). This label guarantees quality services for cyclists throughout their journey.
Furthermore, to make your trip easier and allow you to travel light with complete peace of mind, we offer luggage transport through La Malle Postale.
We offer, upon reservation, a meal tray for dining in, a picnic basket for the day, and breakfast with flexible timings if you wish, so you can continue your journey with complete peace of mind.
You can also maintain your bicycles (pump and repair kit), clean them, and store them overnight (secure, enclosed bicycle garage).
Finally, if you'd like to cycle for the day, you can rent a bike from IRIS SPORT. You'll have access to a wide range of bikes for rent for the duration of your choice, and Iris Location will deliver your bike directly to your guesthouse free of charge! Bike repairs are also provided in case of any problems.
Where to go cycling in the Manche region?
First, if you'd like to cycle for a day during your stay, the region offers numerous routes and greenways for cyclists, such as the rehabilitated former railway line in Ducey. But our guesthouse can also be a stopover for a longer journey, either locally or further afield. Here are some of the most popular routes passing through our department:
THE VÉLOSCÉNIE
With its 450km of marked route, the Véloscénie connects two iconic landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and Mont Saint-Michel! Along the way, you'll also find key monuments in French history, five of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites...
From Barenton, you enter our department of Manche, the last one crossed by the cycle route. Five stages of the Véloscénie are located in Manche, the last being the "Ducey<>Mont Saint-Michel" stage. You can then stay in our guesthouse for a well-deserved rest, giving you all the time you need to explore the region!
THE VÉLOMARITIME
The Vélomaritime is a 1500km route from the English Channel to the North Sea, passing by Mont-Saint-Michel, the D-Day landing beaches, and the cliffs of Étretat. It starts in Roscoff, Brittany, and the first stop is Mont-Saint-Michel, so you can stay in our guesthouse for this leg of your journey.
Note: The Vélomaritime is the French section of EuroVelo 4, a cycle route to Central Europe that allows you to continue your trip even further if you wish!
VÉLOWESTNORMANDY
Shorter than the Vélomaritime (185km), the VéloWestNormandy starts in Bayeux and also offers you the opportunity to visit iconic Norman sites such as the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Souleuvre Viaduct, and finally the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, where you can stop at our guesthouse before continuing your journey.
LA RÉGALANTE
This new cycle route, inaugurated in 2024, connects Mont Saint-Michel to Nantes by bike over 275km. The Wonder of the West can therefore also be the end point of your tour, where you can relax and enjoy a few days. La Régalante passes through small and large medieval fortresses, rivers, forests, and charming villages, perfect for discovering Northwest France and its history. Finally, this route is ideal for embarking on your first leisurely cycling trip, as it includes beautiful sections on greenways and has minimal elevation gain.
NORMAND'EPIK VTT
With its 485 km of trails and 7,600 m of elevation gain, this route is reserved for the most athletic! A sporting adventure in the heart of Normandy, which can easily be extended towards the bay of Mont Saint-Michel by joining the Vélomaritime or the Vélo West Normandy.
What if we prefer hiking?
You're in for a treat! No fewer than three long-distance hiking trails crisscross the region:
GR223
The GR223, or "Sentier des Douaniers" (Customs Officers' Path), offers beautiful walks along the coastline. Whether you're an experienced hiker or simply enjoy a stroll, this trail will captivate you with its diverse and beautiful landscapes. This GR22 connects Carentan to Mont Saint-Michel, but it's divided into 23 stages, so you can choose one or more for a day trip (each stage takes between 4 and 6 hours to hike).
GR22
If you'd rather explore the Normandy countryside and forests, opt for the GR22: follow in the footsteps of the thousands of pilgrims (known as "miquelots") who have walked this legendary route from the forecourt of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to the famous Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. This will allow you to discover the history of France by passing through numerous villages and heritage sites.
This is without even mentioning the countless hiking trails and marked paths that the region has to offer, whether along the coast or further inland. A small section of the GR34 long-distance footpath also passes through the English Channel and past Mont Saint-Michel, as well as in Brittany in the Bay of Saint-Malo, not far from our guesthouse!