Normandy Ride

Arrive at Chateau de Bellefontaine in Bayeux. Meet your guide and the group at 7pm for a briefing and dinner.

AM – Ride about two hours from the hilly landscape of Normandy to the medieval city of Creully, where the BBC was based to spread the news of the battle of 1944. Visit XIII century St Martin church before lunch.
PM – Ride another two hours through the countryside back to the XVIII century city of Bayeux. Dinner and overnight at Bellefontaine.

AM – This morning visit the Bayeux cathedral, home of the Bayeux tapestry. Listed as a “Memory of the World” by UNESCO, this nearly 230 ft long embroidered cloth tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman conquest of English culminating in the Battle of Hastings.
PM – In the afternoon ride for two hours to a beautiful panoramic view of the Arromanches and the famous Mulberry port. There’s the chance of a canter on the beach. Tonight you’ll have dinner and stay at the hotel La Marine, with wonderful views of the sea.

AM – This morning’s ride will be about 2.5 hrs, on the cliffs above the beach and through the countryside. You’ll have a view of the remains from the famous WWII battle which took place on June 6, 1944 before lunch in Port en Bessin.
PM – Ride another two hours on the cliffs above Omaha Beach, and ride along a section of the 5 mile beach to find a good area for a canter. Spend part of the afternoon visiting the American military cemetery or Overlord museum. After riding, transfer by vehicle to the Chateau de la Roque near Saint Lo for dinner and overnight.

AM – Ride for approximately 2 hours along the river La Vire to Haras de Saint Lo, the heart of the famous Selle Francais breed. Visit the buildings of the National Stud Farm, much the same as it was in 1806 when Napoleon ordered its construction.
PM – After lunch, ride another 2 hours along the river to Herbecrevon. From here transfer by car to Manoir du Brion in Mont Saint Michel Bay. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before overnight at the manoir.

Ride today in the Saint Michel Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site. Some of the biggest tides in Europe occur in this bay, leaving a large part uncovered at low tide. Many birds and harbor seals live in this area, and it is used as a training ground for Thoroughbred and French Trotter racers. Ride for about 4 hours today, with lunch in a local creperie. Tonight is spent again at the Manoir de Brion.

Breakfast and departure. You may visit Mont Saint Michel on your own or transfer to Avranches or TGV Rennes station (transfer not included).