Loire Valley
Normandy | France / Paris
June 11 depart – June 18 return
Cycling Trip 2023
Cycling Trip to France
Dear Friends,
Just over seventy-six years ago on June 6, 1944, thousands of American soldiers and their Allied nation comrades crossed the English Channel to attempt an invasion against the near impregnable German enemy fortified coastline of Normandy France. It was a desperate plan by the nations’ leaders of the time to wrestle back any small measure of control of Western Europe from the grips of the evil Nazi empire. Those leaders also estimated that once the fatal invasion launch order was given, thousands of these young soldiers would never see home again – and sadly they were correct. On June 6th of 2019, the world recognized and celebrated in solemn reverence the 75 Year Anniversary of that special-yet-horrific day and to honor those soldiers whose bravery and self-sacrifice ultimately led to the German army defeat in the months following. After our trip in 2019 to scout out this trip, I promise that there is no greater feeling of spine-tingling pride that can bestow upon any American than standing silently in view Omaha Beach and the rows of white crosses marking the home of the brave who died that day. Those historic sites in Normandy remains my inspiration for this cycling adventure but you will discover as I did that the other sites we experience in the Loire Valley, Honfleur, Giverny, Paris - and the scenic countryside in between - will provide quite the bonus!
We will start our ambitious cycling journey due south in the Loire Valley to admire France’s historical castles, magnificent chateaux, historical towns, stunning landscapes in the “Valley of the Kings” and home to some of my favorite wines Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. And once we have completed our five day of cycling, we will end our fantastic journey with a celebratory dinner and two evenings in Paris, the City of Lights.
Electric-assisted bikes are also available for those who wish to enjoy this journey through the French countryside and Normandy sites at a more relaxed pace and effort.
Feel free to email me or call if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
John Profaci
LOIRE VALLEY/NORMANDY FRANCE | SCHEDULE
Overview of our 5 day cycling adventure
DAY 1
Loire Valley
Monday, June 12 arrive to Paris and bus transport to the “Valley of the Kings”
The Loire Valley has been coined “quintessential France” which still glows of former glory from the Renaissance France era - rich with history, intrigue and drama of kings, queens, mistresses, and knights in shining armor. The magnificent castles, walled fortresses, palaces and chateaux from centuries ago are still intact. And coincidently, it is the location where Leonardo De Vinci chose over Italy to spend the final years of his life.
Time:
8:30am-ish
Check into Loire Valley hotel
The group flight United Airlines leaving Newark Airport at 6:40pm Sunday May 21 will arrive into CDG Paris Airport by 8:00am Monday May 22. As soon as we get our luggage, our private bus will take us about 2.5 hours to Montecatini Palace Hotel www.montecatinipalace.com where will meet our guides Sebastian and Marcellos to set up bikes enjoy a light lunch and head out for a warm up ride 25-30 miles allowing time to enjoy the hotel or town before dinner. Those arriving separately or can easily travel from Florence to Montecatini by bus, train ride or taxi at your own expense.
Time:
12:30pm
Le Choiseul à Amboise
Arrive to hotel, check into our rooms and meet our cycling support guides who will set us up on our rental bikes. A cycling route has been planned for a 40 mile ride taking us past the notable chateaux including Ambois, Chaumont Sur Loire and Chenonceaux – but not before a light lunch and first taste of French wine.
Time:
12:30pm
Le Choiseul à Amboise
Lunch followed by a 2:30pm ride.
Time:
8:00pm
Dinner
Let’s plan to stroll medieval Amboise before our Welcome Dinner at the hotel
DAY 2
Central France region of Alencon
June 13, 2023
Today we start our scenic riding north through the beautiful central France countryside to ultimately reach the shores of Normandy. And away we go!
Time:
7:30am
Breakfast
Breakfast in our hotel, pack luggage and bring to lobby for pick-up.
Time:
8:00am
Depart
Cyclists depart north. Café stop at mile 40 in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir to regroup!
Time:
1:30pm- 3:00pm Lunch
Arrive
Le Sequoia Restaurant at Hotel Le Mans Country Club
Day 2 Part Two
Le Sequoia Restaurant to Alencon 33 miles/1182 elevation
Time:
5:00pm
Departure After Lunch
arrive to our hotels Ibis Alencon and Hotel Des Ducs (split groups)
Time:
8:00pm
Dinner
Chez Fano 22 Rue Saint Blaise 61000, Alencon
DAY 3
June 14: Day 3, Part 1 Alencon to Le Marronnier lunch 60 miles/3080 elevation
Normandy Coast town of Bayeux
Today we will continue our ride north and arrive into Normandy following a countryside lunch. Our hotels Domaine De Bayeux and Hotel Reine Mathilde are both located in Bayeux which is a quaint preserved town having the distinction of being the first town to be liberated on D-Day. Unlike most French towns in the region, Bayeux was spared bombing and destruction during the war and to this day the sentiment “Vive l’Amerique” still resonates with the residents of this town. Tour expert Rick Steves loves this town.
Time:
8:00am
Breakfast
Breakfast in our hotel, pack luggage and bring to lobby for pick-up.
Time:
8:30am
Cyclists Depart
Cyclists depart north to the city of Bayeux
Time:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Lunch
Lunch in the countryside at Le Marronnier
Chemin du Val de Maizet, 14210 Amayé-sur-Orne, France Phone: +33 2 31 80 53 55
Day 3 Part Two
Le Marronnier lunch to Bayeux 22 miles/1014 elevation
Time:
5:00pm
Arrive
arrive to hotels Domaine de Bayeux and Reine Mathilde (split groups)
Time:
8:00pm
Dinner
Le Pommier Restaurant à Bayeux
Le Pommier Restaurant à Bayeux 38-40 Rue des Cuisiniers, 14400 Bayeux, France
DAY 4
June 15: Day 4, Part 1 Bayeux to Pont Du Hoc 18 miles/611 elevation
D-Day sites with finish in Honfleur
This will be our Longest Day. We will start our day riding west to the historic beachhead called Pont du Hoc to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and observe the World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. It was erected by the French to honor the U.S. Army Rangers who scaled the 100-foot cliffs and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. At a high cost of life, they successfully defended against determined German counterattacks. Then we will continue to Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and finally through Arromanches-les-Bains, also known as Gold Beach which the British forces invaded relatively unopposed.
Time:
7:30am
Breakfast
Breakfast and luggage to lobby
Time:
8:00am
Depart
Depart for Pont Du Hoc and arrive by 9am to visit the welcome center to watch the short documentary before strolling through the site. We will allot 1 hour for the visit.
Day 4 Part Two
Pont Du Hoc to Omaha Beach and American Cemetery 10 m/292 elevation
Time:
10:30am
Omaha Beach Memorial
We then ride east 10 miles for a somber moment to observe the infamous Omaha Beach landing site and Omaha Beach Memorial. We will then continue to the American Cemetery and Memorial where we will get off our bikes for a 1 hour visit to peruse this informative museum. We will have access to our “day bags” to change into sandals/shoes and clothes for the visit.
Omaha Beach Memorial and American Cemetery
Time:
12:30pm
American Cemetery
Depart the American Cemetery for Arromanches-les-Bains
Time:
1:15pm
Arromanches-les-Bain
Arrive to Arromanches-les-Bain, named “Gold Beach” during the D-Day taken by the British, where an artificial port was installed to unload tanks and other heavy equipment.
Address: 5 Place du Six Juin 1944, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains, France Phone: +33 2 31 22 34 32
Time:
1:30pm
Hotel de Normandie
Day 4 Part Four
Arromanches to Honfleur 51 miles/2100 elevation
Time:
2:30pm
Depart Arromanches-les-Bain for the port of Honfleur
Honfleur is a cozy historical port town situated where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It’s been in use by merchants and sailors since the Roman era and spared destruction during both World Wars. Samuel de Champlain sailed from this port on his way to North America in 1608 when he discovered the St. Lawrence River and Impressionist painters Monet and Boudin have enjoyed time practicing their craft in Honfleur.
Honfleur
Time:
6:00pm
Dinner
Arrive to Honfleur and check-in to Les Maisons de Lea Hotel and Spa. The hotel is just steps from the historic port to allow us time to stroll before returning to the hotel for 8pm Dinner.
Les Maisons de Lea Hotel and Spa
DAY 5
June 16: Day 5 (final ride) Honfleur to Giverny 75 miles/2800 elevation
Final ride to Giverny and evening in Paris
Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy where Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. The artist’s former home and elaborate gardens, where he produced his famed water lily series, are now the Claude Monet museum.
Time:
7:30am
Breakfast
Breakfast and luggage to lobby
images from Monet’s gardens
Time:
8:00am
Depart Honfleur to the town of Giverny
Depart for Giverny with a café ‘rest stop’ in Le Neubourg at mile 40.
Time:
2:00pm
Arrive to Monet’s Garden museum,
Arrive to Monet’s Garden museum, give up our bikes, change into regular clothes and enjoy a relaxed final lunch at Restaurant Les Nympheas before heading to Paris.
Restaurant Les Nympheas 109 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France Phone: +33 6 45 47 26 35
Time:
4:00pm
Depart to Paris By Bus
After Lunch and stroll through Claude Monet’s scenic property, we will depart by bus to Paris
Time:
5:00pm
Arrive to Paris!
check into the luxury K+K Hotel Cayre located in the Saint-Germaine des Pres district (marked below by the “red X”) which is perfectly situated near Musee D’Orsay, Seine riverbank, Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame. Two night stay checking out Sunday June 19.
Saint Germaine des Pres district
K+K Hotel Cayre 4 Boulevard Raspail, 75007 Paris, +33 1 45 44 38 88
Time:
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Arrive to Paris!
Time to enjoy Paris on our own before meeting for early dinner.
Les Ombres Restaurant 27 Quai Branly · In the Musée du quai Branly · +33 1 47 53 68 00
DAY 6
Free day in Paris
Saturday June 17:
Sleep in and enjoy a relaxed breakfast! This day is unplanned and entirely on your own. Enjoy Paris!
DAY 7
Depart by bus to CDG Paris Airport
Sunday June 18
The group bus will depart the K+K Hotel at 6:00am for CDG Paris Airport. Anyone not planning to depart at that time must arrange their own shuttles to the airport and at their own expense.
Time:
6:00am
Depart from hotel to Airport
Private bus departs from hotel to CDG Paris airport. Bon Voyage!
Daily Mileage Summary: (GPS routes)
Total ride over the 5 Days: 392 miles / 15,643
Arrival Day: Monday, June 12:
Day 1: Chateaux Loop from Hotel Du Domaine, 40 miles /1460 elevation
Tuesday, June 13
Day 2, Part 1: Hotel Du Domaine to Le Sequoia lunch 70 miles / 2735 elevation Rest stop at café mile 40 in main piazza of La Chartre-sur-le-Loir
Wednesday, June 14
Day 3 / Part 1: Alencon to Le Marronnier lunch 59 miles / 3079 elevation
Thursday, June 15
Day 4, Part 1: Bayeux to Pont du Hoc Memorial 18 miles / 600 elevation
Thursday, June 15
Day 4, Part 2: Pont du Hoc to The American Cemetery 10 miles / 290 elevation
Thursday, June 15
Day 4, Part 3: American Cemetery to Hotel de Normandie in Arromanches lunch 13 miles/ 390 elevation
Friday, June 16
Day 5, Final Ride: Honfleur to Restaurant Les Nympheas in Giverny for lunch 75 miles / 2100 elevation, Rest stop at café at mile 40 in piazza in Le Neubourg
