History comes to life here, and you will too. Let a deep appreciation for life wash over you as you ride past white-sand beaches and memorial markers, then let the spirit of the people buoy you as you sip Calvados with local nobility. Dive deep into the rich tapestry of World War II history as you explore the hallowed landing beaches of Normandy with an expert by your side. After a stay at the one-of-a-kind Villa Lara, you'll find yourself awing over a backstage tour of Mont Saint-Michel, and fawning over our gourmet finish.

Historic battles, enduring beauty

Visit the Renaissance castle of Fontaine-Henry then ide through the Valley of Mills to Juno Beach. Later, we'll sip cocktails in Bayeux with our WWII expert before dinner.

Our ride brings us to Omaha Beach to walk with a WWII historian who will share the past from a soldier's point of view. This evening we'll dine at one of our favourite locales.

Our journey today shares more D-Day history before we hop off our bikes for a Calvados tasting. Later, jump back a millennium to admire the Bayeux Tapestry. 

Visit magical Mont Saint-Michel, a dream-like island monastery poised on a bay, for a behind-the-scenes visit. Thoroughly enchanted, we'll make our way to Brittany on two wheels.

Take a boat across to St-Malo for a tour of the legendary Corsairs then ride to the seaside village of Cancale (famous for oysters). Tonight, we'll raise a glass and celebrate our journey in Breton style.

Enjoy a final breakfast before we depart for the train station. Farewell, until next time!

This five-star boutique hotel lies along the Azure River in a quiet corner of Bayeux, with majestic views of the town's 11th c.&nbsp;cathedral. Classic French style permeates the cozy rooms with contemporary comforts sure to make guests feel immediately at home. Its proximity to many World War II sites makes Villa Lara the perfect base for history enthusiasts wishing to explore the area and welcomes you home with warm hospitality&nbsp;at day’s end.

Hotel Villa Lara

Originally a 19th c.&nbsp;villa, then a marine research station, this stunning property has been impeccably restored to merge beauty with its rich history, as well as a deep respect for the environment. A true "Soul Haven," this five-star boutique hotel with a chic contemporary aesthetic offers incomparable sea views over the Emerald Coast,&nbsp;a pool, Michelin-starred dining and the warmest welcomes.&nbsp;

Castelbrac Hotel

The Normandy Barrière of Deauville features imitable Anglo-Norman architecture and comfortable, spacious rooms with stylish, traditional decoration, a view to the famous beachfront, as well as direct access to the Casino Barrière de Deauville. Located an hour from the D-Day landing beaches, this property perfectly weaves together luxury, excitement and vivid history.

Hotel Barriere Le Normandy Deauville

After breakfast this morning, we will drop you off at the Rennes train station in time for the 9:35 AM direct train to Paris' Gare Montparnasse. 

While most of the riding is relatively easy, expect to contend with the occasional challenging climb. On a couple of days, the ride is longer than the average 40 km (25 mi.), although the terrain on these days is fairly flat.

We'll rendezvous in the lobby of the Grand Hotel Cabourg at 8:30 AM and take a short drive to visit the castle of Fontaine Henry before continuing on to the lush Norman countryside to begin our first ride. Please be dressed to bike and bring with you anything you might need for the day (camera, wind breaker/raincoat, etc.). If there are any changes to the rendezvous details, your guides will leave a message at your hotel. Please ensure we have all your pre-trip contact information.

Our e-bikes are regular pedal bikes that provide electric assistance whenever you want it. Each bike is programmed for a specific maximum speed that can be optimized while riding. Our fleet boasts sporty, road-focused bikes with skinny tires, a low-step frame and a very efficient e-system. The bike is incredibly lightweight (for an e-bike), and its clever design makes it extremely comfortable to ride.  

Our road bikes are custom designed and meticulously crafted to strike the perfect balance between comfort and performance. The result of extensive planning and innovative design, each bike is equipped with a lightweight, high-end carbon frame, cockpit, and seatpost, ensuring an unparalleled riding experience. 
 
Tailored for our travellers, the bike's geometry is carefully calibrated to provide enduring comfort throughout your ride. Elevating the cycling experience, our bikes are fitted with the industry-leading SRAM electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes, offering precision and control that set our road bikes apart as some of the finest in the market. 

Built specifically for the B&R traveller, this bike performs like a road bike, but offers the comfort and stability of a hybrid—it features the Shimano Ultegra R8000 group set and TRP disc brakes and offers a more relaxed geometry and flat handlebars. The adjustable stem allows the handlebars to be raised and lowered for the perfect fit, and the ergonomic grips keeps hands comfortable over a long day of riding. 

An e-road bike marries cutting-edge innovation with classic cycling performance. Tailored for cyclists who want a more aerodynamic position, this electric-powered, pedal-assisted bike seamlessly conquers diverse terrains, ensuring a thrilling and smooth ride every time. An e-road bike gives you a boost while maintaining the form and function of a top tier drop handlebar bike. You’ll be able to ride farther and faster while remaining comfortable every day of the trip.  Available in select regions. Make and model may vary. Quality will not.  *Please note that e-road bike upgrades are an additional $400 USD per bike. 

Your deposit is fully refundable up to 7 days after you book, when you book 7 days or more before your final payment due date.

Cancellation Terms:
270+ days prior to departure: cancellations do not incur a penalty.
269-96 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of $500 per person or 100% kept on file as a credit**.
95-61 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 25% of the trip's value.
60-31 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 50% of the trip's value.
30-0 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 100% of the trip's value.

**This credit is valid for 3 years. Travel must be completed within 3 years of the date of issue. 

B&R’s Scheduled Group trips may run at any group size** provided that, prior to full payment being required, affected travellers will be alerted if their Scheduled Group trip has fewer than 5 travellers. For trips of 4 traveller or less, travellers may guarantee their trip with a US$1,000 per person supplement OR choose a US$500 per person credit to move to a different trip within the same calendar year.

** Some regions may have varying group size minimums. Effected travellers will be alerted of these at time of booking.

Deposit Amount: $1000 per person				
Final Payment Date: 95 Days before departure

Cancellation Terms:
Your deposit is fully refundable up to 7 days after you book, when you book 7 days or more
before your final payment due date.

+181 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a penalty of $1,500 per person
180-121 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 25% of the full trip cost
120-91 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 50% of the full trip cost
90-61 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 75% of the full trip cost
60-0 days prior to departure: cancellations incur a fee of 100% of the full trip cost

Deposit Amount: $2000 per person; $1,500 non-refundable
Final Payment Due Date: 180 days before departure

We'll rendezvous in the lobby of the Le Normandy Barriere in Deauville at 8:30 AM and take a short drive to visit the castle of Fontaine Henry before continuing on to the lush Norman countryside to begin our first ride. Please be dressed to bike and bring with you anything you might need for the day (camera, wind breaker/raincoat, etc.). If there are any changes to the rendezvous details, your guides will leave a message at your hotel. Please ensure we have all your pre-trip contact information.

We'll rendezvous in the lobby of Le Normandy Barrière in Deauville at 8:30 AM and take a short drive to visit the castle of Fontaine Henry before continuing on to the lush Norman countryside to begin our first ride. Please be dressed to bike and bring with you anything you might need for the day (camera, wind breaker/raincoat, etc.). If there are any changes to the rendezvous details, your guides will leave a message at your hotel. Please ensure we have all your pre-trip contact information.

History comes to life here - and you will too. Let a deep appreciation for life wash over you as you ride past white sand beaches and memorial markers, then let the spirit of the people buoy you as you sip Calvados with local nobility. After a stay at the one-of-a-kind Villa Lara, you'll find yourself awing over a backstage tour of Mont Saint-Michel, and fawning over our gourmet finish.

Discover Europe

Our very first trip traversed Europe more than 50 years ago, and we’ve been exploring, befriending, indulging (and occasionally, imbibing) our way across it ever since.&nbsp;Today we’ve got the Continent covered: feel the warm breeze brushing off the Adriatic Sea, take in the cool air (and cooler culinary scene) of the Nordic north, explore a land of Viking legend in Iceland or get whisked away to a real life fairy tale in Bohemia.

Timeless landscapes and rich histories

La France Profonde

France isn’t a destination to us, it’s our second home, and we certainly love showing it off! We ensure that you experience France as the French do: decadently, poetically, and fashionably before anyone else. Come along as we crack open France’s coolest, most charming, and sometimes even clandestine cellars (for private tast-ings), kitchens (for private meals), and ancient castles (for a divine, windswept night or two). Ooh la la.

Discover France

France | Butterfield & Robinson

Having lived in both mainland France and Italy’s Piemonte region before moving to Corsica, Trip Planner and veteran B&R Guide Marya Valli believes the best way to get in deep and up close in a region is to pick up and move there. The second best way? A B&R trip, of course.

Seattle-born and Corsican-settled, Marya explored Europe high and low (much like her namesake wind) before settling down to craft poetic, resonant trips to let travellers in on the fun. Full-senses fun like sand-sailing Norman beaches, yodelling to Swiss cows, tasting sumptuous Nebbiolos with their humbly brilliant makers or following your nose through the maquis gathering wild herbs for a picnic beside the Med. Dive in!

Europe-Bound from Birth

Trip Designer

ED Bio's

Notes from the road

Testimonials

— Keith S; North Carolina, US

Marya's suggestions, guidance and overall plan could not have been better. She was incredibly responsive and thoughtful. We ended up in towns off-the-beaten-path that we never would have found without her guidance. 

Small Group

Normandy & Brittany Biking

6 Days, 5 Nights

16

$6,495 ^USD

Carbon Neutral Trip

Day by Day

Rendezvous

Farewell

Day 1

Visit the Renaissance castle of Fontaine-Henry then ide through the Valley of Mills to Juno Beach. Later, we'll sip cocktails in Bayeux with our WWII expert before dinner.

Day 2

Our ride brings us to Omaha Beach to walk with a WWII historian who will share the past from a soldier's point of view. This evening we'll dine at one of our favourite locales.

Day 3

Our journey today shares more D-Day history before we hop off our bikes for a Calvados tasting. Later, jump back a millennium to admire the Bayeux Tapestry.

Day 4

Visit magical Mont Saint-Michel, a dream-like island monastery poised on a bay, for a behind-the-scenes visit. Thoroughly enchanted, we'll make our way to Brittany on two wheels.

Day 5

Take a boat across to St-Malo for a tour of the legendary Corsairs then ride to the seaside village of Cancale (famous for oysters). Tonight, we'll raise a glass and celebrate our journey in Breton style.

Day 6

Enjoy a final breakfast before we depart for the train station. Farewell, until next time!

Dates & availability

These dates aren't live yet, but we'd love to contact you when they are!

Can't find your dates?

Get in touch to craft a Bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to privatize.

Featured stays

Hotel Villa Lara

Castelbrac Hotel

Hotel Barriere Le Normandy Deauville

What's included

Testimonials

Discover further

Similar trips you may like:

Related journal posts:

6 Days, 5 Nights | Price per person from $6,495 ^USD

Small Group

Normandy & Brittany Biking

6 Days, 5 Nights

16

$6,495 USD

Carbon Neutral Trip

Day by Day

Rendezvous

Farewell

Day 1

Visit the Renaissance castle of Fontaine-Henry then ide through the Valley of Mills to Juno Beach. Later, we'll sip cocktails in Bayeux with our WWII expert before dinner.

Day 2

Our ride brings us to Omaha Beach to walk with a WWII historian who will share the past from a soldier's point of view. This evening we'll dine at one of our favourite locales.

Day 3

Our journey today shares more D-Day history before we hop off our bikes for a Calvados tasting. Later, jump back a millennium to admire the Bayeux Tapestry.

Day 4

Visit magical Mont Saint-Michel, a dream-like island monastery poised on a bay, for a behind-the-scenes visit. Thoroughly enchanted, we'll make our way to Brittany on two wheels.

Day 5

Take a boat across to St-Malo for a tour of the legendary Corsairs then ride to the seaside village of Cancale (famous for oysters). Tonight, we'll raise a glass and celebrate our journey in Breton style.

Day 6

Enjoy a final breakfast before we depart for the train station. Farewell, until next time!

Dates & availability

These dates aren't live yet, but we'd love to contact you when they are!

Can't find your dates?

Get in touch to craft a Bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to privatize.

Featured stays

Hotel Villa Lara

Castelbrac Hotel

Hotel Barriere Le Normandy Deauville

What's included

Testimonials

Discover further

Similar trips you may like:

Related journal posts:

6 Days, 5 Nights | Price per person from $6,495 USD

$6,495 ^USD

6 Days, 5 Nights | Price per person from $6,495 ^USD