Normandy in June
Discussion
Hi all,
Setting off with 3 mates in June over to Normandy in France.
With none of us having done any riding on the continent before just after any general hints and tips, plus any suggested *must* see things in Normandy region. We are likely staying in Beny-sur-Mer and have Mont Saint Michel and the D-Day landing sites etc on the list already.
We are getting Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry, all competent riders and two of us have done the NC500 and Iron Butt lap of Ireland together. So while I am fine with doing big distances in a day that's not necessarily the aim of the trip.
So anyone with knowledge of the area please chip in!!
Cheers
Alan
Setting off with 3 mates in June over to Normandy in France.
With none of us having done any riding on the continent before just after any general hints and tips, plus any suggested *must* see things in Normandy region. We are likely staying in Beny-sur-Mer and have Mont Saint Michel and the D-Day landing sites etc on the list already.
We are getting Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry, all competent riders and two of us have done the NC500 and Iron Butt lap of Ireland together. So while I am fine with doing big distances in a day that's not necessarily the aim of the trip.
So anyone with knowledge of the area please chip in!!
Cheers
Alan
It's rather built up, I have spent many happy times here, but would describe it as a 'tourist destination' rather than a 'motorbike riding destination' if that makes sense. Lots to see particularly if you are a WW2 buff. My tip would be decide what you want to see and plan the trip around it. If you've not been biking in France before just be aware of their approach to speeding.. particularly The Gendarmerie, there are lots if cameras both static and mobile and they are not adverse to hiding in a hedgerow. They will march you to a cash point and relieve you of several hundred euros in a heartbeat. My tip would be planning is the key to enjoying this area. Enjoy
As has been said, Normandy is not really a great riding destination though it has loads of very interesting places to visit if you are in any way interested in WWII history.
The French are, in general, very bike friendly. On the road, many drivers will actively move over to allow bikes to make progress. Likewise, hotels will often make special arrangements to ensure that bikes are stowed safely. Below is the parking provided by the hotel we stayed in on our trip to the Alps in September.
You may (or may not! ) find the details on our website of interest: http://www.old-gits.org/hints&.htm.
I hope you all have a great trip and I look forward to the trip report on here next year!
The French are, in general, very bike friendly. On the road, many drivers will actively move over to allow bikes to make progress. Likewise, hotels will often make special arrangements to ensure that bikes are stowed safely. Below is the parking provided by the hotel we stayed in on our trip to the Alps in September.
You may (or may not!
) find the details on our website of interest: http://www.old-gits.org/hints&.htm.I hope you all have a great trip and I look forward to the trip report on here next year!
I spend a lot of time in Normandy and whilst I agree it's not knee down/hairpin territory, it's properly nice on a bike, especially in the summer.
Heading due South from Cherbourg along the Atlantic coast is great, open roads, hidden seafood stops and little traffic all the way to MSM. Going East runs you into all the WW2 stuff and plenty of decent towns to check out.
I'm off with a mate also in June to do a bit more of the coast and history, maybe use Bayeux as a base and work out from there.
Agree about the speeding although my experiences with the 2-wheeled Gendarme has been nothing but friendly, equally I don't ride like a knob
Heading due South from Cherbourg along the Atlantic coast is great, open roads, hidden seafood stops and little traffic all the way to MSM. Going East runs you into all the WW2 stuff and plenty of decent towns to check out.
I'm off with a mate also in June to do a bit more of the coast and history, maybe use Bayeux as a base and work out from there.
Agree about the speeding although my experiences with the 2-wheeled Gendarme has been nothing but friendly, equally I don't ride like a knob
My family moved to Normandy around 30 years ago nr. Bayeux and 20 mins from Omaha beach.
Roads are good and empty except for tractors!
Flat and touristy.
Very rural and lots of WW2 evidence around.
Mont St Michel is on the edge of Normandy travel down to Rennes and check out the fabulous
https://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home
Lots of bikes out in the summer, mainly street fighters.
My brother and I blat around on his Africa Twin rdo7 and a VTR 1000.
Roads are good and empty except for tractors!
Flat and touristy.
Very rural and lots of WW2 evidence around.
Mont St Michel is on the edge of Normandy travel down to Rennes and check out the fabulous
https://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home
Lots of bikes out in the summer, mainly street fighters.
My brother and I blat around on his Africa Twin rdo7 and a VTR 1000.
Edited by Simes205 on Tuesday 9th November 23:02
I have riden many times in Normandy. Mostly with the British Legion Riders.
As an Advanced rider I am very concious of road safety and one thing that will catch you out is the French rule of "Priorite a droite" which basically means "give way to the right".
On main roads at junctions you will ususally see a diamond shaped sign which indicates that you have priority.
In towns if these signs are not posted then traffic joining the 'main' road has priority over you!! Beware 'white van man' hurtling out of a side road right in front of you..... he IS in the right.
If you want a great, bike friendly, place to stay google 'La Tringale'. It's a gite run by an English couple who can also provide lovely home cooked meals. It has safe bike parking and very likely that Andy (the owner) will dig hos bike out and show you some of the great local roads.
Enjoy it!!
As an Advanced rider I am very concious of road safety and one thing that will catch you out is the French rule of "Priorite a droite" which basically means "give way to the right".
On main roads at junctions you will ususally see a diamond shaped sign which indicates that you have priority.
In towns if these signs are not posted then traffic joining the 'main' road has priority over you!! Beware 'white van man' hurtling out of a side road right in front of you..... he IS in the right.
If you want a great, bike friendly, place to stay google 'La Tringale'. It's a gite run by an English couple who can also provide lovely home cooked meals. It has safe bike parking and very likely that Andy (the owner) will dig hos bike out and show you some of the great local roads.
Enjoy it!!
tivver500 said:
I have riden many times in Normandy. Mostly with the British Legion Riders.
As an Advanced rider I am very concious of road safety and one thing that will catch you out is the French rule of "Priorite a droite" which basically means "give way to the right".
On main roads at junctions you will ususally see a diamond shaped sign which indicates that you have priority.
In towns if these signs are not posted then traffic joining the 'main' road has priority over you!! Beware 'white van man' hurtling out of a side road right in front of you..... he IS in the right.
If you want a great, bike friendly, place to stay google 'La Tringale'. It's a gite run by an English couple who can also provide lovely home cooked meals. It has safe bike parking and very likely that Andy (the owner) will dig hos bike out and show you some of the great local roads.
Enjoy it!!
Whilst I’ve driven all over Europe in the car, I’ve never taken the bike, although it’s definitely on the short term agenda. As an Advanced rider I am very concious of road safety and one thing that will catch you out is the French rule of "Priorite a droite" which basically means "give way to the right".
On main roads at junctions you will ususally see a diamond shaped sign which indicates that you have priority.
In towns if these signs are not posted then traffic joining the 'main' road has priority over you!! Beware 'white van man' hurtling out of a side road right in front of you..... he IS in the right.
If you want a great, bike friendly, place to stay google 'La Tringale'. It's a gite run by an English couple who can also provide lovely home cooked meals. It has safe bike parking and very likely that Andy (the owner) will dig hos bike out and show you some of the great local roads.
Enjoy it!!
I didn’t realise for all the trines that I’ve been in France that the dreaded ‘Priorite a Droite’ still existed.
Krikkit said:
Rob 131 Sport said:
I didn’t realise for all the trines that I’ve been in France that the dreaded ‘Priorite a Droite’ still existed.
Pretty rare unless you get right into the centre of towns/cities I think, usually takes me a while to get used to it.Quite a few still on rural roads, warning triangle with black cross.
In order to clear this up, there are several signs around the PaD subject in France.
On a main road, you see a yellow diamond sign, this means that you have on the main carriageway the right of way, side roads must give way, sometimes it will say for the next 15 kms or so.
Entering usually a town or village, the same yellow diamond but with a black diagonal line top right to bottom left through it means that now PaD is in force and vehicles can and will emerge from your right. ( Often can have another sign adjacent warning that PaD is in force throughout the village )
Again back on larger roads, red triangular sign with a thick black line and thinner ones to the sides, this means that you have priority on the main road and that the side roads of the junction you're approaching must give way.
Similar red triangle but this time showing a black X in it, you're approaching a junction and PaD is in force so beware.
On a main road, you see a yellow diamond sign, this means that you have on the main carriageway the right of way, side roads must give way, sometimes it will say for the next 15 kms or so.
Entering usually a town or village, the same yellow diamond but with a black diagonal line top right to bottom left through it means that now PaD is in force and vehicles can and will emerge from your right. ( Often can have another sign adjacent warning that PaD is in force throughout the village )
Again back on larger roads, red triangular sign with a thick black line and thinner ones to the sides, this means that you have priority on the main road and that the side roads of the junction you're approaching must give way.
Similar red triangle but this time showing a black X in it, you're approaching a junction and PaD is in force so beware.
Riding in France is just great. I'm sure you'll all love it. You know you need high viz and breathaliser with you at all times right? Also, if it rains stay away from any road markings (white lines, chevrons, wording etc that's painted on the surface) as the French do not use non-slip paint!!! Can catch you out even just when pulling out from a junction (across the hatched lines).
Gixer968CS said:
Riding in France is just great. I'm sure you'll all love it. You know you need high viz and breathaliser with you at all times right? Also, if it rains stay away from any road markings (white lines, chevrons, wording etc that's painted on the surface) as the French do not use non-slip paint!!! Can catch you out even just when pulling out from a junction (across the hatched lines).
You are required to have a breathaliser but there is no penalty for not having one!!! 
Only in France! 
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