If you’re a biker looking for your next ride that actually feels like riding (and not sitting in traffic behind a Citroën doing 40 in a 90), welcome to Normandy. This region was practically designed by a motorcyclist with a sense of humour: smooth tarmac, sweeping bends, ridiculous scenery, quiet countryside, and coastlines that look like they were lifted from a cinematic drone reel.
From our gîte in Nicorps — perfectly placed between coast, countryside, and the historic heart of La Manche — you can pick a direction at random and end up on a brilliant route. Whether you want fast open stretches (not too fast of course 😉), tight countryside sweepers, forest roads, cliff edges, WW2 landmarks, abbeys, or just a long lazy loop with a burger at the end, you’ll find it here. And yes… the roads really are a dream.
🏍️ Your Perfect Biker Base in Normandy
You need a comfy HQ for all this two-wheeled exploring, and that’s where our gîte steps in. What you get as a motorcycle guest:
- Secure motorcycle parking – gated driveway, private, and safe
- Hose/water access for cleaning your bike – available on request, free
- Covered storage for equipment – helmets, panniers, jackets, gloves (the barn is not for storing bikes themselves)
- Countryside location – no traffic, instant access to smooth scenic roads
- A kitchen stocked with coffee and local treats, llamas watching you leave in the morning, and Roger the cockerel providing the daily alarm service (no extra charge)
If you’re touring, base-camping, or planning multiple ride-outs over a week, this part of La Manche is exactly where you want to be.
🌊 Ride #1 – The Coast Road Loop: Agon-Coutainville → Montmartin → Hauteville
Start from the gîte, ride through Coutances, then drop down towards Agon-Coutainville. You get:
- Flat coastal straights perfect for relaxed scenic riding
- Long open views across the dunes and oyster beds
- Brilliant stopping spots for coffee or seafood
- Agon-Coutainville’s seafront — wide, smooth and made for bikes
Continue through Montmartin-sur-Mer, roll onward to Hauteville-sur-Mer, and enjoy the classic Normandy combination of fresh sea air and well-maintained tarmac. Perfect warm-up loop or sunset ride.
🌳 Ride #2 – The Inland Sweepers: Nicorps → Gratot → Savigny → Hambye → Gavray
This one is for riders who love countryside curves, farm valleys, woodland sections and that magical Normandy light over rolling fields.
Head east from Nicorps toward Gratot (you can stop at the château if you fancy a photo break), then continue through the scenic lanes toward Savigny and Hambye. The Hambye forest section feels almost cinematic — especially early morning when the mist hugs the trees.
Drop down into Gavray and loop back via Villedieu or Montaigu-les-Bois, depending on how long you want the ride to be. Traffic? Almost none. Views? Beautiful. Road conditions? Surprisingly excellent for rural France.
✨ Ride #3 – Mont Robin Loop (Montabot → Hambye → Gavray → Mont Robin)
This is a real rider’s ride:
Montabot – Hambye – Gavray – Val Poree – Mont Robin Route
- Great elevation changes
- An excellent blend of forest and open countryside
- Well-marked, predictable curves
- Perfect for mid-morning or late-afternoon light
Mont Robin itself is a favourite viewpoint — you can see practically half of La Manche on a clear day.
🌅 Ride #4 – Montabot → Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal (The Long Coastal Way)
This Wikiloc gem beautifully links the inland hills to the seaside:
Montabot → St Martin de Bréhal Route
You’ll weave through rural hamlets, cross farmland straights, then suddenly hit the coast with that bright Normandy sea opening out in front of you. Grab a drink or ice cream at Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal — plenty of room for parking a bike, and a great atmosphere in summer.
⚔️ Ride #5 – Normandy WW2 Beaches Tour (Full-Day Route)
This is an epic one — a proper touring day. Using the Wikiloc WW2 Beaches track:
Normandy WW2 Beaches Motorcycle Route
- Utah Beach
- Omaha Beach
- Pointe du Hoc
- Arromanches (Mulberry Harbour remains)
For extra context on the routes and landings, here’s the excellent map resource we now use site-wide:
You’ll see bunkers, memorials, viewpoints, cliffs, and quiet stretches of coastline where history feels incredibly close.
🌲 Ride #6 – Cerisy-la-Forêt Forest Roads + Pub17
The Cerisy forest is one of the best riding sections in lower Normandy — tall trees, cool air, sweeping forest curves and that “I’m in a movie” feeling.
Combine your ride with a stop at:
Pub17
17 Pl. du Marché, 50680 Cerisy-la-Forêt
“A proper Irish-style biker-friendly pub.” Perfect for lunch, a cold drink, or a break between loops.
Ride the forest, refuel at Pub17, repeat. That’s your afternoon sorted.
🍺 Biker-Friendly Bars & Stops We Recommend
🍺 Lady Bière – Coutances
Lady Bière is a cracking craft beer bar with live bands, regular events, and a friendly crowd. Easy parking, great vibe, and perfect for post-ride evenings.
🍻 Bar Le M.G. Bar – Le Mesnil-Garnier
7 Le Bourg, 50450 Le Mesnil-Garnier
Classic Normandy countryside bar. No fuss, no pretence — just good people and cold drinks.
🍻 Le Culture Pub – Coutances
8 Rue du Lycée, 50200 Coutances
Modern, lively, and biker-friendly. Great for a mid-ride stop in Coutances – park by the cathedral and stroll down to the pub.
🏍️ The Big One – Equip’Moto 50, Triumph Saint-Lô & Honda Saint-Lô / Agneaux
This is Normandy’s holy trinity of motorcycle culture. Three shops in one mega-hub:
- Equip’Moto 50 – gear, tyres, parts, accessories
- Triumph Saint-Lô – official dealer
- Honda Saint-Lô / Agneaux – official dealer
Think: test rides, open days, “Burger & Bikes” events, new model showcases, community meet-ups, charity rides, and a solid local biker crowd. These shops keep the La Manche riding scene buzzing all year.
🎅🏍️ Père Noël & Mère Noël Ride-Outs (Winter Biker Magic)
If you’re here in November/December, you might spot a surreal yet wonderful sight: dozens — sometimes hundreds — of bikers dressed as Père Noël (Santa) and Mère Noël riding together for charity.
These events happen across Normandy including:
- Coutances
- Saint-Lô
- Granville
- Avranches
- Cherbourg
It’s loud, joyful, goodwill-filled chaos and an absolute crowd-pleaser. You’ll find annual dates on:
https://calendrier-moto.fr/evenements/region/normandie
⭐ Featured Biker Event – La Balade des Motards pour Anaïs (Coutances)
This is the big one for our area — a charity motorcycle ride-out that brings together local riders, touring bikers, families and supporters. Starting from Coutances, it’s a hugely popular event with a strong community spirit.
More info via Ouest-France:
La Balade des Motards pour Anaïs – Ouest-France
If you time your holiday right, this event alone is worth the trip.
🌄 Final Thoughts – Why Normandy Is a Biker’s Playground
Normandy isn’t subtle about how good it is for bikers. You get coast, countryside, huge skies, dramatic WWII history, forests, villages, and sweeping roads that feel like they were drawn by someone who loved cornering.
The riding community is active, friendly, and open. The roads are smooth. The scenery changes every few minutes. And when you’re based at our gîte? You’re right in the middle of it all.
Bikes. Views. Freedom. Normandy has it nailed.
🌦️ Weather in Normandy
Check our 🌍 Travel Tips for Normandy blog category for full weather details — we have details of temperatures, rain chances, daylight hours and packing tips.