This cycling holiday was chosen as the main summer tour at the planning meeting in January. David planned and organised the holiday that was based at Hotel Spa du Beryl in Bagnoles de l'Orne that combined day rides with sightseeing in some of the historic and interesting towns in this area of Normandy. The elegant spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne became particularly popular in the late 19th century, a period in French history known as the Belle Epoque. Some grand period buildings still occupy prime positions.
The hotel had a swimming pool and spa to relax after each day's ride and secure storage for the bikes. There were rides each day, some direct from the hotel and some started further away by driving with the bikes to the start. To make transport arrangements simple there were two choices of route each day, one longer and one shorter, with all routes starting and finishing in the same place and meeting up at the town for lunch and sightseeing.
There were 14 participants for this trip,travelling in five cars -David with Sue and Vanessa, Rod with Carol and SueP, Michael with Ray, John with Helena and Graham and Mark with Brian and Gary.
Monday 10th June
Three of the cars travelled overnight on Sunday 9th June on the Brittany Ferries ferry from Portsmouth and arrived in Ouistreham early on the Monday morning. They drove to Caen, meeting up at about 0830 hrs to for a short walking tour of the city, taking in William the Conqueror’s Abbey, the fortress and the city centre. We had refreshments while in the city before travelling to the hotel in Bagnoles.
As the rooms were not ready when we arrived, so we went to get a snack in the town before booking in. We then set off on a 22 mile cycle ride from the hotel, looping around to Lignieres Orgeres on La Veloscenie - Bagnoles Bagnoles loop.
The other two cars arrived in the late afternoon. We all had dinner together in the hotel after some had availed themselves of the spa facilities of a swim and sauna.
Hotel Spa du Beryl, Bagnoles de l'Orne
Tuesday 11th June - Domfront
The first full day with the whole group, so a ride starting at 10.00am from the hotel car park and riding to Domfront and back. Both routes start at the hotel and go to Domfront with both returning by the same route - Bagnoles Domfront short route and Bagnoles Domfront long route. Vanessa, Gary, Graham, Mark and David chose the more challenging route whilst the others opted for the shorter route. All met up in Domfront where we had lunch before the 12 mile return to the hotel.
Perched on a hill above Varenne valley is the fortified medieval town of Domfront, founded in the 11th century. It has preserved many reminders of its rich past, making it a delightful place for a stroll: charming squares and narrow streets, a 12th-century Romanesque keep, remains of the old feudal castle, rampart towers, and picturesque half-timbered houses, mansions and interior courtyards.
We then availed ourselves of the spa again before another dinner in the hotel.
Chateau de Couterne
Wednesday 12th June - Alencon
All will met in hotel car park at 09.30am and then drove to the start of the ride at Le Grande Avenue, Saint Denis sur Sarthon. The shorter route turns off La Veloscenie near Roupperoux and then heads direct to Alencon whilst the longer Domfront route extends further north to Carrouges before turning towards Alencon with section back from Alencon common to both routes. Vanessa, Gary, Graham, Mark and David again opted for the longer route. Both groups met up in Alencon for an organised walk around the town before finishing the ride.
Alençon owes much of its renown to influential women, and it is thanks in good part to its dukes and to their wealthy wives, that grand buildings went up in Alençon in the late 15th century, from the austere castle to elaborate churches. It has long been renowned for its lace-making traditions, which date back to the 17th century
In the evening whilst the others dined at Le O Gayot near the hotel, John, Helena, Graham, David and Sue dined at a Michelin starred restaurant, Manoir du Lys, just out of town.
Hotel de Ville, Alencon
Thursday 14th June - Mayenne
We all met in hotel car park in the morning and drove to the start of the ride at Lassay les Chateau. The Bagnoles Mayenne route followed Voie Verte for about 60% of the ride to Mayenne for lunch and back.
At the edge of Normandy, the town of Mayenne has an imposing castle as a reminder of its past as a stronghold and ducal town. It has towered above the Mayenne river for over a thousand years. In turn a Carolingian palace, castle fort and prison, Mayenne castle now houses a museum
Friday 15th June
On Friday we had to get back to Ouistreham for the ferry but there was time for a quick ride which John and Helena and Gary did. They managed it all in the dry while others explored Bagnoles.
We caught the 4.30 ferry back to Portsmouth some shopping on the way to the port.