Motorbike Tours

Normandy Tour June 2024

First visit to France for 2024. After the past positive experiences we have decided to focus again on France and in particular the northern part. There will be 4 trips this year of varying lengths culminating in a big 9 day tour from East to West visiting the West Coast to Britany. One long weekend trip I have decided to go alone, just me and my trusted Companion (see if you can guess who this is). I have always wanted to try a solo trip, just for the experience so this will be later in the summer.

The first tour into Normandy took place in June and unfortunately we were not blessed with glorious sunshine; to the contrary, on day 3 of the tour it rained persistently which was not a great experience however with good riding gear its tolerable. This first trip of 2024 was with the BMW Club Den Haag so a number of members also joined. Below is a brief description of the tour, the hotels and some general highlights.

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Day 1. Rotterdam to Bollezeele, France - 275 km

We set off from Rotterdam around 1000 from the MacDonalds, and headed west towards the Maasvlakte. We then turned south and headed south east across all the dikes into Belgium. Weather was showers but a lot of wind making it tricky on the dike crossings. A few showers further and eventually into northern France. Our first overnight stop was the Hostellerie Saint Louis in the town of Bollezeele. A great overnight stay with simple but nice rooms and an excellent evening menu. Like on all the France trips we chose to use the Logis website and where possible always select restaurants with the blue rating. This place certainly did not disappoint!

Whilst the website link shows the hotels own site all these hotels are avaialble on the Logis website for ease of booking

Day 2. Bollezeele to Sassetot. - 284 km.

Day 2 started bright although it had rained earlier in the morning quite heavily so roads were still wet. But with the temperature above 18 degrees it soon dried up. Wind was still there as we made our way towards the coast. Then heading south along the coast through the small villages until we came to our overnight stop in Sassetot. A refined small hotel call Relais des Dalles was our stop for the night however upon arrival we realised their restaurant was closed. So they booked us in the Chateau hotel opposite which was absolutely top. Again for our dinner menu´s all prices range between 38 and 45 Euros for a 3 course dinner.

Dinner was at the Chateau Sissi.

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Day 3. Sassetot to Gisors - 275 km

This morning weather was in our favour and the sun was out. We headed south across the Pont de Normandie and then west towards Rouen. The bright conditions meant we were able to push the route a bit and enjoy some good quality roads.

A point to note for those crossing the Pont de Normandie is that it is free to bikers, you just need to follow the signs, move off the the far right and use the special bike lane. Worth noting as it save having to faff around with gloves, credit cards etc.

Our over night stay was just outside the town of Gisors in a quirky 19th century folly chateau called Chateau de la Rapee. Very comfortable rooms and a good set dinner menu.

Day 4. Gisors to Bermicourt. 267 km.

Day 4 was a bit of a wash out. It started already with very heavy rain however upon leaving the hotel dried up within 10 mins. We then had 3 hours in dry conditions until at our first stop one of our fellow riders discovered that he had a flat. Luckily we were close to a car tyre centre and the team there kindly offered to plug the hole for free. Great bit of luck however after re-joining the route the rain came back. 2 of the tour team had decided not to ride the route but go straight to the next overnight stop.

I lost another companion along the way so for the last 150 km I rode this alone. Past the WW1 memorial sites such as Ulster and Thiepval which despite the terrible weather were still busy.

Our overnight stay is an old favourite of mine The Cour de Remi at Bermicourt. Great spacious rooms and a very good but reasonable menu. Great overnight stay and ready for day 5!

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Day 5. Bermicourt to Leissies 266km.

A dry start to Day 5. One of our group was heading back to Holland early so we were down to 2 bikes and three riders. Weather was nice but the route laborious. There were simply too many villages and the speed reduced substantially by the bumps, traffic lights and speed restrictions. It was not until right towards the end of the route did the roads open out and allow us to get our pegs down and really ride the route. The overnight stay was in the impressive Chateau de la Motte, very close to the Belgium border. Accommodation was superb but the cuisine a little less than we had been used to.

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Day 6. Leissies to Rotterdam. 245km.

Day 6 again weather was great. Route took us over the border into Belgium and then north towards Ghent. At Ghent we joined the motorway and headed back to Rotterdam.