Paris-Cherbourg-Carentan-Ouistreham

28.5.2022 After finding out the best way to get to the city, I set off after breakfast. First 15 minutes on foot to the nearest train station, then a 30-minute train ride to the city center. I visit the usual stations on foot and by metro. I regret not bringing my bike from the hotel several times, as there are many kilometers to walk despite the metro. There are many Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters throughout the city because the Champions League final is taking place in the evening. This is surely one of the reasons why hotel rooms are scarce. For my further bike tour, I plan to take the train back to the north coast. I can even get a ticket to Cherbourg myself, including a senior reduction, from a ticket machine, which is no more complicated than ours.

29.5.2022 In the morning, I take the train back to the city center, this time with my bike. It works great, I ride to Montparnasse, then with the bike to the northern exit station Saint Lazare. I have to scan the ticket with the QR code at 3 gates until I finally reach the platform. The train ride with the TER takes 3.5 hours, the seats are numbered, and there is also a place for the bike, this time hanging. I bought the ticket without a bike place, so my seat is not in the same car. Both together didn't work when booking, just like the train's Wi-Fi today. In the early afternoon, I am already at the hotel, later I explore the city. A large MSC cruise ship full of Brits is in the port, it will depart in the evening and sail to Southampton.

30.5.2022 Leaving Cherbourg is a bit difficult, the navigation system is missing part of the route and I only notice it after wandering aimlessly for a while. But then I first drive over a hill and then to the coast. I take the road right along the coast and not the official Eurovelo 4 route, which zigzags, on the coastal road there is practically no traffic except for a few campervans. In this area, the Allies landed on the beaches in 1944, e.g., Utah Beach. Numerous monuments, bunkers, and signs remind of this. Flags of the USA, GB, Canada, and of course France are also flying everywhere on private houses. A museum and a restaurant next to it are not missing, many Americans are sitting in the restaurant. In the adjacent shop, numerous souvenirs can be bought. From time to time, I encounter military vehicles (Jeeps) that are being driven around by military friends. Carentan, my destination for the day, is inland, the hotel is a bit remote, but it offers dinner, and the food is good.

31.5.2022 I ride briskly towards Grandcamp Maisy, where after 20 km there is a cappuccino in the sun right by the sea. Today, too, I come across army vehicles again and again. At the roadside, there are occasionally stands with military utensils. I am told that the scene is active around the time of D-Day. Today too, there are always memorials, museums, etc. especially impressive is Arromanches les Bains. There you can see concrete elements in the water in a large radius, which are remnants of an artificial harbor (google Mulberry Harbor). This was built by the Allies in a short time to bring supplies ashore. Towards the end of the stage, I ride directly along the sea, passing many seaside resorts until I reach Ouistreham. The beach there is very wide, there is also a Ferris wheel and a ferry to England.

Route from Cherbourg to Dunkirk