Ouistreham - Le Havre - Dieppe - Le Crotoy

Atejade: 01.06.2022

1.6.2022 Today I pass by some seaside resorts again. The first coffee stop after about 20km is in Cabourg. There are some large older hotels there. Two racehorses with their sulkies trot along the beach. In Houlgate, the road goes steeply up the hill and then down again towards Villers sur Mer. The next two towns, Deauville and Trouville sur Mer, actually belong together. They are lively and I like them, there is also a market. Then it goes up the hill again, and before Honfleur, you are back at sea level. Honfleur is very touristy, it almost feels like Nyhavn in Copenhagen, with one restaurant after another at the harbor where many old houses stand. To get to Le Havre, there are two ways, either a detour via the next bridge or via the Pont de Normandie, I choose the closer bridge, which has a separate bike lane, but it feels like I'm riding on the highway. Luckily, today the right lane is closed for maintenance, so I have plenty of space and the trucks do not pass by with a distance of 1m. The bridge is over 2100m long, with the roadway being 60m above the water at the highest point. Before Le Havre, the route then goes towards the port facilities, and then it turns into the city. The city itself was rebuilt after the war, so there is no old town. There are many small restaurants on the beach, where I can have a meal.

2.6.2022 Still in the city, the road leads up about 100 meters in altitude to a high plateau, and except for one exception, I stay at this altitude until I reach Etretat. A sign at the roadside pointing to a viewpoint leads me to the edge of the cliffs. Far below, there is a harbor built in the 1970s for 2 supertankers and some tanks. However, the facility is no longer in operation. Before Etretat, the road goes downhill to sea level. The famous cliffs are impressive, a visit is worthwhile. I also visit the viewpoint on the cliff. The village is also beautiful, but I only notice that when I drive out. The road goes up the hill again, and in Fecamp, my destination for the day, I am back at sea level. Fecamp is a larger town, but I wouldn't vacation there.

3.6.2022 First, my tour today has a demanding 90 meters in altitude at the beginning, very steeply up to the normal topographic height. The whole area is approximately at this altitude, there are individual cuts or valleys where the port towns are located. Today, I do this process 4 times. I pass by Chateau De Sissi, in Sassetot-le-Mauconduit, which is now a hotel. Sissi is said to have stayed here for relaxation. In Saint Valeriy en Caux, it's market day, so I enjoy a coffee. Then there is a lunch break in Veules les Roses. Gradually, I get closer to my destination before there is another valley and mountain hike. In Dieppe, I can only check into the hotel at 5 pm, so I spend my time shopping and having an aperitif. Dieppe seems a bit neglected, the old buildings need renovation. I stay there for 2 nights but have to change hotels because it is fully booked. The second hotel is about 3km away from the city center.

4.6.2022 Changing to the hotel on the outskirts of the city, that means again going up about 90 meters in altitude, I didn't think of that because it is more inland. I can deposit my luggage, but of course the room isn't ready at 9 am. There are some large shops across the street, then I drive back down to the city. I tour around, at the harbor, promenade, etc. I also get my long hair cut before I drive back to the hotel.

5.6.2022 At 8:30, I look out the window and can't believe my eyes, dense fog. Well, at least no rain. But I put on an extra vest. But already on the first climb of the obligatory 90 meters, I start sweating. But straight ahead, it's more pleasant, the roads are sometimes wet, you can't see anything, the glasses fog up. It's a little better at sea level, then the fog is higher. I reach the sea for the first time after about 20 km, at least there is a bistro open for coffee. Today I cover the 80km because there is not much to see. In Crotoy, the destination, there is a market with local products, and the shops are open, even though it's Sunday. The streets are quite crowded.