Chemin de Caen Ouistreham

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A LITTLE HISTORY
The Normandy route begins at the port of Ouistreham, now the arrival point for the cross-Channel ferry from Portsmouth and Caen's outport since the Middle Ages. You arrive in Caen along the canal and the River Orne.
From Caen to Mont-Saint-Michel, the most popular route for pilgrims was undoubtedly via Bretteville-sur-Odon, Villers-Bocage, Coulvain, Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, Pontfarcy and Villedieu-les-Poêles.

Today's road network (N 175 then A 84/E401) and the extent of land consolidation mean that this route can no longer be used by walkers.
However, historical research has revealed the existence of a second Montais road, corresponding to the ancient Roman road that linked Vieux-la-Romaine to Avranches and which is largely in line with the "Grand chemin de Bretagne" of the Ancien Régime.

The itinerary chosen therefore follows this route, used throughout Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the modern era, as far as Hamars, via Evrecy.
After Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, our route diverges slightly from the original route as we pass through Bény-Bocage.

Beyond Saint-Sever, this itinerary leaves the last part of the ancient route to head for Villedieu-les-Poêles along the old main road from Falaise to Granville, then passes through La Haye-Pesnel and Sartilly, before arriving in Genêts, where pilgrims can undertake the famous crossing of the Bay to the sanctuary of the Archangel.

THE STAGES

Total: 190 km - 9 stages

For more details on this guide, see the section on Guides

THE AREAS WE PASS THROUGH AND THEIR LANDSCAPES :
After Ouistreham and the Orne estuary, the route reaches Caen, an ancient ducal city, before following the valley of the River Odon. It crosses the border between the plains of the Caen region and the rolling countryside of Suisse Normande via Evrecy, Hamars and Saint-Jean-le-Blanc, before entering the heart of the Bocage Virois.

After passing close to Vire, the route passes through the forest of Saint-Sever and then the Bocage of southern Manche before reaching Genêts, the start of the final stage: the traverse des grèves.

This route, which starts on the coast, is then very green and picturesque, passing through many small villages. It follows the valleys, taking advantage of the beautiful ridge paths and charming sunken lanes.

NOT TO BE MISSED :
- the port of Ouistreham and its old town with its Saint-Samson church recently restored
- Bénouville, its castle built by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux and the bridge Pegasus bridge liberated on the night of 6 June
- The town of Caenand its medieval heritage
- La Barony of Bretteville-sur-Odona former possession of the monks of Mont
- The many small churches scattered along the route (in Baron-sur-Odon, Esquay-Notre-Dame...) are a delight to visit, EvrecyPréaux-Bocage, La Caine, Hamars, Coulonces)
- Saint-Sever-Calvadosa thousand-year-old stopover on the Mont-Saint-Michel Pilgrimage Route, with its Gothic abbey church
- Villedieu-les-PoêlesThe town has been awarded the "Ville et Métiers d'Art" (Town and Crafts) label, where you can discover coppersmiths and foundrymen, as well as lace-makers and traditional Norman furniture.
- GenetsThis is the arrival point for the Way and the starting point for the crossing of the Bay (to be done accompanied by an experienced guide).

VARY THE PLEASURES!
This route is well-suited to equestrians: there are special variants for them in the guide, in particular to avoid the most urbanised areas.

Mountain bikers can use this route without encountering any difficulties, and the new guide sets out the rare mountain bike variants in the information sheets (itinerary and maps).

GPX FILES, STEP BY STEP, TO DOWNLOAD FOR GPS
These routes are given for guidance only and are not as accurate as the topographical texts accompanied by the 1:50,000 maps in the guide published by the Association.

Download GPX

OPINION OF MIQUELOTS

"We travelled through a magnificent rural region, passing through quiet hamlets and light-filled paths..... to be refreshed by the constant rays of Brother Sun!
An easy itinerary that invited us to renew our interiority and to discover places and facilitate the very beautiful encounters that the Way offers every time!

All along the way, we've been spreading the word about this inspiring route, and have been very happy to raise awareness of it in the host venues we've met in the evenings.
People who were curious, even challenged by its existence. Especially those who had already travelled to Santiago de Compostela.
We invited them to contact the association for more information.
With our warmest thanks as pilgrims".
Anne and Pascale, July 2022

"I just wanted to say how delighted I was by all the beautiful scenery and paths, and to congratulate you on all the work you've done on the signposting and maintenance, among other things.
Met some lovely people, some of whom I was able to pitch my little trekking tent with.
Bonne continuation "
Sylvie, July 2022