Thaon walks

Route around Fontaine-Henry Castle. Halfway between the city of Caen and the D-Day beaches, Fontaine-Henry Castle overlooks the green valley of the Mue. Its vertiginously high roofs tower above the centuries-old trees in the park and crown a richly sculpted façade combining 15th- and 16th-century styles.

Graye-sur-Mer beach was part of the Juno Beach sector during the landings on 6 June 1944. It was liberated by Canadian troops. The return journey from Ver to Graye takes you partly through marshland sheltered behind a narrow strip of dunes.

An amazing setting in the middle of nature and on the outskirts of Caen. Passing over and under the ring road reminds us of the proximity of the big city, which you forget as you cross the Odon six times via footbridges, old railway bridges and a ford. The path is popular with joggers. The "Course entre deux O" race follows part of this route in November.

This short walk between two villages in Bessin will allow you to discover the beautiful Normandy countryside. It is not particularly difficult. It mainly follows footpaths or farm tracks and a few roads with little traffic. Only the 150 m section on the D153 is a little busier.

This short walk will allow you to discover Asnelles, a small coastal village, and Arromanches, a small seaside town with its artificial harbour, where traces of the D-Day landings are still clearly visible. You will walk along the coast and even cross the beach. You can visit the Asnelles shortbread biscuit factory, the Arromanches museum and admire the landscape overlooking the sea and the port. The return journey will take you along the paths of the Normandy countryside with a glimpse of the coastline.

Circuit starting from the village of Nonant, passing through several villages such as Martragny, Vaux and Carcagny with views of several castles and manor houses.

Starting from Ryes, this route combines small country lanes in the Bessin plain, the sea and history. It will introduce you to several facets of this agricultural and tourist region through its beaches and its turbulent history, the scale of which is illustrated by the remains of the artificial port of Arromanches.

A birdwatching site of great beauty, the bay of the Orne estuary is now protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral. The Maison de la Nature, several observatories and a network of footpaths showcase this unmissable natural area. Moderator's note See the review dated 21/02/2022: work in progress on this hike

Take a lovely coastal path and watch the local and migratory birds, pass by the Redoute de Merville, built in 1760 under Louis XVI based on plans by Vauban, walk along the beach, climb up to the Atlantic Wall coastal battery, cross the horse parks with foals depending on the season, stroll through the countryside... this is what you will discover on this hike. Don't forget your binoculars. The hike should be done when the tidal coefficient is below 80.

The route follows footpaths and cycle paths in Bayeux Intramuros, the botanical garden and the stadium, paths outside Bayeux and recently built wooden footbridges to cross a marshy area.

Starting from Merville-Franceville-Plage, enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside and the marshes, but also soak up the seaside atmosphere of this renowned seaside resort. Along the way, you will discover the architectural and, above all, historical heritage, notably the Merville Battery, a key site of the June 1944 landings (9th Battalion of the6th Airborne).

From May-sur-Orne, cross the fields, stroll through wooded areas, follow the Laize and Orne valleys and return via Saint-André-sur-Orne.

Leaving Gonneville-en-Auge, in the countryside, follow the Bay of Sallenelles and the River Orne. You will then pass the Merville Batteries.

Between paths, plains and undergrowth, this hike will delight you with its scenery. Like all hikes in the bocage, it is hilly with a good little climb. The route is very well marked with yellow signs.

A charming walk combining forests, wooded paths, streams, mills, hamlets, beautiful stone buildings, fields and meadows, with a few small climbs. Very pleasant to do from spring, when the vegetation comes to life, until autumn, when it bursts into shades of yellow, ochre and red. Apart from the section from Le Pissot to the hamlet of Touchet (1 km), there are virtually no roads to walk on, although it is sometimes difficult to avoid them.

This heritage trail immerses you in medieval society alongside knights, monks and peasants. In the 11th century, in the Cinglais region, Boulon was part of the powerful seigneury of RaoulI Taisson, who built the Château de Thuit there, the seat of seigneurial power. Between forest and heritage, the Boulon discovery trail reveals traces of this medieval past. This trail is marked in blue with signs reading "Heritage Trail - Boulon in the Middle Ages".

An easy route along beautiful paths through woods and hedgerows, passing through a typical village of the Pays Bocain.

The Orne valley, upstream from the city of Caen. This circuit invites you to discover both banks of the Orne River north of Thury-Harcourt. Description and route slightly out of date in places, see reviews for alternatives

Ouffières welcomes you to a large square beautifully decorated with flowers. You can then set off to discover magnificent stone houses before following the Orne River as it winds its way through the Swiss Normandy.