Villiers-le-Sec walks

Stroll through the Bessin region of Normandy. Pass through villages steeped in history.

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.

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.

Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Seulles Valley and through the surrounding countryside.

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.

A short, easy walk offering views of the Bessin coast between Arromanches and Manvieux. You will have a commanding view of Arromanches and its artificial harbour and walk along the coastal cliffs. But be careful not to get too close to the cliffs as there is a risk of collapse.

From Ver-sur-Mer to Asnelles via the Gold Beach seafront between the dunes, beach and marshes. Return through the Normandy countryside overlooking the beach, via the villages of Asnelles, Meuvaines and Asnelles and the British memorial which pays tribute to the 22,442 liberators who fell under British command during the Battle of Normandy (opening in 2021).

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.

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.

Starting from Bayeux, you will reach the pretty Aure valley, the romantic site of the church of Vaux-sur-Aure, the Haizerie farm and its ice creams, and the orchards of the Fumichon farm. You will return via the country paths of Bessin.

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.

This walk passes through villages with remarkable architecture and also crosses rural areas along the Vey and Mue rivers.

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.

Following in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda, this urban route takes in the city's two superb Romanesque abbeys (for men and women) and the ducal castle. Several other churches, narrow streets and alleys, and a few public gardens complete the picture.

Discover the magnificent village of Le Locheur from the leisure centre. An ideal outing for the whole family. Heritage sites to visit: Gothic church, wash houses, Arry Manor.

Discover the banks of the Orne River in Louvigny, the surrounding marshes and the charm of their rural landscapes.

During this route, enjoy not only the pleasure of a country walk in the bocage countryside, but also the bucolic charm of the Guigne valley. You can also appreciate an architectural heritage that is just waiting to be discovered.

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