The GR® 223 is a 650 kilometer long customs trail that runs along the Normandy coast.
This “Grandes Randonnées” itinerary, with its 24 stages, follows the beaches of Normandy from the Seine estuary in Honfleur (in Calvados), to Mont Saint-Michel (in Manche), where it joins the GR® 34.
It passes through famous seaside resorts such as Deauville, Trouville and Courseulles-sur-Mer. It also overlooks the D-Day landing beaches from Sword to Utah via Juno.
The customs path is perfectly adapted to both seasoned hikers and Sunday strollers.
Credit : Courseulles-sur-Mer, Sophie Kernen-Jumeaux & Co
What is a GR®?
GR® is the abbreviation of “Grande Randonnée”, a trademark registered by the French Federation of Hiking. The GR® are marked itineraries that allow you to hike for several days or several weeks.
The marking
Have you ever noticed these two red and white lines? These are the signposts for the long-distance footpaths. During your walk, the visible marking will be presented in different forms: paint, stickers, PVC plates, directional post… and on different supports: rocks, trees, walls or posts.
What to see and do on the GR® 223
With the sea as an infinite horizon, the GR 223 promises a sporty and iodized experience!
The smells of salt, iodine and sea spray mingle on this trail of a thousand landscapes.
On the program: a variety of landscapes, breathtaking panoramas, a visit to the remains of the Atlantic Wall, museums on the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944 and the steep coasts of the English Channel.
- Distance: 650 km
- 24 stages of 15 to 30 km
- Maximum altitude : 149 m
- Minimum altitude : 0 m
- Average number of walking days : 25 days
Itinerary from Honfleur to Courseulles-sur-Mer :
Itinerary from Ver-sur-Mer to Carentan :
©www.gr-infos.com/gr223.htm
Honfleur
You will be charmed by Honfleur, the city of painters with its picturesque streets, its half-timbered facades and its old basin lined with restaurants. Impressionists like Courbet, Monet, Boudin immortalized it on their paintings.
A real technological feat, the Pont de Normandie is the link between Calvados and Seine-Maritime.
©Matthieu Tordeur, Sabina Lorkin
La Côte Fleurie
The Côte fleurie is a part of the Normandy coastline that stretches from Cabourg to Honfleur, passing through Trouville and Houlgate. It is dotted with pretty seaside resorts with Belle Epoque houses and colorful gardens. Deauville and its American film festival are famous worldwide.
©Jean-Michel Gatey, Andrea Bischoff Leica
La Côte de Nacre
The Côte de Nacre is located between the mouth of the Seulles at Courseulles-sur-Mer and the mouth of the Orne at Ouistreham. On the dykes of Luc-sur-Mer, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer or Hermanville-sur-Mer, fishermen’s houses stand next to beautiful villas. The beach huts are the emblem of this coast. Water sports are practiced here. The fishing ports and the fish markets of Courseulles-sur-Mer and Ouistreham are famous places to stroll around.
Taking as a starting point one of the seaside resorts of the Côte de Nacre is a good idea! If you arrive by train at Caen station, you can reach the coast with the bus line n°101.
©Vincent Rustuel, Fabien Mahaut
The D-Day landing beaches
In 1944, on June 6th and during the long summer that followed, men from all over the world fought in Normandy to restore Freedom. Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah, on each of these areas museums, cemeteries and memorial sites tell the story of those men who set foot on the ground on the morning of June 6, 1944.
©Grégory Wait, the Explorers-Valentin Pacaut
The coasts of the Manche department
You leave Calvados to go to the Manche department. You will cross some of the jewels listed as World Heritage by UNESCO: the Mont Saint-Michel and its bay and the Vauban Towers in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. You will also cross the Regional Natural Park of the Marshes of Bessin and Cotentin renowned for its luxuriant flora. Will you climb to the top of the Gatteville lighthouse? After the 365 steps, the panoramic view on the Val de Saire will leave you speechless.
©Amélie Blondiaux-Hellolaroux, Coraline et Léo
Granville and Mont-Saint-Michel
Nicknamed “the Monaco of the North”, Granville is one of the most important seaside resorts of the English Channel.
You will finish the GR 223 in apotheosis with the visit of the Mont-Saint-Michel: we advise you to opt for a crossing of the bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel accompanied by a guide, preferably during the periods of high tides.
©the Explorers-Valentin Pacaut, Sophie Kernen Jumeaux & Co
