A paddleboard, canoe and kayak trip on the Aure starts and ends at the Pont de Monfréville; from the hilltop, the Église Saint-Martin overlooks the marshes of the Aure Valley. There is also a signposted cycling loop and the Château de Monfréville, dating from the late 16th century. You can plan your trip around a water activity, the cycling loop or the historic buildings.

On the Aure and Through the Marshes

The paddleboard, canoe and kayak trip starts and ends at the Pont de Monfréville. Along the way, you can experience the marsh ecosystem and its migratory birds and mammals. This connects the water activity with the natural landscape that defines it. If you are planning the trip, check its dates and availability in advance.

Cycling on Les Marais de l’Aure

The Les Marais de l’Aure cycling loop is signposted in both directions with a red marker numbered 11. The Aire de repos de Monfréville is along the route. One important seasonal note concerns the stretch of road between La Cambe and Monfréville: it can flood in winter. If you are planning the loop in the colder months, take this stretch into account and check conditions before setting out.

Compared with the water trip, the cycling loop offers a different way to plan your visit: it is described as a distinct route with specific signage, while the Aure trip starts and ends at a named point. The possibility of seasonal flooding is a separate planning consideration for the cycling loop and should not be confused with the changing dates and availability of the water trip.

Église Saint-Martin: History and Views

The Église Saint-Martin in Monfréville dates from the 12th century and was restored between 1879 and 1890. From the hilltop in Monfréville, the church overlooks the marshes of the Aure Valley. There is also a landscaped viewpoint in front of the church, where you can take in the marshland. Here, a long architectural history meets a direct view of the landscape: you can appreciate the church as a historic building while also enjoying the view across the marshes.

The Château de Monfréville

The stately Château de Monfréville also makes its own architectural statement. It dates from the late 16th century and is distinguished by a conical, slate-roofed tower. Its shape and slate roof make this feature a striking detail in the description of the château. Together with the church, the château offers a cultural and historical way to discover the area, distinct from enjoying nature on the Aure or cycling the loop.

The trips also differ in how you prepare: for the water trip, check dates and availability; for the cycling loop, the stretch that may flood in winter is especially relevant. This lets you plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Benerville-Sur-Mer, Courson, Le Faulq, Mosles, Caumont-L'éventé, Lisieux, Géfosse-Fontenay, Houlgate.

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.