Mont-Saint-Michel

The bay and the Wonder — 2 days at Mont-Saint-Michel

Bay crossing, abbey and coastal villages.

Two days to reach the Mount by land and by sand: the GR 34 from Genêts, the Pontorson greenway by bike, the abbey at sunset and the Avranches manuscripts the next day.

Duration: 2 days
Distance: 70 km
Pace: Walking, cycling and shuttle
Season: All year, great tides in spring

The circuit on the map

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Day-by-day stages

Day 1

1
Genêts — bay crossingTrail
Genêts, Manche
Guided crossing is mandatory (quicksand): book the day before, 3 to 4 hours.
Trail details
2
Mont-Saint-Michel AbbeyVisit
Mont-Saint-Michel, Manche
Climb the ramparts late in the day, once the coach groups have left.

Day 2

1
Pontorson — greenwayTrail
Pontorson, Manche
Morning ride on the Véloscénie: 9 flat km along the Couesnon.
Trail details
2
Avranches — ScriptorialVisit
Avranches, Manche
The abbey manuscripts and the bay panorama from the Jardin des Plantes.
3
Cancale — Pointe du GrouinViewpoint
Cancale, Ille-et-Vilaine
Return along the Breton coast: GR 34 cliffs and an oyster tasting.
Trail details

Photos

Mont-Saint-Michel illuminé de nuit — Benh Lieu Song · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Saint-Suliac — Ewan ar Born · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

History

According to tradition, Archangel Michael appeared in 708 to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, who founded a first sanctuary on Mont Tombe. Benedictines settled there in 966 and raised the abbey and the Gothic Merveille over the centuries.

A stronghold never taken during the Hundred Years' War, a prison after the Revolution and a historic monument in 1874, the Mont and its bay have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The abbey's manuscripts are kept at the Scriptorial in Avranches.

Tips

Never cross the bay without an approved guide: quicksand and the rising tide are dangerous.
Park on the mainland, then take the free shuttle or walk 45 minutes.
Visit the abbey early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Spring tides are a unique sight: check the tidal coefficient calendar.

Trails and cycle routes used

GR 34

Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Customs Path

80 km · Moderate

See the stages

GR 22

Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel on the GR 22

65 km (section finale) · Moderate

See the stages

Véloscénie

The Véloscénie — Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel by bike

450 km (total) — 15 km (voie verte finale) · Easy (greenway) to moderate

See the stages

Events during your stay

No event is currently announced on this route. Check the agenda for the latest additions.

See the full agenda