Genêts walks

In the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, a hike mainly along the coastal path with an almost permanent view of the bay and the Mont. From the tip of the Grouin du Sud, the spectacle of the rising tide is superb. A loop inland allows you to visit the beautiful and moving Romanesque chapel of the Prieuré Saint-Léonard.

In the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, a hike mostly along the coastal path, along the salt marshes. On either side of the Grouin du Sud, you can enjoy a superb view of Mont Saint-Michel and, from the point itself, the spectacle of the rising tide is impressive. Returning inland, you can visit the beautiful and moving Romanesque chapel of the Priory of Saint-Léonard.

Walk from Saint-Jean-le-Thomas to Cabane Vauban, along the coastal path and then back inland.

Along the way, you will enjoy views of Mont Saint-Michel, the Vauban huts and the Lude Valley, passing through the valley of the painters, before heading back up into the countryside, passing through the marshes and the village of Kairon to arrive in the Beausoleil district of Saint-Pair.

How lovely it is to walk on a carpet of greenery known locally as the ‘Herbus’ – meadows that are submerged at spring tides, giving the grass a salty flavour, which is essential fodder for the sheep! What’s more, after passing through the charming village of Val-Saint-Père, the eye is treated to the majestic sight of Mont-Saint-Michel, which rises to the west between the Pointe du Grouin du Sud on the right and the Pointe de Roche Torin on the left.

A short hike along the sea in a protected environment and with beautiful views of the bay of Mont Saint Michel.

With steps to climb or descend, and fairly rugged coastal paths offering magnificent views of the bay, this route—which begins with a few kilometres of tarmac on quiet country lanes—allows you to enjoy, in the second half, magnificent views of the Normandy countryside and then the Cotentin coast.

An easy walk along the seafront, best enjoyed in summer and in good weather. Can be adapted to suit the circumstances by alternating between the beach and the coastal path...

A short walk starting from Saint-Brice near Avranches with lovely views over the Sée valley.

The Étrier is a route that takes you through the countryside of Lower Normandy. Slightly undulating, with hedgerows, meadows and pastures – this is the landscape and atmosphere of this walk, not forgetting Kairon Church at the start.

This walk takes you along the Couesnon between the dam and Anse de Moidrey, allowing you to see the polders on the Brittany side and also the fairly abundant wildlife, particularly birds.A bit of history: formerly known as Lerra Fluvius, the Couesnon rises in the commune of Saint-Pierre-des-Landes in Mayenne, at the Fontaine de Couesnette, 200 metres above sea level. The Couesnon was channelled in 1867, allowing boats to sail up the river as far as the port of Pontorson. The first dam, built in 1969, was intended to stop the tide from flowing back into the riverbed, which, during high tidal ranges, caused flooding. It was demolished in 2008 and replaced by the Couesnon Dam as part of the project to restore the maritime character of Mont-Saint-Michel.

From the Saint-Jacques district, very close to La Haye-Pesnel but in the commune of La Lucerne d’Outremer, you reach Le Mesnil-Drey and then the former Abbey of La Lucerne through the forest of the same name... and, zigzagging through the hedgerows of La Rochelle-Normande, you come to the Pelotin car park on the site of the old station.

Roz-sur-Couesnon consists, as its name suggests, of an upper part (roz = hill in Breton) where the village is located, and a lower part made up of former marshes, polders and salt marshes, where the Couesnon river once flowed. This unique feature gives the town an exceptional view of the bay and Mont Saint-Michel, as well as a wide variety of landscapes, which the route proposed here seeks to highlight.

This route allows you to discover a whole range of small architectural heritage sites: guardhouses, typical houses, a wash house and a church. But of course, as everywhere else in the area, the star attraction is Mont-Saint-Michel, which visitors can see in the background throughout their journey.

A circular route offering a variety of views of Mont-Saint-Michel. From the viewing points on the hills overlooking the bay, the paths along the polder dykes or the edges of the salt marshes and canals, this architectural marvel is always in view.

A leisurely stroll through the polders, returning via the plateau overlooking the former coastline. A short stretch along the Couesnon river continues towards the Greenway, offering a fine view of Mont-Saint-Michel. In principle, you’ll get a good breath of fresh air. The route presents only one minor challenge: the hill between Chanel and Haut Chanel, with an elevation gain of 15 to 75 metres. The reward in season is cherries or chestnuts!

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the polders and return via the plateau that marks the end of the old coastline. In principle, you can enjoy a breath of fresh air. The route presents only one small difficulty, namely the coast between Chanel and Haut Chanel, with a difference in altitude of 15 m to 75 m. The reward in season is cherries!

This short walk will take you around Saint Pair sur Mer, alternating between different types of paths/small roads and landscapes, including bocage, town and shopping areas, allowing you to discover the surrounding area.

The route follows the granite massif of the former coastline. You will walk along ancient paths, some of which are carved into the granite. The bocage landscape consists of sunken lanes, small meadows and fields surrounded by hedges. You will discover some beautiful views of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel, but the mount itself remains out of sight, hidden by a protruding plateau.

A short, peaceful walk starting from Sains. The route passes through wooded areas, including a charming section at the start. There are usually many water birds at the Étang du Pas Gérault, especially in autumn.

A short, peaceful walk starting from Sains. The route passes through wooded areas, including a charming section at the start. There are usually many water birds at the Pas Gérault pond, especially in autumn. This walk takes you along the Oak Trail, with its many remarkable trees, including the Oak of Liberty.

Throughout this route, there are superb views of Mont-Saint-Michel and the polders.But you will discover no less than three different landscapes: the ecologically rich site of the two valleys, the market gardening area of the polders and the infinite space of the salt marshes.

From Étang du Pas Gérault, take the paths and trails on the plateau, then on the Claye plain. The trail takes you through the somewhat wild Guyoult before following a circular route back to the plain and the lake. This area is rich in wildlife, with numerous egrets and cattle egrets, and sometimes grey herons. Game is often seen here, but it is very shy.

Granville, aptly nicknamed the Monaco of the North for its rock jutting out into the English Channel, its beaches and its casino. It is also this pirate town that was the birthplace of Christian Dior, to whom it pays tribute with a museum nestled in the illustrious couturier’s birthplace.

Facing the sea, Granville developed at the tip of the Pointe du Roc, which closes off the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, where the strongest tides in Europe swell. Granville is a dynamic town that relies on its reputation as a tourist destination. Its maritime vocation, which is not to be outdone, contributes to this. This walk will allow you to discover the pretty Norman pirate town perched on its rock and surrounded by its ramparts. This town is reminiscent of the charms of its cousin, Saint-Malo.