Le Vivier and the Canal des Planches from Mont-Dol

Park in the car park opposite the cemetery.

(S/E) Cross the road and walk alongside the cemetery on the left. Take the path on the left, then the steps to reach the road leading up to the summit. Turn right at the chestnut tree, heading towards the tower visible at the top (the former Chappe Telegraph Tower). Take the opportunity to climb it and enjoy a remarkable view of the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

(1) Head back down via the chapel, go round the pond and turn right. Pass the small restaurant, and shortly afterwards take the path leading down to the right on the north side of the hill. Please note, the path is steep and may be slippery. When you reach the road, turn right. Ignore two junctions.

(2) At the crossroads, follow the signs for the Route du Marais de Dol, to the left, towards Villeneuve. Continue along the road to the hamlet of Pont du Vivier, following the Canal des Planches.

(3) At the crossroads, cross the D282 and continue straight ahead, crossing the stone bridge over the Banche. Cross the D797 and take the path opposite which curves to the left.

Red and white markings of the GR®34

Pass the mussel farm via the D797 and cross a second bridge over the Guyoult and the three estuaries.

(4) After the bridge, turn right and head towards the coast, crossing the port area. Do not enter the port area. Take the road that runs past the buildings, then the street on the right for about 130 metres. Take the path on the left and follow it to a sandy track. Continue westwards, staying on the sand, pass the picnic area, then, after about 800 metres, at the signpost, climb the small hill on the left.

(5) Follow the path and cross the D155 to take the small road opposite heading south, still on the GR®34. Continue straight ahead.

(6) Cross the D78 by first turning right then left and follow the GR®, keeping to the left of the road. Then keep left again.

(7) Cross a small stone bridge over the Biez de Cardequin and head towards the hamlet of Le Haut Pont.

(8) Cross the bridge and, turning right then left, cross the D155 and continue straight ahead on the road. At the second junction, about 350 metres on, take the road on the right and continue to the Stop sign at the hamlet of Les Cours.

(9) Turn right. Stay on the road and go round Mont-Dol. Pass the town hall and then the church, and head for the car park, continuing straight on (S/E).

Take care when crossing roads and when walking alongside them.

Orientation table at the foot of the tower.

On the Tertre, two^19th-century windmills stand out. One of them, purchased by the local council, has been restored: it is the only mill in the bay to have retained its internal mechanism (open in season).

St Peter’s Church: the small St Peter’s Church at Mont-Dol was built at the end of the^12th century and was altered in the^15th,^16th and^19th centuries. During the Revolution, the church appears not to have suffered as Mont-Dol was a Chouan stronghold. The murals were restored in 1972 and are the artistic jewel of St Peter’s Church.

In Dol-de-Bretagne: the Basilica of Saint-Samson, a jewel of Breton Gothic architecture, and the charming old houses on the Grande-Rue-des-Stuarts; the Maison des Petits Palets, dating from^{the 12th} century, is one of the oldest in Brittany; the moat; the Rue des Perons and the Rue Ceinte; the menhir in the Dolent field, etc.