Saint-Brice (Manche) walks

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

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.

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.

A very short round trip to see Mont Saint-Michel from the Grouin du Sud. It is best to do this walk at high tide, one or two hours before the tide is at its peak, so that you can watch it come in and cover the sand.

Route from the bar "l'Autre Café" in Bardet, then return to the bar car park via the village of communal lodges "le Bel Orient".

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.

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.

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.

This walking trail winds through a steep-sided valley rich in architectural heritage: mills, a manor house, a castle, etc. You’ll also be taken back in time as you discover traces of the writer Rémy de Gourmont’s time here.

This easy and very pleasant route along the banks of the Beuvron was suggested by the Saint-James Children's Municipal Council. It also passes close to the American military cemetery, allowing for a short extension to the walk.

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.

Alternating between hedgerow landscapes, sunken lanes, granite boulders, woods, wetlands and walks through villages with distinctive architecture, this route weaves a link between the history of flax and hemp – once cultivated on these lands – and modern-day farming. Information panels are placed along the route.

For a long time, the hydraulic power of watercourses was harnessed, and mills served as landmarks for water-related activities along the rivers. In Ver, on the River Sienne – a coastal river renowned for hosting large migratory fish (Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey and eel) – the weir at the Moulin de Ver was removed in 2010 to facilitate their passage.

A short walk for the whole family, starting from the village of Hudimesnil. You can enjoy the park, which is ideal for picnics with its ponds and children's playground.

The Monthault Rock is a place where two faiths coexist: come and discover some Celtic legends which, thanks to the presence of distinctive rocks, have endured through the centuries, with the Chapel of Notre-Dame – the final stop on a Way of the Cross through the woods – as its neighbour.

A short, easy walk around the Sougeal Marshes. Designated both a Regional Nature Reserve and a ‘Remarkable Site of Brittany’, with over 175 hectares restored, the area safeguards the bay’s ecosystem. You can spot over 360 plant species, amongst the reed beds and hedgerows. As for wildlife, there are numerous migratory birds. Depending on the season, you’ll find over 60 species of waterbirds, including grey herons and white storks.

Just 3 km from the coast, this route takes us through the Normandy countryside, mainly along paths and trails.

It comprises 175 hectares of extensive wet meadows and encompasses three main activities (see practical information). This route invites you to explore this environment, starting at the fish pass and then following the course of the Couesnon as closely as possible.In this regional nature reserve, only birdsong can be heard.

The route runs along the edge of the marsh and its vast 175-hectare wet meadows. These are classified as an “Espace Remarquable de Bretagne” (Regional Nature Reserve). The marsh is home to waterfowl all year round, but you may also come across cows and horses grazing freely there. In winter, access to the marsh is often cut off by floodwaters. The suggested route allows you to go round the marsh. However, two observation points overlooking the marsh remain accessible. The route also offers a more idyllic stretch through the woods and countryside around Sougeal. All in all, a peaceful walk to be enjoyed all year round.