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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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 beliefs coexist: come and discover some Celtic legends which, thanks to the presence of distinctive rocks, have survived the centuries, with the Chapel of Notre-Dame as its neighbour – the final stage of a Way of the Cross through the woods.

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.

Situated in the heart of the Coutances countryside, the village of Hambye overlooks the surrounding area with a landscape of extensive hedgerows which, as you follow the route, provide a stunning natural backdrop to the abbey ruins and offer a valuable insight into the landscapes of the Normandy valleys, with meadows—some of which are wet at the valley floor—and woodland on the slopes.

Ce bourg d'environ 1500 habitants charme par ses constructions de caractère et le dynamisme de ses habitants. Le parcours de randonnée vous mènera vers les méandres des deux rivières qui serpentent sur le territoire, la Sienne et la Bérence, qui font le bonheur des randonneurs comme des pêcheurs de salmonidés.

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.

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.

This picturesque little village, nestled in the heart of the Sienne Valley, will enchant you with its peaceful setting and lush greenery. Its few houses, built from local stone, surround the church. You will notice that the slopes of this valley are covered with beech trees, whose hard, uniform wood is used in carpentry and cabinetmaking, as well as simply for firewood.

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

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.

Discovery of the Upper Town of Granville and the childhood home of the fashion designer Christian Dior, transformed into a museum, starting from the Donville-les-Bains beach.

It comprises 175 hectares of extensive wet meadows, encompassing 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.

Between Sienne and Hambyotte, this route invites you to discover the Normandy countryside via numerous sunken lanes where, in the meadows that line them, Prim'Holstein cows, originally from Holland, mingle with Normande cows, the region's emblematic breed. At the end of the route, Hambye Abbey awaits you with its13th-century chapter house.

Several quarries dot this route. Whether they are still in operation, such as the Morinais quarry, or partly overgrown with vegetation, they all seem to still echo with the hammering sounds of decades past. The granite quarried here was used for roadworks, by funeral firms, and also in local architecture. The mysterious beauty of the Morinaye manor house and the typical rural houses in the villages you will pass through bear witness to this.

The Vanlée is a short 16 km river in Normandy which, before flowing into the English Channel, irrigates a 10-hectare marsh, the Havre de la Vanlée, classified as a natural heritage site since 1988. Covered with salt meadows, grasslands and salt marshes, it is crossed by a submersible road that is covered during high tides. Some 150 species of birds have been recorded there. There are also sheep and rabbits!

After a short walk along the sea, discover the Normandy countryside, dunes and marshes as you turn off onto small country roads. Along the way, you will encounter a few reminders of the past, as well as curious donkeys, sheep and even a small stream hidden in the greenery...

A walk along the country lanes of La Fontenelle, which presents no significant difficulty. There is a beautiful view over the Couesnon valley and the charming village of La Roche. The architecture of some of its houses is remarkable, with decorative arched windows and double-roll-top doors...

At the mouth of the small coastal river La Vanlée, a hike close to the sea and its vast horizons. The route alternates between passages through the dunes, the salt marshes where salt-meadow sheep graze, and the beach.

The Villecartier State Forest is now known for its leisure centre and miniature harbour. A former royal forest covering 1,000 hectares, it has been home to craftsmen since ancient times: the Auge des Sabotiers archaeological site bears witness to this. During the Roman period and then in the Middle Ages, its activities continued to evolve against a backdrop of religious influence. This walk, which takes place entirely in the forest, invites you to discover all these places steeped in history.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of them, and with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit it; to do so, you must be relatively quiet.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of them, and with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit it. To do so, you must be relatively quiet.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of these monuments and, with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit the forest. To do so, you need to be relatively quiet and have a little luck.

With one foot in Normandy and one in Brittany, this trail offers some truly stunning views. After taking in the panoramic scenery, you’ll wind your way through the shaded paths along the Futaie Valley.