Échappée Belle for nature explorers | Saint-Malo – Mont-Saint-Michel Bay

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Saint-Suliac and the banks of the Rance

Day 1: Fauna, flora and heritage

Comfortable, well-equipped: it’s really perfect this gîte, nestled in the greenery on the banks of the Rance. Its location means you can criss-cross the area as you please. Like this nature outing in Saint-Suliac, booked with guide Alexandra Durand. Here you go for a good 3 hours of walking through sumptuous landscapes, in the company of an enthusiastic guide. As you walk, your guide will immerse you in the stories – great and small – of this unique and endearing region. Fauna, flora, heritage and the life of the local people will be told to you as you go along. Here is the oratory of Grainfollet, erected to thank the Virgin Mary for the protection afforded to the sailors who went cod fishing in Newfoundland.

Are you still curious? Before returning to the gîte, why not drop by the House of Collections to learn more about the inhabitants of this paradise between land and sea, holder of the Les Plus beaux villages de France® label.

in romantic Brittany

Day 2: Canals, châteaux and bucolic landscapes

Change of scenery: you’re in romantic Brittany with its canals, châteaux, bucolic landscapes and characterful villages. How lucky you are to be able to move from the coast to the countryside, to wander through such different and always wonderful landscapes!

The brunch you’ve just enjoyed in Saint Brieuc-des-Iffs, in the ecolodge Fleurs de lin, has got you in shape. Are you ready to pedal? The circuit du canal is an enchanted interlude in a hectic world, a soothing and rejuvenating loop on quiet paths. Bikes glide along the towpath alongside the Ille-et-Rance canal. As you pass, you wave to hikers, one or two fishermen, lock-keepers busy manoeuvring, freshwater sailors and a grumbling heron that takes off as you approach. Time itself has stood still. Set foot on land at Hédé-Bazouges, near a lock-keeper’s house, to admire the graphic perspective of the Eleven locks in succession. The stage is part of the Traversée Bretonne route, which showcases the gems of the region from Nantes to Mont Saint-Michel.

Which of you took the best photo?

GR®34 and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay

Day 3: Hiking and flying over Mont-Saint-Michel Bay

Everybody up at 7am to set off on the hike! The first few metres on the GR®34 put everyone in agreement, it was definitely worth getting up early. The customs path runs along the coast, alternating between viewpoints and scenery: secret coves, steep cliffs, immense shores and, always, that breathtaking view of the sea and the horizon. Of course, you’ll only be able to cover a small part of it in a morning, but it’s sure to keep you coming back for more. Next year, it’s decided, you’ll continue the adventure. Another awaits you this afternoon: a microlight flight over the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Les Dogues Volants and Air’n Bay, the local service providers, offer flights over this magical place, its polders and fisheries. You can’t wait to find yourself above Mont Saint-Michel, to take a tour of the Wonder.

We understand you: can you dream of a better first flight?

Saint-Servan

Day 4: escapade to the origins of Saint-Malo

You’re already familiar with Saint-Malo Intra-Muros so this time you’re off to discover another district of Saint-Malo. It’ll be Saint-Servan, at the suggestion of a Destination Saint-Malo Baie du Mont Saint-Michel holiday advisor. The promenade at La Cité d’Alet, facing the ramparts and Dinard, has a southern Brittany feel with its maritime pines and gorse blossom. Enjoy lunch on the sunny terrace of a restaurant in Solidor, a small port lined with beautiful houses and dominated by a 14th-century fortified keep. In 2 hours’ time, you have an appointment at La Cravache, the Saint- Coulomb equestrian centre, just a few kilometres from the corsair town. On the programme: a ride along country lanes. From the top of your mount, you may just catch a glimpse of some of the local nuggets that are usually hidden away…

Le Tronchet and the Mesnil forest

Day 5: going green

Golf du Tronchet or the Domaine des Ormes? A course designed by the architect of Le Golf National or laid out in the grounds of a château? The choice is not easy. Both are very popular with the golfing community and are set in exceptional wooded surroundings. Both offer introductory lessons supervised by professionals and have a clubhouse for lunch after your lesson. What can we say except that the ball is in your court?
After your putting trials, extend your day in the green with a walk in the Mesnil forest, the former hunting estate of privateer Robert Surcouf. This vast state-owned forest is home to many treasures that are revealed as the walk progresses. Like this impressive monument: you’ve just come across the covered walkway of the Roche aux Fées, a protected megalith. Tonight, the goddesses of the forest will populate your dreams…

Saint-Malo and its bay

Day 6: nautical immersion

You’ll have fond memories of this outing in the Bay of Saint-Malo: discovering the forts designed by the architect Vauban from a sea kayak is great! “Too good!” said the children, who were also there. You’d never paddled before, though, but you soon got the hang of it. The Malouin Corsairs instructor was there to accompany this first time, telling you all about the places – the Petit Bé renovated by an old stone lover, the Grand Bé, where Chateaubriand is buried, the Fort National – and the birds you came across during your trip. Your penultimate day of holiday is entirely devoted to the sea. After the paddle, the helm: here you are captain of an old rigging off Saint-Malo! With your crew, you’ll feel like you’re sailing faster than the wind.

Yes, those are dolphins playing in the wake of the boats! You’re going to have a lot to talk about…

Fort de Saint-Père et Saint-Suliac

Day 7: accrobranche and a relaxing end to the day

OK for the accrobranche! The children are as excited as fleas. Just the thing, they’ll be able to jump to their heart’s content on the Tramp Ôforest® nets from Corsaire Aventure. No sooner had they arrived at the Fort de Saint-Père than they were off like arrows, ready to climb, leap, slide and explore. Trees, masts, nets, slides, games on the ground and in the air – there’s everything you need for children to enjoy 3 hours of adventure with the Captain of the fort and his crew. And it’s not just the kids: you look like you’re having a great time, perched on top of this mast…

This evening is a break for everyone: no shopping, no cooking, but a nice little restaurant in Saint-Suliac to enjoy one last balade dans les ruettes and a golden sunset over the waves.

Fairy, as was this wonderful week.

©Ruettes De Saint Suliac Smbmsm 2163|smbmsm

DID YOU KNOW?

The tides punctuate the daily lives of the region’s inhabitants, and this phenomenon, admired from a sheltered vantage point, is also a real spectacle!

Great tides