Lovers’ Treasure Hunt | Saint-Malo – Mont-Saint-Michel Bay

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

Saint-Suliac

Day 1: Fall under the spell of this fishing village awarded the Plus Beaux Villages de France® label!

The first afternoon of your stay is spent in Saint-Suliac. You’ll fall under the spell of this fishing village with the Plus Beaux Villages de France® label. This gem attracts many visitors every year, enchanted by the atmosphere of this place founded in the 6th century. What a chance to enjoy it out of season! Lose yourself in the narrow streets of the village, stop in front of an arched doorway or a lintelled window, push open the door of the 13th-century church, walk down the steep streets to the harbour, walk to the oratory of Grainfollet, a sanctuary built in honour of the Virgin to protect the terre-neuvas, the sailors who left to fish for cod off the coast of Canada. Fit for a bit of climbing? 70 metres of ascent and you’re at the top of Mont Garrot for an extraordinary view of the Rance. It’s already time to head back to Saint-Malo for dinner and the night, enjoying the comfort and peace and quiet of a charming Servan accommodation.

©Facebook Publications 2|©Thibault Poriel

Saint-Malo, La cité Corsaire

Day 2: Discovering the secrets of the Corsair City.

You were right to choose a guided tour this morning to discover the heritage, history and little and big secrets of the Corsair City. Walking its streets is bound to have whetted your appetite: there’s no shortage of gourmet addresses within the city walls, so you’re in for a treat! Then how about a trip out to sea? Islands, forts, lighthouses and rocks dot the magnificent Bay of Saint-Malo. This is where the great explorers and famous privateers set off from, and where the modern adventurers of the Route du Rhum are setting sail from. Back on dry land, take a stroll through the Parc de La Briantais. This majestic and soothing municipal estate, the town’s green lung, opens out onto the open sea and the Rance estuary. This evening, you’ll dine in a restaurant in Bas-Sablons/Solidor, a picturesque district of Saint-Malo. The atmosphere is always festive and relaxed. You’ll feel right at home with the boats at anchor as your horizon… Then, sweet dreams guaranteed in your cosy room in the Saint-Servan district!

Saint-Malo

Day 3: On the coast of Saint-Malo, between town and nature.

You’re ready to set foot on the GR®34, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in France. Start at Rothéneuf, Pointe de La Varde. Your dog must be kept on a lead when crossing this sensitive natural area, which is home to many migratory birds. Stop off at Le Nicet for a few exercises on the fitness trail… or to contemplate the sea from a bench. 12:30? Time for a break, in a restaurant with a sea view, of course. Drive through the pretty market town of Rothéneuf and into the countryside to visit the Manoir Jacques Cartier, the illustrious explorer who discovered Canada and was born in Saint-Malo in 1491. Get back in the car and head for the Sillon. This famous dyke is lined with magnificent seaside villas and overlooks the Plage du Sillon, voted France’s most beautiful beach several times. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink while gazing into each other’s eyes as the sun sets over the sea. Dinner in Paramé or Saint-Servan, your choice, and third night (already!) in Saint-Servan.

The Port of Cancale

Day 4: stopover at the port of La Houle

This morning, it’s bikes! Did you leave yours at home? Don’t panic, a number of service providers offer them for hire. Head for Saint-Coulomb to discover the malouinières. These country houses belonging to the shipowners and privateers of Saint-Malo, with their typical architecture, can be discovered on a looping circuit. For lunch, head to Cancale, a member of the Site Remarquable du Goût (Outstanding Taste Site) network: in the port of La Houle, an emblematic district, take a seat around a good table with a view of the sea in Caribbean colours. Can you handle a rake? Tide permitting, you can draw ephemeral works of art on the sand. After this Beach Art session, ideal for letting go, a snack or tea time in a local salon is just what you need. The day comes to a peaceful close. Soon, you’ll be dining and sleeping in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, this UNESCO World Heritage treasure.

The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel

Day 5: At the heart of the action in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel!

Sailing if the tide allows, strolling along the foreshore or pedalling on the Vélomaritime®… Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy the fabulous light of the bay, with Mont Saint-Michel as the guest star. A seafood lunch is a must, with shellfish or “Moules de bouchot de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel” PDO mussels, depending on the season. Now that’s what we call eating local! Continue along the coast as far as the Balcon de la Baie: this elevated garden offers a spectacular view of the landscapes of this exceptional region. Are you familiar with the polders, the land reclaimed from the sea? Your walk continues to the Marais de Sougeal, classified as a Remarkable Area of Brittany. The nature reserve is home to many migratory birds and almost 400 species of flora. A visit to the Maison du Marais is an ideal way to understand this area, its history and the species that live there. This evening, you will dine and sleep for the second time in the heart of the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

©Facebook Publications 4|©Simon Bourcier

the Pays de Dol

Day 6: History and legends in the Pays de Dol

Before climbing Mont-Dol at your own pace, push open the door of Saint Pierre church. At the foot of the mound, the building houses some exceptional medieval frescoes. Up there, at 65 metres, the marshes, the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and Dol-de-Bretagne come into view and fill you with wonder. According to legend, the battle between the Archangel Saint Michael and Satan began here; the rocks still bear the marks of the devil’s claws and backside… A few kilometres away, Dol-de-Bretagne welcomes you for lunch. A private guided tour will help you discover the treasures of this town, which has been awarded the “Petites Cités de Caractère®” and “Village Étape” labels: Saint-Samson cathedral, narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, Maison des Petits Palets, the oldest Romanesque house in Brittany… Take advantage of your free time to do some shopping in the local shops. On your way out of town, stop off at Champ Dolent to salute the largest standing menhir in Brittany. Combourg, the cradle of Romanticism, has been awarded the Petites Cités de Caractère® (Small Towns of Character) and Station Verte (Green Resort) label. Restaurant and hotel await you.

Bretagne Romantique

Day 7: Unusual visit to Combourg!

How about an unusual visit to Combourg? Choose: a “Mystère Abgrall” walk, a free, open-air XXL investigation, or a “Dans la vie de Chateaubriand” geocaching tour, following in the footsteps of the Romantic writer who spent his youth at Combourg castle. Both will help you discover the town in an original and fun way. For lunch, drive to Hédé-Bazouges, a Commune du Patrimoine Rural de Bretagne. Stroll along the towpath of the Ille-et-Rance canal, on foot or by bike. The birdsong, the boats passing through the 11 locks, the charming lock houses and the tall trees lining the canal will recharge your batteries. So is this a green diamond? The village of Tinténiac is not far away: its Sainte-Trinité church houses frescoes by the famous mosaic artist Odorico. Don’t miss the visit, before returning to Hédé-Bazouges or heading off to Combourg for dinner and your last night.