What else to do near Mont St. Michel, perhaps in Brittany?
May 29th, 2006, 05:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What else to do near Mont St. Michel, perhaps in Brittany?
We are staying outside of Bayeux and planning a trip to Mont St. Michel. I know that I want to spend some of the day there, but would love advice on other places to visit nearby, either in Normandy or Brittany (preferrably Brittany since we are spending five days in Normandy.) Also, any great restaurant recommendations in the area?
May 29th, 2006, 06:07 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to walk/rent bikes and enjoy a tiny island, go to Brehat via ferry--it can be windy, but wonderful.
THE ISLANDS OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
Batz and Bréhat
In the north of Brittany, Batz and Bréhat enjoy an exceptionally mild microclimate. The Ile de Batz, 4 km long and 1 km wide, has tropical gardens. Market gardening is carried out on the island’s some thirty or so farms, specialising in choice early vegetables. Bréhat, the “Island of Flowers” is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The tides are constantly redefining this archipelago of pink rocks, located facing the Point of Arcouest, near Paimpol. The palm trees, mimosas, eucalyptus or fig trees are evidence of the almost Mediterranean mildness of the climate.
THE ISLANDS OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
Batz and Bréhat
In the north of Brittany, Batz and Bréhat enjoy an exceptionally mild microclimate. The Ile de Batz, 4 km long and 1 km wide, has tropical gardens. Market gardening is carried out on the island’s some thirty or so farms, specialising in choice early vegetables. Bréhat, the “Island of Flowers” is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The tides are constantly redefining this archipelago of pink rocks, located facing the Point of Arcouest, near Paimpol. The palm trees, mimosas, eucalyptus or fig trees are evidence of the almost Mediterranean mildness of the climate.
May 29th, 2006, 09:16 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our family did the "Normandy" trip a few years back and it included:1 night in Honfleur/2 nights in Bayeaux doing Caen museum and beaches/1 night AT Mont St. Michel which everyone should do once in their life and then we drove over for 2 nights in St. Malo which was a delight! Please do yourself a favor and arrange a night on the mont for a magical evening without all the tourists-spend the time having a leisurely dinner and walking the ramparts with the sea air and years of history all around you. You will be most pleased with your decision!
May 29th, 2006, 10:36 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends on your interests: If you are interested in cathedrals, drive up the Cherbourg peninsula to the town of Coutances, where you can see what I think is the best Gothic cathedral in France (and I've seen more than thirty of them.) It is situated in a town square which is also of the top rank.
May 30th, 2006, 02:53 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amart - thanks for the great idea. I have looked into it and now need to factor a trip to the islands into our itinerary. Did you rent bikes when you got there or do you rent them onshore?
May 30th, 2006, 04:20 PM
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Mont St-Michel it's just a short run over to Fougères, in Brittany, where there are the well preserved remains of one of Europe's largest castles. Up north on the coast is the oyster village of Cancale; further along the coast you could visit the walled town of St-Malo and the resort town of Dinard, with a fine beach.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:51 AM
#12
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.hotel-bellevue-brehat.fr/welcome_en.html indicates they have bikes and I am sure this is the place I remember. You may want to call in advance since many people go over. I beleive this is the website with the direct crossing timetables: http://www.vedettesdebrehat.com/htgb/frameset.htm
Jun 3rd, 2006, 07:27 AM
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've posted some websites below:
I recommend Fougeres as well - great fortress, nice town.
www.ot-fougeres.fr/english.htm
Other great Brittany destinations: Dinan, Vitre and I liked St. Malo too.
Vitre: http://www.ot-vitre.fr/english/
St. Malo: www.saint-malo.fr/
Dinan: www.dinan-tourisme.com
Though I didn't make it to Dinard, it is also supposed to be quite nice.
Have fun,
Murph
I recommend Fougeres as well - great fortress, nice town.
www.ot-fougeres.fr/english.htm
Other great Brittany destinations: Dinan, Vitre and I liked St. Malo too.
Vitre: http://www.ot-vitre.fr/english/
St. Malo: www.saint-malo.fr/
Dinan: www.dinan-tourisme.com
Though I didn't make it to Dinard, it is also supposed to be quite nice.
Have fun,
Murph
