This vast baie, stretching from Saint Malo heading east/northeast to the Abbey a beyond, offers a wealth of cultural experiences — so prepare to be satiated.
From gastronomy to the D-Day Beaches, chateaux to UNESCO World Heritage sites, include these 10 BEST for your lifetime memories.
*THE ABBEY OF MONT SAINT MICHEL
Sitting in the vast Baie of Mont St Michel, within the massive body of water that is the English Channel, the Abbey itself receives a staggering +3 million visitors annually from all over the world.
Built given a vision of Saint Aubert in the year 708, this astounding architectural wonder defies gravity.
Center stage in this heavily agricultural region, the Abbey is the end point of flow for rive Couesnon, the dividing line between Normandy and Brittany, with Pontorson the gateway town.
Whether you're staying on 'the rock' itself to experience the mystical high tides (an event that happens a few times a year), or staying nearby to savor all the baie has to offer, you'll meet people who come here for a thousand reasons, from fulfilling a long-held dream to pilgrimage, to history & architectural buffs to bucket list travelers.
Spend your time at the Abbey both outside — and in.
The ancient cobblestone path from the drawbridge entry to the top of the Mont winds steadily upward through merchant shops, restaurants and hotels, to the pinnacle point en haut — itself offering stunning 360 views of the French coastline.
It sounds odd, but the more time you take to walkabout; to find the nooks and crannies, or sunbath on the rocks or explore the tiny walkways and tucked-in medieval homes, the more familiar it feels — just like a good friend you want to spend quality time with.
You could station right on the rock for your entire time in Normandy/Brittany to really get to know her inside and out.
L'eglise (the church) crowns the top. If you arrive over a weekend, consider a vaulted experience with the Benedictines singing High Mass a capella on Sundays.
It is unearthly.
In the summer seasons, there are evening concerts and light shows on le Mont.
You'll find all current events taking place at the Office of Tourism in Pontorson.
NOTE: There are fees, from parking to Abbey entrance — be sure to check with the Office of Tourism in Pontorson as you plan your trip.
*PILGRIMAGE WALK
Hugely popular is a pilgrimage walk across the sands. As tidal currents and quicksands abound, it's best to leave the danger afoot to a knowledgeable guide. In fact, it's necessary.
*PARAGLIDING
Not for the faint of heart, a breathtaking view of the entire bay is yours from on high, including the Abbey, and, it is … well … it's magnificent. Check it out, and book through this site.
*D-DAY BEACHES
You're a 1.5 hour drive away from the Normandy D-Day Beaches where a whole day is not ever enough time to take in the turning tides of history. If you plan ahead with a guide and pace yourselves to a half or whole day tour, you'll reap the most from your time here.
There are a number of tour guides who are passionate history/war buffs, and excellent at filling in the details to completely immerse you.
*BAYEUX TAPESTRY (10+1)
En route to the Normandy Beaches, is the town of Bayeux, home to the historic Bayeux Tapestry.
While it is on loan to the UK through 2027 as the museum goes through renovation, (you can access the history of the Tapestry in digital format), the town itself is charming.
Perhaps stop here for lunch and meander the ancient streets, en route to the Landing Beaches — or, consider staying overnight nearby in a chateau setting.
*FRENCH MARKETS
You'll feel like a local spending your morning at the market.
Take a step back in time to wander the cobbled streets and medieval buildings of Avranches' Saturday market. If you are here for a longer stay in a vacation home (gite), you'll find everything you need to stock your kitchen for the week fresh from the farms and fields. Bring a basket to fill, and a few extra euros to sit outside in the sun enjoying a croissant and café.
While in Avranches, check out the Scriptorial Museum which houses the remaining ancient manuscripts of the monks who once were resident at the Abbey. These are a thousand years old.
In Pontorson, the gateway to Mont St Michel, market day is Wednesday. A bustling, modern town, you'll find everything you need and then some, at your fingertips. Further afield in the capital of Brittany, Rennes provides one of the most acclaimed marchés in the region on Saturdays.
*CHATEAUX
Not to be dismissed, chateaux accommodations could be one of the highlights of your time in this area. They are 'just tucked' out of sight in most cases, with glorious gardens. Offering generous breakfast buffets, some also offer in-house evening dining.
*FLEA MARKETS (VIDE GRENIER)
The French village flea markets start late spring and run through October. You can find them online by department (you'll be in le departement 35 or 50, primarily, as you straddle the Normandy/Brittany line).
It's also great fun to find one spontaneously when out and about; the ubiquitous neon sign at the side of the road tells you where and when. Treasures galore are set out on clapboard tables when the locals 'empty their attics'.
*BRITTANY: DINAN
Going west along the baie coastline from the Abbey, is the wealth of Brittany. An hour's drive will find you in the medieval small city of Dinan sitting on the River Rance (rive Rance). A walkabout centre ville is full of charming medieval structures, shops and restaurants and down the hill will land you at the picturesque marina lined with cafés to soak up the afternoon sun.
*BRITTANY: CANCALE
You can hug the shore heading west, to the small, ancient village of Cancale. It is a great stopping point for lunch if you're heading to Saint Malo, which is just beyond. At the far end of the port you'll find an old boat ramp where fishermen sell fresh oysters.
Grab a bottle of chilled white, a baguette, and sit on the dock shucking your own. Or, select a restaurant on the shoreline for your favorite seafood delicacy.
*BRITTANY: SAINT MALO
The fortressed city of Saint Malo is the backdrop for the bestselling novel, All the Light You Cannot See. Completely destroyed in WWII, you wouldn't know it now. It's as old as it was.
Find your way to 'intramuros' (inside the walls) to walk the seafront promenade. Down below the fortress wall, you'll discover it's possible to take a swim on the beach in an enclosed breaker area of the baie.
Within the maze of cobblestone streets are boutique shops with the finest goods, crêperies, brasseries, bars — it's all there. If it's winter? Cozy-on-up by a Breton fire with a long, slow dining experience. It's all there in Saint Malo.