The Normandy is famous for the steep coast and endless golden sandy beaches. The inland with historic villages, abbeys and marvellous castles are inspiring contrasts. Visit the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, protected under UNESCO Heritage, the natural and historic border between the Normandy and Bretagne. Mont Saint-Michel is famous for the impressive Benedictine monastery, target of pilgrims from all over the world.
Details of the moderate walking holiday Normandy & Jersey
Wonderful stretches of coast, quiet hiking routes, idyllic beaches and typical harbour towns await you on this hiking holiday in France. Right at the beginning of the hiking holiday, the route leads you to the well-known Benedictine Abbey of Mont Saint Michel – a real highlight and popular photo opportunity. The following daily stages lead to the municipality of Dolde-Bretagne and on to the oyster capital of Cancale. After a wonderful circular hike around Cancale and a stage from Cancale to St. Malo, you will complete this varied hiking holiday in France.
Highlights of the seven-day hiking holiday Normandy & Jersey
UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel: A special highlight awaits you at the start of your active holiday – the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. The St. Michael’s chapel is located on a rocky island and is a frequently visited place of pilgrimage in France.
The pleasure of France: Enjoy the savoir-vivre of the French with a glass of wine and wonderful, freshly caught delicacies from the sea.
Coastal hikes in the pleasant Atlantic air: Not only picturesque coastal hikes await you on this moderate walking tour. In fact, you will be accompanied every day by the soothing sea air. Ideal conditions to really switch off and recharge your batteries.
Worth knowing about the hiking holiday “Normandy & Jersey”
This seven-day hiking holiday in France is assigned our hiking type of “moderate walking”. The route is easy and the hiking trails are well-developed. Nevertheless, we recommend sure-footedness in some places for the coastal hikes.
More holiday options and inspiration for island hiking with Eurohike.
Walk along the Cousnon river to the bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Cross pretty villages and visit a mill. Mont Saint-Michel is a fortified village situated on an island. On the top of a rock escarpment a monastery inhabited by a dozen monks is situated. You stay overnight on the mainland and can enjoy the special view over the Mont-Saint-Michel.
After crossing the marshes west of Couesnon river you leave the Normandy for the Bretagne. You walk through green undulating landscape, dotted with little houses and grazing cattle to the pretty villages Roz-sur-Couesnon and Sainte-Broladre. You will spend the night on the mainland. The half timbered houses belong to the best maintained examples of the Bretagne.
The first interesting point of today is Mont-Dol with beautiful old church. Then you follow an oyster-park for several kilometres. The last kilometers to Cancale offer superb views across the bay. You stay overnight in a hotel on the port. Cancale enjoys the reputation of being the capital of oyster, „Huîtres“. It is said that the local oysters are the best and freshest – judge for yourself.
Today you will hike to the impressive headland Pointe Du Grouin. With a bit of luck, you can observe seals and dolphins there. On the way, take a look at Île des Landes, a small, barren island (now a bird sanctuary). Passing the lighthouse, you will reach Îles Chausey, Europe's largest archipelago and a very special highlight. Arriving in the historic aerial resort of Granville on the Normandy coast, an enchanting harbor awaits you; on a clear day you can even enjoy the view of the outline of Mont Saint-Michel in the distance.
In the morning transfer to the start of the hike. You can decide where to start your hike to St. Malo. The route takes you along the GR34, accompanied by the sound of the sea in a beautiful landscape to your today's stage destination. You will have many opportunities to take a break for a swim on beautiful beaches. Behind Rothéneuf you can already see Saint-Malo in the distance.
approx. 2.5 - 5 hours
10 - 20 km
Day
7
Departure or extension
Characteristics of the route
Easy walking tours along the coast. Some stages require sure footedness. Walking distances in Jersey can be shortened by public transport. Scenic tour!
Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person, excl. days with ferry transfer)
Transfers according to the program
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
Service hotline
Optional extras:
Retourn transfer from Saint-Malo to Pontorson, price per fare EUR 140 (Sundays and holidays EUR 170), reservation required, payable in advance.
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Airport Paris and by train to Pontorson in approx. 3.5 to 4 hours.
Parking: Limited number of hotel parking spaces, cost EUR 6 per night. Reservation necessary in advance, payable on site. Free, unguarded public parking spaces near the hotel, no reservation necessary.
Return journey from Saint-Malo to Pontorson by train, approx. 1.5 hours (www.ter.sncf.com/bretagne).
Please note that a valid passport is required for this trip.
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Cab rides St. Malo - St. Malo harbor and back, approx. € 15,- per ride
Bus rides Jersey harbor - Gorey and back, approx. € 5 per person
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!