The Bay of Mont Saint Michel, Breton side

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Although Mont Saint-Michel is in Normandy, its Bay runs along the coast of Brittany… This spectacular bay with the majestic islet as its focal point is a truly enchanting place !

High tides and gastronomy

Incredible, ever-changing light plays on the jumbled landscape of sands, polders, meadows, sea and sky stretching as far as the eye can see to make every visit a unique, unforgettable experience. The Bay has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, emphasising the «unprecedented alliance between the natural site and the architecture». It is also the theatre of the biggest tides of mainland Europe with a tidal reach of up to 14 metres. The phenomenon metamorphoses the panorama : the Mont becomes an island once more when the tidal coefficients are greater than 110 and time stands still for a few hours until the waters recede.

Delicious delights for discerning palates :

This unique maritime environment has become the centre for mussel farming using the ‘bouchot’ technique introduced in 1954 and Vivier-sur-Mer is now the leading mussel port of France. In 2006 ""Moules de Bouchot de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel"" were the first seafood to be awarded AOC status which became AOP in 2011 (P.D.O. Protected Designation of Origin). Mussel connoisseurs love the creamy, soft, melt-in-the-mouth flesh which should be consumed without moderation between July and February ! To learn about mussel-farming and all the secrets of the Bay, the Maison de la Baie in Vivier-sur-Mer has a permanent exhibition and also runs discovery walks and trips aboard the Mytili-mobile. Mussels are not the only products of the Bay to have PDO status : in 2009 saltmarsh lamb from the « Prés-Salés du Mont-Saint-Michel » were also awarded this recognition which unites farmers who respect a natural way of farming.

The wind in your sails :

The beaches on the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel stretch as far as the eye can see and the big tides uncover kilometre upon kilometre of sands. Plenty of space and plenty of wind led the sport of sand-yachting to make its capital here at Cherrueix, a little village which has achieved world-wide fame ! The magnificent site has ideal conditions for this incredible outdoor sport every day and all year round. Cherrueix even hosted the World Championships in 2012. What is fantastic about this sport is that it’s easy to learn and is a thrilling experience right from the start ! Two-seater sand-yachts mean that children aged 8 and over can discover the activity in complete safety.

Secret places to discover :

One of the special local activities to do with family or friends is collecting and digging for shellfish, especially during the big tides ! The Bay has some little gems to discover, but there also places to avoid. You need to follow advice to make sure your trip is a success : know where to go (and where not to go…), when to go, how to respect nature, know what you can take and how to deal with it when you get home ! There are plenty of people to advise you or even accompany you on this unique experience !

How and when to get to the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Brittany side

The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on the Brittany side extends from the Couesnon to the Pointe du Grouin at Cancale.

At the heart of the Bay, the villages of Cherrueix and Vivier-sur-Mer are on the coast and easily accessible along the lovely coastal tourist route from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Malo. The Bay is a wonderful place to explore at any time of year and is even more impressive during the spectacular Spring Tides. "