Private Tours NORMANDY Mont Saint Michel
Advised tours : MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
These programs are given as an example, they can be modified depending on the pick up location and on your interests.
TOUR 1 : A medieval Day
Bayeux / Mont-Saint-Michel
TOUR 2 : Mont-Saint-Michel and the « Break through » of Avranches
Mont-Saint-Michel / Avranches / Saint-Lô
TOUR 3 : Normandy and Brittany on two days
Day 1 : Bayeux / Mont-Saint-Michel / Overnight in Dinard
Day 2 : Dinan / Saint-Malo / Return to any destination (Bayeux, Rennes, Paris, Loire)
MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
Mont Saint Michel : a miracle or a mirage? A day spent there will be a day that you will never forget. Follow the legends of the rock such as the two Gods fighting to the death on the Mont-Saint-Michel and the Mont Tombe, places that have been considered sacred by the inhabitants since the third century B.C. The first sanctuary, which turned the site into a Christian place of pilgrimage, was built by Saint Aubert, bishop of Avranches in 708 A.D. This was done because the bishop had received visions from St Michael ordering him to build the sanctuary on the site, and to dedicate it to him. As the centuries went by, with increasing numbers of pilgrims coming to pay homage and leave an offering, the sanctuary grew rich and a monastery was founded. As well as this, the sanctuary was being continually expanded and made ever grander, following the different architectural styles of the times which turned the Mont Saint Michel into what it is today, an Abbey on the scale of which the world has no equal. From the ramparts of the medieval town walls, built to protect the town from invaders, you can admire the magnificent view of the bay and the surrounding salt marshes. The huge tide that used to cover the causeway leading to the island twice a day is the second highest rising tide in the world, second only to the Bay of Fundy in Canada. You can also just wander around the steep cobble stone streets of this town, exploring their narrow winding routes discovering new treasures around every corner, take a wander through the souvenir shops, try one of Mere Poulard’s famous omelettes, or, if you prefer, eat in one of the other restaurants or brasseries. With two and a half million visitors a year, Mont Saint Michel is without a shadow of a doubt Normandy’s most spectacular single spot to visit, considered by the Normans to be the Real 7th Wonder of the World !
Advised toursSAINT-MALO :
Drift back in time as you walk through the streets of the old town of Saint Malo, ringed by high fortified walls that offer spectacular views of the port and bay, still as they were when the 16th century explorers, such as Jacques Cartier who discovered Newfoundland, would have seen them. When you feel that it’s time to find something to eat, try one of the creperies, much loved by the locals, where you will find little better than the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” with a jug of cider. Or if you prefer, there are numerous seafood restaurants where you can sample what the fishermen caught that morning ?
CANCALE AND LA POINTE DU GROUIN :
Your breath will be taken away by the rocky beauty of the coastline and the charming little fishing ports dotted along the way, on this, the edge of Northern Brittany. The speciality of this region of the Cancale is its oysters, which can be tried in any of the many seafood restaurants, or the regional speciality, a “galette bretonne” accompanied by a jug of cider.
DINAN :
Raised up overlooking the valley of Rance, the rich town of Dinan dominates the fishing port to which it is connected by a cobbled road, lined with old houses and shops. The architecture of this Breton town shows that it was home to many different craftsmen such as potters, basket makers, weavers and butchers, amongst others. Like the Mont Saint Michel or Saint Malo, the town of Dinan was protected by ramparts, partly destroyed now but offering great protection to the Dukes of Brittany who ruled the region at the time. One of the unique buildings of the town is the oval keep, a defensive tower, built at the end of the 14th century and joined to the ramparts. Let the charm and beauty seduce you and spend an afternoon living in a medieval world of amazement.
AVRANCHES :
This town was made famous by the breakthrough achieved here by the Third Army of General George Patton on the 30th and 31st of July in 1944, opening the way for the allied advance to Germany. From the Jardin des Plantes in the town you can get, on a fine day, a remarkable view of the Mont Saint Michel and the bay.
BAYEUX :
Although it was the first large town liberated by the Allies in Normandy in 1944, Bayeux escaped serious damage during the Second World War, much of the delight of lovers of History. All different styles of architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance up to the modern day are represented in this town that was, until the 11th century, the capital of lower Normandy. The impressive cathedral which sits at the heart of this historic town was built between the 11th and 13th centuries under the order of Odon, bishop of Bayeux and half brother to William the Conqueror. You can’t hear of Bayeux without mention of its famous tapestry, an embroidered cloth over 200 feet long and about 18 inches high which tells the story of William the Conqueror between the years of 1064 and 1066, retracing all the events which led William, Duke of Normandy to invade England in October 1066 and depose its King, Harold, thus giving him the title William the Conqueror, King of England. Bayeux also wrote its own page in French history in June 1944 at Place du Chateau when this became the first spot visited in newly liberated France by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, who announced officially the liberation of the first French town after four long years of German occupation.
ABBAYE D’HAMBYE :
This magnificent Abbey, which is partially in ruins, is situated in the heart of the countryside and the surrounding rivers, valleys and Norman “Bocage” countryside will give you some amazing photos for your holiday album.
VILLEDIEU LES POELES :
Found on the road to Mont Saint Michel, Villedieu les Poeles became rich by the passage of pilgrims going through the town. In order to encourage the growth of this town, new craftsmen were exempt from taxes if they came to work here. This allowed the guild of copper workers to flourish here. This has continued to this day and, walking around the town, you will see shops displaying examples of the coppersmith’s handiwork. These range from pots and pans to cauldrons and milk churns. One of the last working bell foundries in France is also to be found here and is open to visitors.
SAINT-LÔ :
Heavily damaged during the battle of Normandy in July of 1944, the town of Saint Lo has managed, none the less, to preserve some of its medieval fortifications. The “Capital of Ruins” well deserves its name, as can be seen in the marks left on the Eglise Notre Dame by the fierce bombardment. The town also holds the most important horse stud in France, with over 200 thoroughbred horses.
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