Normandy and Brittany

[Jacques Vert]

by sheer cough I'll be there on the 2 days of the highest tides of the month . I guess the best visit time is when the tide is full? Not quite perfect - 8am one day, 9am the next.

Those times sound pretty good to me. As far as the tides are concerned, the middle two hours of tide are when the tide will be falling fastest and the current will also be the fastest. At high tide the water will be relatively still and you will see the Mont as a true island. I would get there early, quickly check out the island at high tide and then head up the main street to the entrance to the abbey (and hopefully beat the crowds). On the way to the abbey, maybe make a booking for somewhere for lunch (if you leave it until lunchtime they will likely be booked out).

As you leave the abbey and head down the ramparts, there will be places to stop and view the tide running out. You'll need to allow at least half a day to visit then Mont and the medieval village at the base of the island, preferably longer. And you will need at least an hour to check-out the barrage. It's an interesting place so give yourself time to see it all properly.

If you can find somewhere to stay on the island that's within your budget, that would be excellent. Best to book early! If not, there are some nice hotels on the mainland. We stayed at an AirBnB about 20 minutes drive south.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Another thought: heading south from Carnac towards La Rochelle you could detour via the Passage du Grois which takes you to L'île du Noirmoutier. The passage is a 4 km tidal causeway that can only be crossed at or around low tide. Aim for about two hours before low tide (don't cross more than an hour after low tide). After visiting the island, you can continue south via a bridge at the southern tip of the island. Quite an experience.

 

[RooFlyer]

If you can find somewhere to stay on the island that's within your budget, that would be excellent. Best to book early! If not, there are some nice hotels on the mainland. We stayed at an AirBnB about 20 minutes drive south.

I'm looking at one place on the Mont, Le Mouton Blanc, but question lugging my checked-bag up there (comment, @ellen10 ?) as I wouldn't leave it the car and carpark. Else it'll be the Mercure 30 mins walk away from the start of the bridge (near the big car park and navette stop).

Am planning a full day there, and also a full day checking out the megaliths around Carnac (I mean, just whoha!).

Adding St Malo ...

 

[TheRealTMA]

Many thanks for all that JV



by sheer cough I'll be there on the 2 days of the highest tides of the month . I guess the best visit time is when the tide is full? Not quite perfect - 8am one day, 9am the next.

Stay overnight on the Mont. Best way to experience the town and eat one of the famous omelettes!

Omelette de la mère Poulard - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm looking at one place on the Mont, Le Mouton Blanc, but question lugging my checked-bag up there (comment, @ellen10 ?) as I wouldn't leave it the car and carpark. Else it'll be the Mercure 30 mins walk away from the start of the bridge (near the big car park and navette stop).

The Mouton Blanc is not that far up the hill; just need to drag the bag over the cobblestones. Easy for a man like you.

 

[RooFlyer]

The Mouton Blanc is not that far up the hill; just need to drag the bag over the cobblestones. Easy for a man like you.

And my sturdy TWO wheeler! Or ... I was going to spend 2 nights at/near Mt St M, with the day on the Mont. If I do 3, I can do St Malo in a day trip and do the middle night on the Mont and only need to take carry-on up the hill. Have to think more on that one. Mid June next year, so hopefully have a bit of time.

 

[Jacques Vert]

And my sturdy TWO wheeler! Or ... I was going to spend 2 nights at/near Mt St M, with the day on the Mont. If I do 3, I can do St Malo in a day trip and do the middle night on the Mont and only need to take carry-on up the hill. Have to think more on that one. Mid June next year, so hopefully have a bit of time.

Honestly, I don't think you need to worry about the bags.

 

[stm1sydney]

In northern Brittany, Dinan of course, but also Cancale for oysters on the waterfront is great, and St Malo.

In the south, Rochefort en Terre and Josselin are both amazing. And we really liked Vannes. In this area, we can highly recommend Chateau de Craon for a couple of nights.

And of course while dining in Brittany, you have to try the andouille...

 

[RooFlyer]

In northern Brittany, Dinan of course, but also Cancale for oysters on the waterfront is great, and St Malo.

In the south, Rochefort en Terre and Josselin are both amazing. And we really liked Vannes. In this area, we can highly recommend Chateau de Craon for a couple of nights.

And of course while dining in Brittany, you have to try the andouille...

Canacle and andouille noted, thanks; Dinan on the route. The chateau unfortunately the wrong way for me.

 

[ellen10]

I'm looking at one place on the Mont, Le Mouton Blanc, but question lugging my checked-bag up there (comment, @ellen10 ?) as I wouldn't leave it the car and carpark. Else it'll be the Mercure 30 mins walk away from the start of the bridge (near the big car park and navette stop).

Am planning a full day there, and also a full day checking out the megaliths around Carnac (I mean, just whoha!).

Adding St Malo ...

I honestly cannot remember difficulty in taking our bags to Le Mouton Blanc ( it was 10 years ago). As Jacques Vert said it is not too far up the Mont.
And yes we did have the famous omelettes!

The best part of staying on the island, was in the evening walking down the causeway and looking back at the Mont all lit up. And also the same view, early morning photos before the day trippers and crowds. Staying on the Mont was on my bucket list!