Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 3
175 mi0.2 mi
Exploring Normandy: Mont Saint-Michel and Caen's Historic Abbeys
The third-day itinerary starts with the beautiful bay of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, famous for its very high tides and the majestic Abbey atop the mount. Here, you will also try the traditional galette bretonne in a quaint spot in the centre of Mont Saint-Michel.
Leaving the coast and heading to the mainland, the city of Caen awaits you. You can visit its beautiful abbeys, one for men and the other for women, where William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda stayed.
Before heading to Paris, make another quick stop for dinner in a lovely old manor and farm in the countryside of Val de Reuil, whose cuisine will surprise you.
Leaving the coast and heading to the mainland, the city of Caen awaits you. You can visit its beautiful abbeys, one for men and the other for women, where William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda stayed.
Before heading to Paris, make another quick stop for dinner in a lovely old manor and farm in the countryside of Val de Reuil, whose cuisine will surprise you.
0.7 mi
5 min
09:0015 min
Tourist Information Centre (Mont Saint-Michel)
Welcome to Mont Saint-Michel! Before setting off to explore the mount and the Abbey, park your car in the lot 2.5 kilometres away. From the Tourist Information Centre, the free shuttle 'Passeur' will take you to the base in about 15 minutes.
3.4 mi
20 min
09:451 hr
Mont Saint-Michel and Its Bay
The bay of Mont Saint-Michel, another gem of France, is part of UNESCO World Heritage and features the most unusual landscape in this area. Famed for experiencing Europe's highest tides, this destination is a spectacular spot to witness this natural phenomenon.
In the past, the massive tides prevented pilgrims from accessing the Abbey until the first dam was built in the 11th century, and another one was erected on pillars in the 1980s. Today, you can visit the bay during both low and high tide, experiencing very different landscapes.
In the past, the massive tides prevented pilgrims from accessing the Abbey until the first dam was built in the 11th century, and another one was erected on pillars in the 1980s. Today, you can visit the bay during both low and high tide, experiencing very different landscapes.
0.1 mi
5 min
11:001 hr 30 min
Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is the most visited site in France and, as mentioned before, was also a pilgrimage destination for many in the past. Initially, it was the home of a Celtic tribe who used the rock for worship, until the arrival of Christianity with a first oratory dedicated to Saint Stephen midway up the cliff.
Today, the majestic building overlooking the bay is a testament to various architectural, historical, and religious moments, and access is no longer dictated by nature's course. The Abbey is open all year, during low and high tide, with opening hours varying by season.
Today, the majestic building overlooking the bay is a testament to various architectural, historical, and religious moments, and access is no longer dictated by nature's course. The Abbey is open all year, during low and high tide, with opening hours varying by season.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:451 hr
Crêperie La Sirène
You can't conclude your visit to Mont Saint-Michel without trying the famous galette bretonne. An original dish from Brittany, similar to a crêpe, it is made solely with buckwheat flour and no eggs and is served only with savoury fillings.
Please note that the opening hours vary seasonally.
Please note that the opening hours vary seasonally.
82.5 mi
1 hr 40 min
16:0045 min
Abbey of the Holy Trinity (Ladies' Abbey)
Continuing the journey, the itinerary includes a stop in Caen, an ancient city in Normandy's Calvados district. Its history likely traces back to Gallo-Roman times, with the presence of a fortified village that flourished under William the Conqueror's reign.
The Ladies' Abbey, a penance monument erected by William I and his wife Matilda of Flanders, dates back to around 1060, with construction ending in 1130.
To schedule a guided visit and learn more about its history, please visit the official website.
The Ladies' Abbey, a penance monument erected by William I and his wife Matilda of Flanders, dates back to around 1060, with construction ending in 1130.
To schedule a guided visit and learn more about its history, please visit the official website.
1.4 mi
10 min
17:0045 min
Abbey of Saint-Étienne (Men's Abbey)
This is the other major architectural complex of Caen. The Men's Abbey, like the Ladies' Abbey, was built by William I as an act of penance imposed by the Pope due to his marriage to his cousin Matilda of Flanders.
The Pope prohibited this marriage because of their close kinship, but to enhance the power of two major districts of France, William I still chose to marry Matilda. Over the years, it faced numerous threats and renovations, and today it serves as the town hall.
The Pope prohibited this marriage because of their close kinship, but to enhance the power of two major districts of France, William I still chose to marry Matilda. Over the years, it faced numerous threats and renovations, and today it serves as the town hall.
7 mi
15 min
18:0030 min
Charging Station: IONITY
On the way to Paris, stop at this fast electric station to recharge your car and continue onwards for a delicious dinner. If you're hungry, there are a few snack bars nearby.
Type: CCS/SAE
5 stations, 5 plugs
Power: 50-350 kW
79.9 mi
1 hr 20 min
20:001 hr
La Ferme de la Haute Crémonville
Enjoy a lovely dinner in a bucolic setting in the countryside of Val de Reuil. This is La Ferme de la Haute Crémonville, a restaurant-farm in an ancient renovated manor with a fireplace and an outside terrace. The restaurant offers simple, traditional, and refined cuisine with local products and grandmother's dessert recipes.