Self drive: Normandy to Brittany, coastal walks, history and culture

Drive to Honfleur and leave your car. Transfer to Pennedepie, the start of the walk. You cross the Bois du Breuil with its beech, ash, oak, and fern trees. The most spectacular are the rhododendrons that colour the forest purple and mauve in May. You continue to reach the heights and the Notre Dame de Grâce Chapel where there is a beautiful viewpoint over Honfleur and the Pont de Normandie. Your destination today is Honfleur, a charming little town with its old harbour, tall, narrow houses, wooden church, and art galleries. Enjoy an afternoon exploring Honfleur.  You then drive back to your hotel.

Walk : Pennedepie > Honfleur | 2h30 | 9 km | Elevation : +130/-120m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Deauville - Trouville

This morning you set off on foot from your hotel in Trouville to reach Deauville by crossing the Touques River that separates the two towns. Explore Deauville, with its sublime half-timbered villas, luxury hotels and casino. As you climb higher, the scenery changes completely and you're now in the Normandy countryside. You discover horse farms and magnificent thatched cottages, and you will find relics of the Second World War, a military cemetery, and magnificent views of the coast. You then head back down to the sea and walk along the immense beach (3km) to the famous Deauville boardwalk, which bears the names of the American actors who took part in the town's "American film festival", like a little "Hollywood boulevard" à la française. (Swimming opportunity – life-guard present in July & August). Return on foot to your accommodation.

. You then drive with your car and bags to Bayeux ( 1h30 )
Take time to stroll through the charming medieval historic centre with its half-timbered houses which contrast with the white stone of Caen that most of the town is built from. You can visit the majestic Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the English Military Cemetery, and the Battle of Normandy Museum.  Please note that the famous Bayeux Tapestry -  listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World and which tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy - is currently on loan to the UK until July 2027. 

Walk : Loop walk Deauville | 4h15 | 13 km | Elevation : +190/-190m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Bayeux

. You drive to Grayes sur Mer (30 mins). You enjoy an easy walk that starts in the dunes by the sea then goes inland to discover the landscape and the crops with a beautiful view of the sea. Great swimming opportunities.
Walk: Loop walk Grayes | 2h30 | 8 km | +80m/ -80m

. You then continue with your car to the charming village of Arromanches (20 mins) and the D-Day landing beaches. Passing through Arromanches, you can choose to visit the 360° cinema and the D-Day Museum or you can enjoy a swim (lifeguard station only during the summer school holidays in the afternoon).
. You can then continue by car to the American cemetery (30 mins), next to Omaha beach
Take the time for an emotional stroll between the white tombs overlooking the sea in this place that today is so peaceful and that was once a terrible battlefield. You can walk down to Omaha Beach (with the possibility of a swim).

. You then leave the Bayeux and head to the Mont Saint Michel (1h30)

Meals included: breakfast
Night: Not included : upon request – if you would like to stay 2-nights at the Mont Saint Michel, please contact us for our hotel selection and useful tips to facilitate your arrival. 

You leave your hotel on foot and follow the cycling-walking path to reach the Mont Saint Michel, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The sands, the grasslands, the sea, and the sky share the horizon. The light plays with the elements in a changing landscape where the Mont Saint-Michel is reflected onto the glistening damp sand. Upon arrival, you are instantly immersed in a magical and timeless atmosphere in the heart of the charming alleys of the Mont Saint Michel, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. You climb the 350 steps that lead to the Abbey. At the top, an exceptional panorama over the bay of Mont Saint Michel. 

. Allow 1 hour for the round-trip walk to Mont Saint-Michel, plus at least 1 hour to tour the abbey, plus some time to stroll around and explore the ramparts

 Walk : Free day to visit the Mont Saint Michel bay | 2h30 | 9 km | Elevation : +130/-120m
Optional : 
. Bike rental for 1 day, an ideal way to discover the Mont saint Michel bay !
. Private & non-private guided foot crossing in the bay of Mont Saint Michel
Meals included : breakfast
Night: Not included : upon request – in the Mont Saint Michel Bay 

Today you head by car to Saint Malo in Brittany (50 mins). But first, you can chose to go to Dinan and enjoy an loop walk around the charming town, with its castle and ramparts that once fortified the town, the Abbey dedicated to St Magloire in the small hamlet of Lehon, the Basilica of St Sauveur. A pleasant walk along the River Rance and through the quaint narrow streets with shops and art galleries.
Walk: Dinan > Lehon Abbaye > Dinan | 2h30 | 8 km | 160m / -160m

Alternatively, you can head straight to Saint Malo, leave your luggage at the hotel and head off to explore Dinard. You take a boat from Saint Malo to Dinard (15 mins). This hike along the Rance Estuary, between the seaside resort of Dinard and the fortified city of Saint-Malo, allows you to discover Dinard’s beautiful villas and the charming coves along the Rance shoreline. In Dinard, you can admire magnificent cliffside villas. The trail takes you from one cove to another. After crossing the dam, you follow the banks of the Rance through pine woods until you reach Saint-Malo.
Walk: Dinard > Saint Malo | 4h | 12 km | 150m / -150m

Meals included: breakfast
Night: Saint Malo

You drive to Cancale (20 mins), and leave the car there. You have a meeting for short taxi transfer to the pointe du Grouin, start of your walk.  This rocky headland is a magnificent viewpoint exposed to the sea winds. Breathtakingly beautiful, the site offers one of the widest panoramas on the Brittany coast.
The "Sentier des Douaniers" -  Brittany’s famous coastal path - offers a succession of stunning panoramas as it winds across slopes covered in lichens and wildflowers. From the rocky headland of Pointe du Grouin, enjoy breathtaking views across the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel and out to sea. Shimmering in the changing tides, Mont Saint-Michel appears on the horizon like a magical mirage.From Pointe du Hoc, the view stretches out towards the rocky islet off Cancale. The trail alternates between secluded coves and hidden anchorages. With its wonderfully indented coastline, there is always a sheltered beach nearby, perfect for a refreshing swim. Once in Cancale, you enjoy some local oysters by the beach, or a nice lunch in a restaurant.
You drive back to Saint Malo.

Walk : Pointe du Grouin > Cancale | 3h | 9km | Elevation gain : + 150 m /- 160 m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Saint Malo

We highly recommend you add some extra nights to enjoy Saint Malo & its beaches !