The best walks and hikes around Tanis

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-famous rocky island and commune on the border between Normandy and Brittany in France. Crowned by a monumental, medieval Benedictine abbey, this architectural marvel has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. The bay of the mount is also known for Europe's strongest tides, with a tidal range of up to 14 meters.

You have to experience Mont Saint-Michel at least once. Unfortunately, the parking fees are outrageous! 3 hours parking = €20 On the other hand, the shuttle bus for the approx. 2.5 km distance is free. But when you're already here, ....?

The footpath along the Couesnon to the dam already offers an impressive view of Mont-Saint-Michel. From here, the path with an unobstructed view leads across the salt marshes and the bay, with the landmark of Normandy impressively rising against the wide landscape. Especially in calm weather and with changing light, atmospheric views emerge of Mont-Saint-Michel, the course of the Couesnon river, and the tide-shaped surroundings.

The Couesnon dam (Barrage du Couesnon) was completed in 2009 and is part of the measures to preserve the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. The facility regulates the water flow of the Couesnon and supports the natural removal of sediments by the tides. This is intended to counteract the increasing silting up of the bay and preserve the special character of Mont-Saint-Michel as a tidal island. The dam also offers a popular viewpoint with a view of Mont-Saint-Michel and the surrounding salt marshes.

On the vast salt marshes of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay, sheep graze, making a significant contribution to the maintenance of this unique landscape. Suffolk rams are often used for breeding the salt marsh lambs. This robust meat sheep breed is easily recognizable by its black head and black legs. The animals feed on salt-tolerant plants such as glasswort and cordgrass, which gives the meat of the regionally known salt marsh lambs its special flavor. At the same time, grazing helps to preserve the species-rich salt marshes.

The salt marsh path (* public access is via an unlocked gate) leads through the expansive landscape of the bay and offers a particularly impressive way to experience the famous Klosterberg from a quieter perspective. The paths run through the prés-salés (salt marshes) shaped by the tides, which are crisscrossed by numerous tidal creeks. These small watercourses regularly change their appearance with ebb and flow, creating popular photo opportunities together with the grassy areas and reflections.

Numerous tidal creeks crisscross the meadows, channeling seawater through the vast area at low and high tide. These small watercourses, with their reflections and wide grassy areas, also form a popular photo spot and offer impressive motifs, especially with Mont-Saint-Michel in the background.

Numerous inlets criss-cross the meadows and channel seawater through the vast terrain at low and high tide. These small watercourses with their reflections and the wide grassy areas also form a popular photo spot and offer impressive motifs, especially with Mont-Saint-Michel in the background.