bike mont saint michel

Mont Saint-Michel by bike

Arriving to Mont Saint-Michel by bike is an experience that you should try! It is quite difficult if it is windy but if you are in shape, you will probably love this ride! (video of this ride)

Firstly, the departure is from Edd hostel in Dol de Bretagne, you will need a 2h30-3h00 ride to reach the Mont Saint Michel. A flat, safe & wonderful cycling path will get you there: it is called the Voie Verte. Voie verte is really well indicated and there is a sign at every intersection, so it’s not possible to get lost (if not-keep straight!). I recommend to take the full day for this activity and stop on the way to admire the different landscapes.

You have 2 different options to cycle to MSM.

The shortest one is Dol / Cherrueix/ Mont Saint Michel. You will find the details of the 1st path here. It takes one hour to ride from Edd Hostel to Cherrueix. Then, you will need like 1h15 to arrive to the Mount. You will find the beginning of this route at the crossroad Rue de Paris / Chemin de la Neuve

You also have a longest path that we are going to explain here. This ride will take a bit less than 3h.

 

Dol – Vivier Sur Mer : 1h05

Vivier Sur Mer – Mont Saint-Michel : 1h50

 

 

 

 

Mont Dol

 

To start the journey, go to Rue Des Muret, close to the cathedral to find the beginning of the road Voie Verte. After it is really easy just follow the bilboards.

Lots of legends around the Mont Dol, some about Gargantua others about Merlin the Magician. From the top of the Mont Dol (to reach by foot from the village center) you will have a nice view on the surrounding area and on the bay from Cancale to the Mont Saint Michel. We advise you not to climb this time (maybe tomorrow!) because it is already a big journey that is waiting for you. Moreover the Voie Verte is turning left just before the village to cross de D155 and then ride between fields.

 

Vivier Sur Mer

 

Follow the Voie Verte (Vv) signs and ride across corn fields and along the Couesnon river to rich your second stop: Vivier Sur Mer. There, you will discover the mussels and oysters fields that are typical of the Mont Saint Michel Bay. For several km you will cycle along the bay, seeing your point of arrival from far. If you are lucky, you will see the famous sheeps of the Mont St Michel.

 

Saint-Anne Chapel

 

saint-anne

 

After crossing Vivier Sur Mer village, stop to the Chapel Saint Anne, along the bay. It is one of my favourite place on the bay. This cute little chapel is litteraly on the sandy Bay of Mont Saint Michel!

You are already almost half way! Keep cycling on the Voie Verte, under the trees, in the middle of farms and along the Bay. More and more you see closer the magnificient Mont Saint Michel. It is a real pleasure to get closer …

On the way, do not forget to hydrate yourself because it is a long ride to get arrive to Mont Saint-Michel by bike. I advise to take a lunch break before getting to close from the Mont Saint-Michel. Find a spot where you will be the only one having this view!

 

Final

 

vel

 

Now the Voie Verte sign indicates Pontorson or the Mont Saint-Michel. You are almost there! You should ride until the cycle parking before the final bridge. It is not allowed to park just at the door of the village.
This means you will finish your adventure by walk but your legs will be happy!

It is the beginning of the afternoon and you can visit the Unesco site at your pace.

To return you can call a Allo Taxi or you can cycle back but this time take the shortest road Mont- Cherrueix – Dol. in Cherrueix, you will find the cycling road to Dol just behind the cathedral.

 

 

 

 

How to get there: Bike 30 km from Dol de Bretagne. 2h30. Departure: 1st right after the Cathedral (rue des murets). Follow the Voie Verte green signs on the way: Mont Dol/Vivier Sur Mer/ Cherrueix/ Mont Saint-Michel. To go back to Edd hostel: ride once again the same path!

Where to eat: You will find different restaurant in Vivier sur Mer & Cherrueix and 1 small supermarket.. One nice restaurant in Cherrueix with a view on the bay and a terasse (good for a drink on the way back!). The other option would be to take a sandwich in your backpack and stop where the wind brings you 😉

How much: Rent a bike in Dol (Romé shop is closed on Sunday & Monday), buy a sandwich in a french bakery (4€), free entrance to the village of Mont-Saint-Michel, visit of the Abbey (11€)

 

USEFUL LINK:

Voie verte, click here!

If you prefer the bus to Mont Saint-Michel check our blog.

My rate: 5/5

Tags: , ,

In: ,

Back

2 Comments

Add your comment >
  • Shuwen  - 

    Just booked my accomodation at Edd Hostel and I’m super excited to read about cycling to Mont St Michel! Few questions:

    1. Are there bicycle rentals at Edd Hostel
    2. And if I’m super knackered after the ride to Mont St Michel, are bicycles allowed on the bus back to Edd?

    Looking forward to your reply! Thank you so much for this post.

    • Mr Explore  - 

      Bonjour,
      we are happy to see you soon. WE do not rent directly byclicle but there is a bike rental shop 5mins walk away from the hostel.
      We can manage booking for you! (they are closed on sunday)

      Unfortunalty bikes are accepted in trains in Britanny but not in that bus, sorry.. you would have to ride back. But you can also rent an electric bike if it is more convenient for you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.