From Rennes ride through romantic Brittany along the Mont St Michel Bay. This journey takes you through some of the most beautiful cities in Brittany and to an exceptional site labeled part of the World’s heritage by UNESCO. This historical and architectural pilgrimage offers variety and many surpises along the way, as for example the Rance canal which guides you onto a calm, flat, and pleasant route to Dinan, an authentic medieval city in which you will enjoy exploring the old town. The greenway from Taden to Dinard takes you to the seafront by an old railway track. With its 19th century villas, the seaside resort has kept its charm. The Tour de Manche and its dedicated cycling routes greenways offer a beautiful crossing of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay, between land and sea. Cancale is a gourmet halt before the Mont-Saint-Michel. The oyster farmers prepare and serve them directly on the port. An experience you wouldn’t want to miss!
Day 1: arrival in Rennes
Arrival in Rennes on your own. Welcome to the Breton capital! Rennes offers many surprises and you will soon be conquered by this city that combines wonderfully historic and modern architecture. Passionate about contemporary art and gastronomy, proud of its history and its identity, discover a welcoming and warm city.
Day 2: Rennes > Hédé-Bazouges, ~44 km
You descend on the first lock of the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance as your journey on the towpath begins. Under the trees and on a pleasantly surfaced lane, you enjoy a flat route in the middle of a hilly landscape. After passing some villages, you arrive on the basin of Bazouges. It’s made up of a water reserve that feeds the canal. The site of the eleven locks resembles a water staircase. It allows for 27 meters of difference in level. It’s a especially superb site thanks to the close succession of the flower covered locks in a beautiful alignment. If a boat comes through, you can see the lock keepers at work!
Day3: Hédé-Bazouges > Dinan, ~41 km
From the top of the village of Hédé, you will descend on the “11 locks”. You will continue your journey on the towpath. In Tinténiac, in an old lock house, a museum will tell you the story of ancient crafts. Your path will continue in the middle of the wooded nature. At Pleugueneuc, you can reach the castle of Bourbansais. The zoo will delight young and old in this historic space. You will then reach Evran where the Ille and Rance rivers come together to join the sea. Before the last effort to arrive in Dinan, located on an imposing rocky outcrop, you will cross Léhon, one of the most beautiful small towns of character in Brittany. All the houses are beautiful. You will experience an old atmosphere that is at the same time lively and warm. You will enter Dinan by the port. Enjoy the site before climbing up the historic center of one of the most beautiful medieval towns of Brittany. It holds incredible architectural treasures.
Day 4: Dinan > Saint-Malo, ~27 km
You descend in the Dinan harbor and continue your tour on the towpath. Nevertheless, this path does not take you to Saint-Malo. After a few kilometers you have to leave the canal to join a beautiful green path built on an old railway line. This path along the Breton countryside leads you to Dinard. At your arrival on this seaside resort of the 19th century, a stop is needed to discover the beautiful villas and enjoy an ice cream in front of the beach! Then embark on a small cruise to cross the river mouth of the Rance (which comes from the Canal that you have previously traveled from Rennes). You reach Saint-Malo by boat as did Surcouf and Cartier, navigators and famous corsairs of the city.
Day 5: Saint-Malo > Cancale, ~26 km
You leave the Corsair city in the morning to reach the port of Cancale. Enjoy a 26 km bike ride through countryside and seaside. Along the way some Malouinières enrich the landscape. They are beautiful 17th and 18th century houses of ship owners in Saint Malo. In the evening, park your bike on the waterfront and taste some famous oysters.
Day 6: Cancale > Mont-Saint-Michel, ~48 km
You head toward one of the architectural wonders of the world, riding on a mix of country roads and more important routes along the sea. After Cancale the route is flat. You can easily ride 50km without during the day. Halfway through you reach the Mont-Dol, a strange rock in the middle of the marsh land, which is an ideal spot for lunch. After the break, you still have a few kilometers to go through the salted marshland. You are at the foot of the Mont Saint-Michel. One last effort, on foot this time, to reach the top and its famous abbey.
Day 7: Loop tour ~35 km and departure
Today, take height to appreciate the grandeur of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. On the small Norman roads, the path takes you to Roche Torin. You have then descended to the sea level. A peculiar atmosphere emerges from this place, mystical at times, with an advantaged view of the Mont Saint Michel.
