For pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3, we offer walks starting from Mont Saint Michel, without crossing any rivers for safety reasons.
For pupils in Years 5 and 6, it is possible to make the entire crossing during periods of low tide.
For these walks and crossings, two options are available:
→ The ‘Traditional’ crossing, which is guided but without commentary, allows you to discover the immensity of the beaches, walk on the sand and get close to the quicksand.
→ The guided ‘Discover the Bay’ tour includes commentary. In addition to exploring the beaches, the guide will tell you about the history of the bay, its flora and fauna, traditional activities, and more.
Themed outings are also available if you wish to focus on a particular subject.
Exploration outing to discover the sandy foreshore and salt marshes through a hands-on exploration activity.
Sensory games
Observation, collection and identification activities
Use of tide charts or tide tables (cycle III)
Searching for signs of animal presence
Sites: Bec d’Andaine, Saint-Jean le Thomas
Saint-Léonard, Mont-Saint-Michel
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours
Field trip with specialised content to illustrate basic geography and geology concepts according to the pupils’ level (Year 5 or Year 6) and the teacher’s wishes.
Map reading and orientation
Using a tide table
Reading the landscape
Observing rocks and sediments.
Sites: Saint-Jean-le-Thomas, Bec d’Andaine, Saint-Léonard.
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours
Outing to compare and characterise the two most common types of coastline.
Observation of the morphology and nature of the environments, action of the elements.
Observation and identification of specific flora and fauna, as well as seaweed.
Locations: Saint-Jean-le-Thomas, Carolles.
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours
Loop observation outing along the coastline and salt marshes.
Landscape, soil and animal tracks.
Vegetation, birdlife, grazing sheep.
Formation of this specific environment.
Development work on the bay and the surroundings of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Sites: Bec d’Andaine, Saint-Léonard, Mont-Saint-Michel.
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours.
A visit to the village is particularly recommended to illustrate the medieval part of the history course and understand how the village was organised by adapting to the site and historical events.
Two options are available:
Guided tour with commentary
Team treasure hunt
Location: Mont-Saint-Michel
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Outing to discover the various human activities on the shores.
Technical, economic, social and historical aspects.
Adaptation to the environment and the tides.
Demonstration of how to set traditional shore fishing equipment.
Location: Saint-Léonard or Bec d’Andaine.
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours.
Boat trip from Granville, tour of the island with discovery of the fauna and flora, history and human activities.
Historical, social and economic aspects.
Fauna and flora.
Adaptation to the environment and the tides.
Location: Departure from Granville by boat.
Duration: 6 hours (including boat trip).
During this outing, pupils will learn about respecting the natural environment through an excursion to the bay.
Recognising man-made waste washed up on the shore.
Understanding the impact of waste and how it degrades.
Learning how to use the coastline sustainably.
Location: Saint Jean le Thomas, Bec d’Andaine.
Duration: 2 hours.
For all levels, guided tour of the Bay Ecomuseum, presenting the formation of the Bay and the phenomenon of the tides, as well as the fauna, flora and human activities. Landscape reading from the observatory. Optional short outing in the surrounding area.
Location: Saint-Léonard in Vains
Duration: 2 to 2½ hours
Excursion to discover the different ports (commercial, passenger, fishing, recreational), facilities, boats and equipment. Special features related to the tide
Location: Port of Granville
Duration: 2 hours
This day trip, combining a tour and an outing, allows you to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the bay, as well as the architecture and civil, military and religious history of Mont Saint Michel.
Morning or afternoon
Guided tour or treasure hunt in the medieval village to learn about its layout, architecture and history through the ages.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Afternoon or morning
Guided tour of the beaches between Genêts, Saint-Léonard and Mont-Saint-Michel, or guided loop tour between Mont Saint-Michel and Tombelaine.
Duration: 2½ to 3½ hours depending on the route and tide.
A visit to the Ecomuseum and an outing or crossing reveal the various aspects (technical, economic, social, historical) of traditional activities, past and present, carried out on the coastline or foreshore.
Morning or afternoon
Visit to the Baie de Vains Saint Léonard Ecomuseum, an exhibition showcasing the bay’s flora, fauna and human activities.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Afternoon or morning
Guided tour of the beaches between Le Bec d’Andaine in Genêts and Mont-Saint-Michel, or a loop around Saint-Léonard, depending on the tide, the season and the activities you wish to do.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
On days that include a visit to the Baie Ecomuseum, there is the option of having a picnic on site.
A room can be made available for meals in case of inclement weather or for educational activities, at an additional cost.
This day trip, combining a tour and an outdoor excursion, allows you to discover the phenomenon of the tides, the birth of the bay, its evolution, and the work being done to restore the maritime character of the area surrounding Mont-Saint-Michel.
Morning or afternoon
Visit to the Bay Ecomuseum in Vains Saint-Léonard, which presents the formation of the Bay and the phenomenon of the tides.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Afternoon or morning
Guided tour of the beaches around Mont-Saint-Michel or crossing from the Ecomuseum.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours depending on the route and tide.
This day, combining a visit and a field trip, allows you to discover the birth of the bay, the phenomenon of the tides and their impact on the bay’s evolution, the environments and human activities.
Morning or afternoon
Visit to the Vains Saint-Léonard Ecomuseum
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Afternoon or morning
Guided outing on the beaches between Genêts and Mont-Saint-Michel or loop around Mont-Saint-Michel. Map reading and orientation in the bay, landscape reading.
Duration: 3 to 4 hours depending on route and tide.
On days that include a visit to the Baie Ecomuseum, there is the option of having a picnic on site.
A room can be made available for meals in case of inclement weather or for educational activities, at an additional cost.
A visit to the Scriptorial, a museum dedicated to the manuscripts of Mont-Saint-Michel, completes an outing to the Bay. This day trip allows you to make the connection between Mont-Saint-Michel and Avranches, the former seat of the bishopric, one of whose incumbents founded the sanctuary dedicated to the archangel and who collected the precious manuscripts during the Revolution.
Morning or afternoon
Guided tour of the scriptorium
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Afternoon or morning
Guided crossing between Genêts and Mont-Saint-Michel or guided loop tour around Mont Saint-Michel.
Duration: 2½ to 3 hours.