Bagnoles de l'Orne, Domfront and le Mont St Michel Abbey
This day out takes you to the famous Mont St Michel on the Normandy coast, a classified World Heritage site and one of the most amazing feats of architecture in France. Mont St Michel is very busy in the holiday season, there are lots of steps to climb in the abbey and you have to pay to use the loos - but it is one of the most spectacular sights you could hope to see, so well worth the visit. The island setting as well as the views from the top of the abbey are truly spectacular. The normal journey time to Le Mont St Michel is 2hrs 15mins, 145km or 90 miles.
Allow a couple of hours to explore the island abbey itself. En route you will pass near Bagnoles de l’Orne and Domfront, both of which are well worth a visit if time allows.
Go to Alençon and head west in the direction of Rennes (D112 then N12) until the town of Pré en Pail. Turn right on the N176 in the direction of Saint Malo and Mont Saint Michel.
Optional detour to Bagnoles de l'Orne - 2 hours If you wish to make a break in the journey to the spa town of Bagnoles de L'Orne, turn right at Couterne. About 1-2 km later turn left on a small road in the direction of Tessé la Madeleine - stop at the bridge to admire the beautiful Château de Couterne reflected in the waters of the Vée. It belongs to the Marquis de Frotté, one of whose ancestors was leader of the Chouan counter-revolutionary uprising during the French revolution.
Continue to Tessé la Madeleine and park in front of the church. The Boulangerie Lenoir is worth a visit to try their macarroons. From here you can walk on towards Bagnoles de l'Orne: this is a typical spa town from the 19th century, similar to Deauville and Cabourg. There is a terrific view over the town from the 'Roc au Chien', accessible by tourist train (30 min return, afternoons only) or on foot (45 mins). On foot, start from the church in Tessé and walk up the avenue du Chateau into the park; the arboretum houses 150 species including sequoias well over 100 years old. Take the avenue on the right at the chateau to arrive at the Roc and admire the view over Bagnoles. Return to the car and drive through Bagnoles; with the lake on your right, drive past the casino on the D335 into the forest of Andaine. At the crossroads with the D908 turn left in direction of Domfront.
End of detour to Bagnoles de l'Orne
You will arrive at Domfront. Due to its strategic position, the medieval city of Domfront was for centuries one of the most important strongholds in France. It passed into English hands in 1100 and passed back and forth several times before returning permanently to France in 1450. The ruined castle and ramparts are reached by a bridge over the moat, at the north-west side of the town, giving a terrific view over the surrounding countryside. A visit to the castle and ramparts will take about 30 minutes.
Leaving Domfront on the N176 in direction of Mont Saint Michel, you will drive in front of one of the masterpieces of Romanesque art in Normandy, the little chapel of Notre Dame sur l'Eau, decorated inside with 12th century frescoes.
Keep following the N176 through St. Hilaire du Harcouët and carry on to le Mont St Michel. There is a great view of the abbey island from the German cemetery at the far end of the bay.
Arriving at the Mont Saint Michel try to park your car as close as possible to the fortifications. There are usually some vacant spots close to the foot of the abbey and it saves a long walk through the car park! Climb up to the abbey by the 2nd gateway next to the fire department and you will avoid most of the crowds and the souvenir shops.
After your visit, return to Alençon via the D999 and St Hilaire du Harcouët.
