Normandy and neighbouring Brittany in 3, 5 or 7 days
Three itineraries from the Mont-Saint-Michel bay, without changing gîte
Itineraries from the bay
Our five gîtes in Vessey are 15 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel, where Normandy meets Brittany. For a week, they work as a base camp: you unpack once, and every day starts from the same place. Here are three itineraries of 3, 5 and 7 days that fit inside one another — the longest takes up the shortest and goes further —, with driving times from the bay and the season that suits each one.
The 3-day itinerary: the Mont, the bay, Saint-Malo
Day 1, Mont-Saint-Michel, 15 minutes away: go up early in the morning or late in the day, when the Grande Rue empties. Day 2, the bay on foot with a certified guide, then the beaches of Genêts, also 15 minutes away, at low tide. Day 3, neighbouring Brittany: Saint-Malo, 40 minutes away, and a walk round its ramparts, then Cancale at 45 for oysters facing the port of La Houle.
The 5-day itinerary: add Dinan and Fougères
Keep the first three days, then add two medieval towns inland. Day 4, Dinan, 40 minutes away: the rue du Jerzual runs down from the ramparts to the port on the Rance. Day 5, Fougères, 35 minutes away: the castle and its wall walk in the morning, the medieval quarter in the afternoon. Two short days in the car, leaving time to get back for the heated pool in the late afternoon.
The 7-day itinerary: Granville, Bayeux and the D-Day beaches
To the previous five days, add the Normandy coast. Day 6, Granville, 45 minutes away: the Haute-Ville, the port and the boats to the Chausey islands. Day 7, the longest day: Bayeux, about 1h20 away, then Omaha Beach and the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, about 1h30 away. Leave early: according to Mappy, the motorway route is toll-free, and you are back for dinner.
The gîtes as a base camp
From our gîtes, Mont-Saint-Michel and the beaches of Genêts are 15 minutes away, Fougères 35, Saint-Malo and Dinan 40, Cancale and Granville 45. Further afield, according to Mappy (fastest route from Pontorson, without traffic, checked on 21 September 2026): Caen about 1h15, Bayeux 1h20, Omaha Beach 1h30, Honfleur 2 hours and Étretat 2h30. Beyond an hour and a half, keep the town for your arrival or departure day.
When to go
In spring and in September, the equinox spring tides bring the sea back around the Mont. In July and August, visit the sites early in the morning or late in the day. Around 6 June, the D-Day Festival Normandy livens up the landing beaches every year: ceremonies, events and big crowds, so book early. In winter the bay is empty, the days are short, and the heated pool at 28 °C stays open: choose the 3- or 5-day itinerary then.
Only two days?
If you only have a weekend, do not try to see everything: keep the Mont and the bay, and leave Bayeux and the D-Day beaches for another stay. Our weekend plan sets out those two days season by season, with the opening hours of the abbey and the shuttle, and what we suggest depending on who you are coming with.
Our gîtes for a week in the bay
Frequently asked questions about Normandy itineraries
How many days do you need to visit Normandy from Mont-Saint-Michel?
Three days are enough for the Mont, the bay and Saint-Malo. Five days add Dinan and Fougères; seven days, Granville, Bayeux and the D-Day beaches. Honfleur and Étretat mean long days on the road: better to fit them in on the way there or back.
Can you see the D-Day beaches on a day trip from your gîtes?
Yes. According to Mappy, Bayeux is about 1h20 away and Omaha Beach about 1h30, by motorway and toll-free. Entry and parking at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer are free (checked on 21 September 2026). Leave early and you are back for dinner.
Can you see the Bayeux Tapestry at the moment?
Not in Bayeux. The Tapestry museum is closed for renovation until autumn 2027, and the Tapestry is on loan to the British Museum in London from September 2026 (checked on 21 September 2026). Bayeux remains a convenient stop on the way to the beaches.
Can Honfleur and Étretat be done as day trips?
It is possible, but long: about 2 hours on the road to Honfleur and 2h30 to Étretat, with tolls on the A13 and at the Pont de Normandie. Better to fit them in on the way there or back. In Étretat, walking at the foot of the cliffs is banned by municipal order: stay on the marked paths.
What discounts are there for a week in your gîtes?
They apply automatically when you book direct: −25 % for 5 to 6 nights and −30 % from 7 nights. The five gîtes, for 2 to 10 people, are open all year, with a heated pool at 28 °C and an optional sauna.