The bay of Mont-Saint-Michel

Unesco World Heritage

The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel is a unique region in France where land and sea meet in an unusual way. Here we experience the highest tides in Europe with 15m difference between high tide and low tide.

Birdlife

The bay and the salt marshes are home to an extraordinary variety of birds. Spoonbills, egrets, ducks, geese, plovers, oystercatchers, curlews, to name just a few. More than 134 species use this place to either live in all year round, reproduce here, rest during migration or stay in over the winter months.

You can find out more about the birds species in the bay by visiting the Ecomuseum of the bay in Saint Léonard, Vains and by booking a trip with Birding Mont Saint Michel.

The sheep

The birds share this magnificent place with the salt meadow sheep. Recently awarded the AOC label, these sheep graze freely on the grasslands that regularly get covered by the sea. This particular diet gives their meat a unique, naturally salty taste called "pré-salé" which means pre-salted.

At the right time you may find yourself in the middle of a transhumance. The shepherd brings his sheep back to the fields during the highest tides, then return them to the salt marshes at low tide.

The seals

The bay is home to the southernmost colony of seals in Europe, around forty individuals. You may encounter them if you cross the bay with a guide, otherwise if you find yourself at the Pointe du Grouin in Saint Léonard during the tidal bore at high tide, scan the water to see their heads sticking out as they hunt for fish.

Some dolphins also live in the sea. Although very shy, they occasionally approach the boats which take tourists to the Chausey Islands.