⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: Rebellious pirate strongholds, miraculous island abbeys, and accidental coastal treasures.
Must See: The peaceful cloisters at Mont Saint-Michel, the echoing bells of St. Malo, and the open-air Abbey at Point Saint Mathieu!
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds!)
The northwest corner of France holds some of the most breathtaking, history-rich destinations in all of Europe. Taking our 19 and 23-year-old daughters here on our perimeter loop of France was absolutely magical.
This region is home to two massive coastal marvels: the miraculous, angel-inspired island of Mont Saint-Michel (Normandy), and the fiercely independent, pirate-built walled city of St. Malo (Brittany). Both are shaped by the powerful ocean tides, both are steeped in deep legends, and both offer incredible 360° VR adventures. Grab your headset, and let's explore!
👇 Choose Your Path
Mont Saint-Michel: Built by an Angel
To me, the Abbey at Mont Saint-Michel stands as a physical testament that the Lord loves all His people, and that those willing to listen will be given direction from above. This incredible island fortress exists because St. Aubert, a bishop in 700 AD, had a vision—three times in the night—from the Archangel Michael telling him to build a church on this very rock.
As we walked out toward the island, we told our girls the incredible stories of how the Archangel Michael was believed to have appeared here. It gave us all such a reverent feeling. They were old enough to truly be curious and respectful of the sheer history radiating from the stones.
"Architects who visit here are stunned that this amazing place was built way back in 966... building a huge 3-story church on top of a pointy rock on an island... most likely had some enlightenment from above to accomplish."
The Galloping Tide & Hidden Dangers
The coolest part of Mont Saint-Michel's legend is its defense system: the ocean itself. Attackers who tried to seize the island would literally be washed away by the notoriously fast tide, which is said to rush in as quickly as a galloping horse! All the defenders had to do was hold the invaders off long enough for the tide to do its work.
⚠️ Beware the Quicksand
You will see tourists walking on the mudflats around the island at low tide. Do not do this without a certified local guide. On my very first visit, our guide warned us that there are quicksand pockets out there where people get into serious trouble.
While we were standing there, an ambulance literally sped out onto the flats! I assumed right then it wasn't just a scare tactic. So when we took our girls, we didn't even dare walk the sand, even though lots of people were out there doing it.
The Climb to the Heavens
Only about one-third of visitors to Mont Saint-Michel make it all the way to the Abbey at the top. The climb is a huge part of the experience! We explored inside the city walls from one end to the other, slipping through every secret alleyway we could find—including the famous "secret" alley that is only 12 inches wide!
🏰 Jaw-Dropping Exploration
Our girls had their jaws dropped open in amazement at the massive pillars, the quaint tiny church, the cemetery, and the charming houses clinging to the rock. And the most amazing part? They didn't complain a bit about the 900 stairs! That is especially incredible considering my daughter has a very rare metabolic disorder.
As for me? I had to stop once to catch my breath, but honestly, 900 stairs is absolutely nothing compared to our usual hikes back home in Utah with 1,800 to 2,000 feet of elevation gain!
After being deep in the dark stone fortress (which also served as a brutal prison during the French Revolution), you finally emerge into the sunlight at the very top, inside the peaceful, beautiful grass cloisters. That moment of stepping into the light is the ultimate reward.
St. Malo: The Pirate's Walled City
Just down the coast in Brittany lies St. Malo. It’s a beautiful, ancient city completely enclosed by massive stone walls, but its history is what truly captures the imagination.
This was a city built by pirates! For centuries, it was a wealthy, independent stronghold of "Corsairs" who would charge a hefty "toll" on any boats passing through the English Channel. The city became so powerful that the governments of France and Britain often left them alone. Walking the full loop on top of the ramparts is the best way to see the city and the surrounding tidal forts.
🏊♀️ The Mystery of the Wall
St. Malo has some of the highest tidal ranges in Europe. During my first visit, I noticed a strange, square wall sitting out on the sand at the beach. I wondered, "Why is there just an extra border wall out there?" When we came back years later, the tide was high, and people were swimming safely inside that walled area. It's a tidal swimming pool! Suddenly, it all made perfect sense!
The 10-Year Crepe Quest
My first visit to St. Malo was as a tour guide for a group of students. Todd and I were actually separated, leading different groups. I spent a magical October afternoon strolling the quiet streets. Meanwhile, Todd's group found a charming little creperie right by a quaint, grassy city park. They ordered an incredible double-layer crepe filled with peaches and caramel, topped with hazelnut ice cream. He bragged about how amazing it tasted for ten long years!
🕵️♂️ Todd's Seafood Stakeout
Todd is always on a mission for good food. Earlier on the trip, he saw our local tour guide take off for lunch. Curious about what the locals actually eat, he secretly followed her! He sat quietly in a corner just to watch what she ordered. Eventually, the waiter brought her this massive seafood platter piled high with quite the variety of sea creatures. Todd said it looked delicious and completely strange all at the same time!
When we returned a decade later with our girls, the very first thing on our agenda was finding those legendary crepes. We walked to where that charming park used to be, and... it was gone! In place of the grass was just cement, and the cute little restaurant had completely vanished.
Starving, we ended up at a spot up on the rampart wall. Our waitresses were dressed as pirates, which definitely gave us that fun St. Malo feel! However, my young daughter's crepe came out completely covered in strong alcohol! She looked at it like, "What is wrong with this?!" It was beautiful, but she wouldn't even touch it. Lesson learned!
The Magic of the Bells & A Golden Rule
After wandering the nooks and crannies of the city, the sun began to set, casting a beautiful golden hour glow on the stone buildings. We suddenly realized we were running late for our bus!
As we started walking quickly, the massive church bells suddenly began to ring. The sound was absolutely magical, echoing off the ancient walls and filling the entire city. It felt like we were being transported to another time entirely. Even though we were late, we had to stop, just for a moment, to let the sound wash over us... and then we ran like crazy!
💡 The Golden Rule: Go in October!
My first visit was during the day in October, and it was quiet, peaceful, and incredibly charming. When we returned with the girls in late July, it was CRAZY crowded. I had promised my girls they would absolutely LOVE the charm of this town, but it was so packed they couldn't even feel the magic. If I go back, I am strictly an October visitor!
Concarneau: The Accidental Gem
This incredible town came about entirely by accident! We were just looking for a nice break from driving, but we soon realized Concarneau should have been on our main itinerary. It is absolutely delightful, sitting right on the sparkling ocean.
The most fascinating part of Concarneau is the Ville Close—a walled town built entirely on a small island in the center of the harbor. You walk across a stone bridge by the city clock tower, pass under a tunnel, and suddenly you are on this incredible island lined with the cutest restaurants and shops.
🛍️ High-Quality Treasures
Often, these types of tourist islands are filled with cheap souvenir shops, but not here! The shops in Concarneau are incredibly well thought out, offering high-quality goods and beautiful local crafts. We were delighted just wandering the street and browsing all the fun things they had.
Breton Charm & The Blue Nets
Concarneau is located in the Brittany (Breton) region of France. For years, this area had its own distinct language and operated almost like its own commune. Historically, this specific harbor was a massive center for shipbuilding.
🎣 The Festival of the Blue Nets
If you are lucky enough to be in this town in August, they host the Filets Bleus (Festival of the Blue Nets). It is one of the oldest and largest traditional festivals in all of Brittany, featuring traditional Celtic dress, music, and events celebrating their rich fishing heritage!
While one end of the island connects to the main town by the bridge, the other side has a small ferry that takes you across the harbor to the village of Lanriec. It’s a brilliant setup for a coastal fortress!
The Edge of France: Touching the English Channel
By the time we reached the end of our perimeter loop of France, we were honestly exhausted from being in the car. I had vastly overestimated how much driving we could handle! Because of the crazy summer crowds, we decided to ditch St. Malo early and hunt for a town that was much more quaint and peaceful.
Our ultimate goal? We wanted to drive to the absolute northwest corner of the country just so we could officially say we touched the English Channel! That mission led us to the incredibly dramatic, rocky beaches of Point Saint Mathieu. As we were driving the winding coastal roads to get here, we read stories aloud in the car about the rugged people who lived on this edge of the world. It built up so much anticipation and made the drive incredibly fun!
🌬️ Whipping Winds & Wild Grass
When we finally stepped out of the car, it was SO windy! I remember my hair just whipping around wildly as I was trying to map out a 360 trail for Google Earth. You could hear the wind aggressively rustling through the tall grass. It felt truly wild, untamed, and exactly how the edge of the world should feel!
🥐 Heavenly Pastries & Charming Alleys
We absolutely hit the jackpot here. The stores in this town were amazing—each one was so clever, with products that were so enticing to buy! I wanted to inspect every single store and wander down every narrow alley just to catch a glimpse of the water.
But the real treasure? The pastries! We searched everywhere on our trip for yummy pastries, and here, they were absolute heaven. Sitting by the sea with a fresh French pastry is a memory I'll never forget.
Shipwrecks & The Open-Air Abbey
Point Saint Mathieu sits on a tip that extends so far out into the ocean that it frequently caught ships unaware. In fact, the town historically made its income off the salvage from these shipwrecks! The coast here is so treacherous that they had to build not just one, but three lighthouses! It was so much fun to walk right up to the base of each one and compare the differences.
🏴☠️ A Hands-Off Government
I had to chuckle to myself at the irony of it all. Here was this faith-loving community with an impressive, massive church, but they were renowned for "helping" with the constant shipwrecks—and conveniently keeping the salvaged goods! The government couldn't send much money to support them out on this remote point, so they essentially turned a blind eye. I couldn't help but wonder if they were connected to St. Malo's pirate vibe! Just like the Corsairs, the French government took a very "hands-off" approach as long as they didn't cause too much trouble.
⛪ Open to the Heavens & Ancient Arches
There is an ancient Abbey right on the cliffs. By law, this Abbey was given the rights to keep a percentage of all the shipwreck salvage! There is also a protective walled area built right next to it to shield the inhabitants from invaders. I absolutely loved walking under that ancient stone archway and stepping into that fortified space.
Today, the Abbey's roof is completely gone, leaving only bare stone walls. But when you walk inside, there are chairs set up just like a working church. Sitting down in those chairs, with the walls surrounding you but the sky completely open above... there is a sort of "rightness" to it. It feels completely open to the heavens and to God.
With its dramatic lighthouses, ruined abbey, whipping winds, and history of shipwreck salvagers, this location is an absolute green-screen heaven! The charming stories and legends that could come from here are endless.
Interactive VR Tours
Experience the magic of these iconic coastal destinations in 360 degrees! Click and drag on the videos or street views to look around.
Mont Saint-Michel: Walking the Abbey
Concarneau: The Walled Island Port
Step onto the bridge leading into the Ville Close!
Point Saint Mathieu: Coastline & Abbey
Explore the rocky shores and the ruins of the open-air Abbey.
Tour of France: More Quaint Towns
My goal on our Tour of France was to explore the border of the country and see all the different cultures that exist there. We experienced 8 cultures and 3 oceans in 14 days without ever leaving France! Here are a few more of my absolute favorites:
- La Rochelle: A fabulous harbor town with historical towers and beautiful catamarans. Definitely one of Todd's favorites!
- Colmar: Our "Germany-like" quaint town. The beautiful canals and flowers captured my heart. We hated leaving this one the most!
- Locronan: My favorite medieval town! The rock-paved streets are magical in the evening when the lights go on.
- Perouges: Delightful from the moment we entered. You definitely need to wander until you find the cute Steampunk store!
The Northwest Scrapbook
A collection of my favorite moments from Mont Saint-Michel, St. Malo, and Concarneau!
✨ Ask the Tour Guide
Curious about French history, the tides, or the architecture? Ask our AI Guide!
A Journey to Remember
The northwest corner of France is a place that captures your heart and imagination. Whether you're climbing 900 stairs to an angelic abbey, laughing at pirate waitresses serving alcohol-drenched crepes, or standing on ancient walls listening to church bells echo, it’s an adventure that feels both timeless and completely magical. (And yes, exploring these walls definitely has my gears turning for a Pirate green-screen video in the future!)
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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