Counting the waves…
Counting the waves…
The beach at Genêts exists in two states: vast and vanished. At low tide, you walk what feels like kilometers across corrugated sand still wet from the bay's retreat, your boots printing temporary signatures beside wader tracks and lugworm castings. The famous silhouette of Mont-Saint-Michel hovers on the southern horizon, a granite mirage that seems to float between mudflat and mackerel sky. Locals time their days by the tide tables sold at the tabac, not by clocks. Come evening, the incoming sea erases everything—footprints, channels, the ribbed patterns the water carved that morning. What was a desert of sand becomes a shallow mirror, catching the westward sun in sheets of copper and rose. Oystercatchers work the tide line. Salt thickens the air. You taste it on your lips, feel it tighten your skin. This is not a beach for laying out towels. It's a place of pilgrimage and mutability, where medieval travelers once began their barefoot crossing to the abbey and where you now watch the bay reclaim its territory with patient, twice-daily discipline. The buvette near the car park serves moules-frites and local cider. Order both, find a bench facing west, and let the tide do what it's done for centuries.
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Plage du Bec d'Andaine.
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Swimming at Plage du Bec d'Andaine requires caution due to the bay's dramatic tides and strong currents. The beach is located in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, known for having some of Europe's highest tidal ranges. Waters can recede several kilometers, and incoming tides move quickly. Swimming is generally not recommended, especially during tidal changes. Always check local tide tables before visiting, stay within marked areas if any exist, and heed warning signs. The beach is better suited for walking, tide watching, and scenic enjoyment rather than swimming.
Plage du Bec d'Andaine can be visited year-round, with each season offering distinct experiences. Summer (June-August) provides the warmest weather and longest days, ideal for beach walks and picnics. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures with fewer crowds, perfect for peaceful seaside strolls. Winter visits can be dramatic, with striking light and moody skies. The beach is particularly renowned for spectacular sunsets throughout the year. For the best tidal spectacle, plan your visit around high or low tide times, which you can check online beforehand.
Plage du Bec d'Andaine is located in Genêts, approximately 40 kilometers south of Granville in Manche, Normandy. By car, take the D911 coastal road; the beach is well-signposted from Genêts village. Free parking is available near the beach access points along the coastal road. The nearest train station is in Pontorson (about 20 kilometers away), though a car is most convenient for reaching this coastal area. From major cities, Genêts is roughly 90 minutes from Rennes and three hours from Paris by car.
Genêts village, adjacent to Plage du Bec d'Andaine, offers several dining options including traditional Norman restaurants and crêperies serving local specialties. Basic amenities like cafés and small shops are available in the village. For accommodation, you'll find chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs), vacation rentals, and small hotels in Genêts and surrounding villages. Larger towns like Avranches (15 kilometers away) and Granville offer more extensive dining and lodging options. The beach itself has limited facilities, so plan accordingly and bring supplies for longer visits.
Yes, Plage du Bec d'Andaine offers exceptional views of Mont-Saint-Michel across the bay, making it one of the best vantage points to photograph the famous island abbey. The view is particularly stunning at sunset when the monument is silhouetted against the sky. The beach's position provides a different perspective than the typical tourist viewpoints, allowing you to see Mont-Saint-Michel in its full bay context. The distance creates a dramatic panoramic scene, especially during low tide when vast sandflats are exposed, emphasizing the bay's unique landscape.
