Tour of the Balconies of the Sée River (Manche)

In the heart of the Normandy bocage, the trail begins in Brécey, a market town with a rich agricultural past. The route climbs towards Notre-Dame-de-Livoye and La Chaise-Baudouin, revealing open panoramas over the Sée Valley. Nature reigns supreme here, among sunken lanes lined with centuries-old hedges and apple orchards. Crossing Coulouvray-Boisbenâtre, the highest point of the route, hikers immerse themselves in a peaceful forest atmosphere—a sanctuary of preserved biodiversity where roe deer and birds of prey can sometimes be spotted. Local heritage is revealed in Saint-Pois, a former seigniorial fiefdom, through its granite houses and rural churches with discreet charm. Descending towards Cuves, the murmur of the river grows closer, recalling the historical importance of the mills that once dotted its banks for paper or flour production.

The Sée Valley, nicknamed the "Valley of 100 Mills," is a ribbon of greenery winding through the Normandy bocage from the heights of Sourdeval to the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. Its history is intimately linked to the hydraulic power of its swift waters, which enabled a flourishing industry of paper mills, spinning mills, and forges to rise as early as the Middle Ages, particularly in Brouains. This industrial heritage, preserved today at the Sée Mill Ecomuseum, bears witness to the craftsmanship of the Manche worker-peasants. On the nature side, the Sée is one of France's most renowned coastal rivers for Atlantic salmon runs, delighting both fishermen and naturalists. The landscapes transform with the current, passing from deep wooded gorges to wet meadows where Normandy cows graze, before opening onto the salt marshes of the bay. Architectural heritage is not to be outdone, with granite churches and ancient stone bridges spanning this impetuous river with its wild character. Exploring this valley on foot or by bike means discovering a secret Normandy, far from the coastal crowds, where the whisper of the water tells of centuries of artisanal activity. Between its apple orchards and steep paths, the Sée offers total immersion in a preserved ecology, where the influence of the tides begins to be felt at the gates of Avranches.

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Distance: 63km, Maximum altitude: 292m, Minimum altitude: 28m, Total ascent: 1261m

GR®22 Mont Saint-Michel Trail
GR®34 Customs Officers' Path
GR®39 From Mont St Michel (Manche) to Hoscas (Loire-Atlantique)
GR®223 Normandy Coastline
GR®226 From Vaux (Calvados) to Gué-Rochoux (Manche)