Most visitors come to Mont Saint-Michel for the abbey. And of course, they should. But the real beauty of the place is not only on the island, it is also in the bay.

This private full-day tour from Bayeux or Caen shows you Mont Saint-Michel with a more local eye, aboard a vintage Range Rover.

In the morning, explore the medieval village and abbey with your guide, who brings the place to life through its history and architecture.

Then, leave the island for a chic picnic lunch in a beautifully renovated 17th-century building, with open views of the Mont. Local treats and a quieter setting after the busy village atmosphere.

In the afternoon, your guide takes you through the surrounding countryside to discover some of the best viewpoints, including the salt meadows of the bay. The day can include a stop at a German military cemetery, for its striking circular architecture, or at a foundry where bells are still made for cathedrals, including Notre-Dame de Paris.