A few months ago, we left for Normandy to discover its treasures with, at the top of the list, the famous Mont-Saint-Michel. In addition to the visit of Mont-Saint-Michel, it is also the flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel that we had the chance to perform.
In this article, we tell you all about the ULM flight over Mont-Saint-Michel, on the different offers and the different devices that offer this unique activity.
At the end of the article, I will also give you my opinion and my feelings about this activity, but I might as well tell you right away, if flying over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel appeals to you: go for it!
Book your ULM flight over Mont-Saint-Michel:
All offers of flights over Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight, in a pendular microlight or in a gyroplane, lasting 20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Book your flight
- Microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel: the different offers
- Course of a ULM flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Practical advice for a successful microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- My opinion on the flight over Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight
Microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel: the different offers
Let's start this article by presenting the different offers that will come to you when booking your flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight.
Indeed, different ULM overflights are possible and vary according to the type of aircraft, the duration and the route of the overflight. We will only talk here about overflights in microlights and will therefore not cover overflights in hot air balloons or planes, just like parachute jumping or paragliding, which are also possible over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Pendulum ULM or Autogyro?
It is time to talk about ULM and on this subject a small precision is necessary. For those who don't know, the acronym ULM means "Ultra Light Motorized". An ULM can be of several types (called classes), be careful not to confuse.
The ULM can be a paramotor, a pendulum, an autogyro, an aerostat, a multi-axis or an ultralight helicopter.
In the case of the flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the ULM will be either a pendulum or an autogyro.
The pendulum ULM is the most widespread ULM, equipped with a delta wing, you will be seated behind the pilot.
The gyroplane is equipped with a propeller and a small cockpit in which you will sit. Again you will be seated behind the pilot.
Times and routes
In addition to the class of the device, it is also the duration that may vary. Depending on this duration, the circuit will of course be different. Each of the durations below, will be available in two choices, depending on the type of device. Indeed, it is possible to carry out all the flights below as well on a pendular ULM as on an Autogyro.
All microlight flights over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel take place from the Avranches aerodrome: Val-Saint-Père.
- 20 minute overview: The most common hover. Lasting 20 minutes, you will have the opportunity to fly over Mont-Saint-Michel and part of its bay. A nice tour that will allow you to contemplate the Mount from all sides.
- 30 minute overview: Longer by 10 minutes than the previous flight, the 30-minute ULM flight adds to the tour of Mont-Saint-Michel, a more important flight over its bay but also a flight over the cliffs of Champeaux to the north.
- 45 minute overview: The base of the flight is always the same, Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay, but different options will be available to you for the rest of the flight. First choice, head north and the region of Granville and the beaches of Carolles and Jullouville. The second solution will be to opt for the Brittany coast, Cherrueix, its beaches as well as the famous bay of Cancale.
- 60 minute overview: Just like the 45-minute flight, the 60-minute flight will give you two overflight options. A flight over Mont-Saint-Michel then the coast of Brittany, Cancale, Vivier sur Mer to the tip of Grouin. The second solution will be the flight over the Normandy coast with the cliffs of Champeaux, Carolles, Jullouville and Granville.
So here are the 4 circuits that it will be possible to book, each of them being able to be done with a pendulum microlight or with a gyroplane.
On the price side, we will detail all this a little further down.
Course of a ULM flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
After choosing the flyover of your choice, let's now move on to the course of the flight.
Meeting place
All flights over Mont-Saint-Michel depart from Avranches le Val-Saint-Père aerodrome. The Avranches Val-Saint-Père aerodrome is indeed the closest to Mont-Saint-Michel. It is also from the latter that flights for parachute jumps take off.
Avranches le Val-Saint-Père aerodrome is located at:
- 5 kilometres, or 10 minutes from the town of Avranches
- 27 kilometres, or 30 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel
- 30 kilometres, or 35 minutes from the town of Granville
The aerodrome, although very small, has 2 runways and a small installation allowing those accompanying them to wait under cover or on the terrace while taking advantage of the small bar on site.
Lift-off
First stage of the overflight, carried out for my part on a gyroplane, the takeoff.
After listening to the few instructions from the pilot, it's time to take your place in the aircraft. The gyroplane seems to be more reassuring than the pendulum ULM, because it has a sort of cockpit surrounding you and providing a feeling of safety.
The take-off of the autogyro is quite surprising because, although it has a propeller like a helicopter, it is not motorized. It is the propeller at the back of the device that advances the device and drives it, hence the propeller on top. The autogyro therefore takes off like an airplane and not like a helicopter.
After picking up speed on the runway, the gyroplane takes off gently and heads for the Mont.
Flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
Shortly after takeoff, Mont-Saint-Michel can be seen very quickly in the distance. We realize the immensity of the bay, one of the largest in Europe.
On the way, we fly over the famous salt meadows of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and their regularly flooded meanders.
All microlight flights do not strictly speaking fly over Mont-Saint-Michel but bypass it in order to appreciate all its facets.
Going around it, you approach the Mont-Saint-Michel dam, installed a few years ago to remove sand from the Mont.
Depending on the time at which you fly over and depending on the tide, there is a good chance that you will see (in very small form) the many groups of walkers who are hiking in the bay.
Take pictures during the flight?
It is very likely that you want to take photos during your flight over Mont-Saint-Michel. It is quite possible. You will be entitled to board with one device (and only one). It's up to you to choose between a GoPro-type or SLR-type device.
The first choice, the GoPro, will be the easiest solution to use, but will only allow you to take “wide angle” photos and will offer you very beautiful shots but without the possibility of zooming.
The reflex will give you more freedom (depending on the lens chosen) but will be more complex to handle. Forget the idea of changing lenses in mid-flight!
On the settings side, keep an eye on the pause time of your device. The microlight, whether pendular or gyroplane, vibrates a lot, and too long a pause time will result in blurring your photos.
During the flight, you will be equipped with a helmet, with a visor, which makes it very complicated to shoot in the viewfinder. The “Live View” could be a judicious solution.
Remember, in any case, to take a strap that will secure your device.
Landing
A quick word on the landing, very gently for me, on the runway of the aerodrome on which the sheep had settled in the meantime!
Practical advice for a successful microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
Now let's move on to the practical advice part. Some essential information for a successful ULM flight over Mont-Saint-Michel.
How much does a flight over Mont-Saint-Michel cost in a microlight?
- A 20-minute flight costs €90
- A 30-minute flight costs €130
- A 45-minute flight costs €170
- A 60-minute flight costs €210
When to book your flight?
Microlight overflights obviously depend on the weather, which makes the flight time slots quite limited depending on the season. In high season, the frequentation of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel makes this activity popular. It is advisable, whatever the season, to book your microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel a few days or even weeks in advance.How to book your flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel?
The easiest way is to go through sites specializing in booking activities of this kind. Manawa.com is the reference for booking outdoor activities in France and offers a wide choice of flights.When is the best time to fly over Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight?
The best time to fly over Mont-Saint-Michel is in summer. The month of June is favorable because the days are long, the weather is mild and tourists are still quite rare in the region. The months of July-August are also a good choice but it will be necessary to make sure to book in advance.Note that flying over Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight can be done all year round, weather permitting.
How to dress during an overflight in a microlight?
Everything depends on the weather but be sure, even in summer, to take a light jacket or sweater. With altitude and speed, the temperature is cooler during the overflight.Can we take our camera during the flight over Mont-Saint-Michel?
It is possible to take a device with you, either a camera (compact or reflex) or a Gopro type device. Be sure to attach it via a wrist strap.What is the take-off point for the Mont-Saint-Michel overflights?
Microlights take off from Avranches Le Val-Saint-Père airport.Is it possible to offer a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel?
Of course, go to Manawa.com and choose “Offer” rather than “Book”.What are the restrictions for this overflight?
Some restrictions apply to ULM overflight, in particular on the maximum authorized weight of 95kg, and on the maximum height of 1m95.Do you get dizzy during a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel?
Absolutely not. Overflights, whether in a microlight, plane or hot air balloon, will not make you feel dizzy. This is explained by the fact that during the flight you will not be in contact with the ground.Where to sleep before a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel?
We have dealt with this question at length in our dedicated article: “Where to sleep around Mont-Saint-Michel”. I invite you to take a look, you will find all the necessary information.My opinion on the flight over Mont-Saint-Michel in a microlight
The microlight flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel was my first microlight flight for me. Apprehending a little this overview, I had some reluctance to launch myself in particular because of vertigo. You might as well reassure yourself right away, in a ULM you won't feel dizzy. The sensations in flight are particularly pleasant, everything is done smoothly, from takeoff to landing. Certainly, the reduced weight of the device will help to make you feel every gust of wind. This astonishing phenomenon at the beginning will quickly become harmless.
In addition to the aircraft itself and the sensations, the overflight is a pure moment of happiness. Contemplating Mont-Saint-Michel from the sky is surprising. This one shows itself in a completely different light, just like the bay in which it is placed.
I can only recommend this flight over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, a must in my opinion in the region.
