Groups
Route details
Description
With its five footbridges which cross the river, this course offers multiple possibilities of circuits.
Your itinerary
Step 1: The Couesnon
The Couesnon has its source in Saint-Pierre-des-Landes in Mayenne before flowing into the bay of Mont Saint-Michel after a winding course of 80 km in Ille-et-Vilaine. Between Fougères and Antrain, the river forms a steep valley overlooked by wooded slopes and meadows of great natural and landscape wealth, a vast playground for lovers of hiking, climbing or canoeing.
In the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, the Couesnon marks the border between Brittany and Normandy. Which earned him the famous Breton saying “Le Couesnon in his madness put the Mont in Normandy but when he comes to his senses the Mont will become Breton again”.
Step 2: The Couesnon climbing site
The Couesnon rocks are one of the most popular climbing sites in Ille-et-Vilaine. From beginner to expert, its 74 routes from 8 to 20 meters offer all styles of climbing (slab, wall, dihedral and overhang).
Stage 3: The Couesnon water treatment plant
On the left bank of the Couesnon is the old Mézières-sur-Couesnon water production plant dating from 1934. It treated groundwater from the Coglais drains and surface water from the Couesnon before a new plant was built. built in 2012. The latter provides 25 m000 of drinking water per day.
Step 4: From water to paper
In the 17th century, the banks of the Couesnon had around twenty paper mills. Lime-free water made it possible to obtain quality paper. The Guyon, Roche and Houx mills still bear witness to this era which preceded the installation of grain mills in operation until the 80s.
