If you are on vacation in our hotel in Saint-MaloIf you're staying at our hotel in Saint-Malo, you'll want to set aside an afternoon to discover a natural site unlike any other... where the Devil is said to have left his mark! According to legend, the place once occupied by the fallen angel is none other than Mont-Dol, located in the heart of the Marais de Dol-de-Bretagne, in the mythical Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Mont-Dol: the Devil's playground and the scene of divine battles
Mont-Dol was once a place where people felt safe from divine punishment. One of the most important legends of Mont-Dol refers to the fallen angel, the Devil, who is said to have left many traces behind him. Legend has it that when the Devil roamed the region, he took huge strides from the Mireloup valley in Plerguer to Mont-Dol.
In addition, it was on the imposing rock (or seat) near the Chapelle Notre-Dame de l'Espérance that Satan would set up camp to spy on the doings of one of his worst enemies: Saint-Samson, who was building the Cathedral of Dol-de-Bretagne. The Devil is said to have grabbed a rock and hurled it at the edifice in order to destroy it. However, due to an inaccurate trajectory, the enormous stone only damaged the top of the north tower...
On the same rock, you can also see the famous Devil's claws, the remains of a fierce battle between the fallen angel and the Archangel Saint-Michel! Precipitated into the void by his adversary, the Devil is said to have left the mark of his claws in the stone, trying in vain to hold on to it before sinking to the foot of Mont-Dol.
Several hiking trails in Mont-Dol
At the top of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, you may notice the statue of the Archangel Saint-Michel striking down the Devil. But before that, there are a number of hiking trails where you can discover the many local attractions (heritage buildings, flora and fauna in the nature reserve, local produce, etc.).
From Mont-Dol, for example, you can hike two signposted trails, totalling 9 kilometers of walking. These are even GPS-tracked, so you can follow them at your leisure using a dedicated application.
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