La Mère Poulard Group

A long tradition of hospitality

The history of the Mère Poulard Group began almost 140 years ago, with the creation of the famous Auberge La Mère Poulard.

Today, the history of the La Mère Poulard Group continues with the integration of 25 tourist establishments in Mont-Saint-Michel and employs more than 150 people.

Key dates

Annette Poulard inaugurates her inn

Our story begins in 1888, when Annette Poulard opened her inn in the heart of the medieval town of Mont-Saint-Michel. Annette Poulard's immense talents were soon recognised, and she was awarded the honorary title of "Mother" for her exceptional cooking skills and her decisive contribution to the renown of French gastronomy.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mont-Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site

Considered the eighth wonder of the world since the Middle Ages, Mont-Saint-Michel attracts several million visitors every year from all over the world.

Creation of the La Mère Poulard Group

Eric Vannier, a native of the bay, bought the Auberge La Mère Poulard. He dreamt of a tourism project for Mont-Saint-Michel at a time when pilgrims were becoming less and less numerous. Eric Vannier attracted a new, more international clientele to revitalise the Wonder and its surroundings.

Creation of the Mère Poulard biscuit factory

The Group diversifies into the food industry. Biscuiterie La Mère Poulard is created to develop Annette Poulard's traditional biscuit recipes. The biscuit factory began by producing its famous shortbread biscuits before launching into the creation of palets, galettes and cookies in Saint-Etienne-en-Coglès, 30 kilometres from Mont-Saint-Michel.

Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island again

Under the impetus of Eric Vannier, the long-serving mayor of Mont-Saint-Michel, a major project was undertaken to allow the sea and rivers to reclaim the bay, and return Mont-Saint-Michel to the middle of the water. A dam was built to give the river Couesnon its full power in its role as the bay's immense tidal flushing channel.

"La Mère Poulard" celebrates its 130th anniversary

130 years after the opening of the Auberge La Mère Poulard, numerous festivities have been organised in Mont-Saint-Michel, the biscuit factory has launched new product ranges and the book "Les carnets de cuisine de La Mère Poulard" has been published.

A comprehensive tourism offering

Today, the La Mère Poulard Group offers the most diverse range of tourist facilities on Mont-Saint-Michel, both in terms of the services on offer and the price range. In all, the group includes 25 establishments: 6 hotels, 8 restaurants, 5 takeaways, 3 private museums and 3 souvenir shops.

Our mission

The Mère Poulard Group is the leading hotel and restaurant operator on Mont-Saint-Michel. As an ambassador for the site's natural and historical heritage, it offers the most comprehensive and diversified range of services on the site to meet the expectations of all visitors, with a unique experience based on the generosity and hospitality of its emblematic character, La Mère Poulard.

Our vision

Today's tourist clientele is demanding strong proposals in terms of authenticity and naturalness. Because Mont-Saint-Michel will continue to be one of the most visited sites in France in the future, the La Mère Poulard Group is contributing to the worldwide reputation of the Marvel in the tradition of Annette Poulard's "French hospitality".

The Group today

Diversification A more diversified offer in terms of services and price range, to meet the needs of all audiences.

Digital transformation The Group's commitment to offering its customers, employees and partners ever more advanced use of digital solutions.

Local roots The Mont-Saint-Michel area: we favour links with companies and suppliers in the Mont-Saint-Michel area and the surrounding region. The free-range eggs used in our iconic omelettes are produced just a few kilometres from the Mont, on a family farm that supplied Annette Poulard back in the 19th century.

The Biscuit Factory

In a market where brands are vying with each other for invention and modernisation, La Mère Poulard biscuit factory is committed to taste, with simple, authentic products that respect tradition. These traditional, authentic recipes and their packaging recall the roots and the world of biscuit-making.

The Group in figures

Establishments

Employees

20000

OMELETTES SERVED per year

TOURISM ON MONT SAINT-MICHEL

Management team

Léo Vannier

Vice-Chairman

Léo Vannier joined the Group in 2017 within the Franchises division. He took over as Managing Director in 2021, before becoming Vice-Chairman in 2024.

Frédéric Vincent

Managing Director

With 35 years' experience in hotels, restaurants and tourism (Groupe Barrière and Iles Paul Ricard), Frédéric Vincent took over as head of the Group's tourism activities in 2024 to breathe new life into the business.

Guillaume KERMOAL

Executive Vice-President

Since 2025, Guillaume Kermoal has been contributing his expertise in management and strategy (Groupe Barrière and Iles Paul Ricard), to support the transformation of the company and optimise the customer experience while respecting the Group's historical DNA.

Erwan Briault

Sales Director

41 years old, from Avranches and back in the Group after 15 years of varied experience in the tourism sector.

Aurélie Gautier

Administrative and Financial Manager

Aurélie is 38 years old. A native of the region, Aurélie joined the Group in 2007. She has held a number of different positions in the accounts department, culminating in her appointment as head of the department.

Jean-Christophe Bazin

Accommodation Manager

Jean-Christophe is 33 years old. Originally from Normandy, Jean-Christophe joined the Group in 2019 after a number of experiences in France and abroad.

Christophe Pacheco

Executive Chef

36 years old. With the Group since 2015, Ophélie heads up the human resources team in a unique world where the warm welcome of the teams blends with a passion for our businesses.

Erwan Briault

Sales Director

41 years old, from Avranches and back in the Group after 15 years of varied experience in the tourism sector.

3 Boulevard de l'Avancée,
50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel - FRANCE

+33 (0)2 33 89 68 68