Mont-Saint-Michel and its abbey, one of the most visited tourist sites in France each year. A castle in the middle of the water. Visit Mont-Saint-Michel is something to do and see at least once in your life! We visited this impressive building during a stay in Normandy. In this article, I tell you what we did during our visit to Mont-Saint-Michel: the different activities, our practical advice, timetables, prices, etc.
Summary:
- Presentation of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Practical advice for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel
- Activities to do at Mont-Saint-Michel
- Where to sleep to visit Mont-Saint-Michel
- Visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris
- History of Mont-Saint-Michel
- My opinion on a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel
Presentation of Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is a tiny island located in Normandy, on the border with Brittany. Its geographical location has been debated for decades! Officially Norman, Mont-Saint-Michel is also claimed by the Bretons.
It is here that the highest European tides take place (the second in the whole world). These tides can reach up to 14 kilometers in amplitude. Imagine the amount of water transported in the space of a few hours. It's impressive !
Concerning the Mont-Saint-Michel itself, know that it is a small French town inhabited by around thirty people from Mons all year round. In summer, Mont-Saint-Michel attracts many tourists and reaches peak attendance of more than 1,5 million visitors per year.
Between the abbey, the bay and the small streets of the town, the ways to discover this site are many and varied, adapting to different generations of visitors. This is what we are going to see right away!
Practical advice for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel
Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel cannot be improvised. The number of visitors in the summer season imposes a minimum of anticipation and organization. Indeed, some visits are to be booked several days in advance. In this part, I give you some advice and practical information so that your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel is perfect! Here are the main questions you are likely to ask yourself:
- When to visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the best season?
- What are the opening hours of Mont-Saint-Michel?
- How to get to Mont-Saint-Michel?
- Where to park to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
- Where to take the shuttle to get to Mont-Saint-Michel?
- Can we eat inside Mont-Saint-Michel?
- How long to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
- How much does entry to Mont-Saint-Michel cost?
When to visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the best season?
Mont-Saint-Michel is open all year round, as is its Abbey. In summer, the tourist influx is impressive. If you have the possibility, opt for a visit outside school holidays, either between May and June or in September and October. The rest of the year, you will have less pleasant weather to visit and take beautiful photos, but the site is still open.
What are the opening hours of Mont-Saint-Michel?
Mont-Saint-Michel is a commune, access is free. On the other hand, Mont-Saint-Michel is not accessible during high tides. You must therefore take care of this important element during your visit. To do this, consult the website of the tourist office where you will find all the tide times.
How to get to Mont-Saint-Michel?
Several options are available to you : by car, by bike, on foot, by bus, by boat or even by train. Regular buses come to Mont-Saint-Michel, allowing you to arrive by plane in Rennes or Caen for example, by train in Pontorson or even by boat arriving in Saint-Malo or Granville.
Regarding the car, you will have to park in the car parks around Mont-Saint-Michel.
In any case, you will then take a large footbridge linking the mainland and Mont-Saint-Michel.
Where to park to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
Arriving by car to visit Mont-Saint-Michel, simply follow the signs indicating the car parks. They are a dozen car parks to welcome you a few hundred meters from Mont-Saint-Michel.
For a car, in high season, it will cost €14,20 for the day and in low season, the day costs €9,10. Rates vary depending on the type of vehicle.
Where to take the shuttle to get to Mont-Saint-Michel?
From the car parks, free shuttles take you to the entrance to Mont-Saint-Michel. They are indicated when exiting parking lots. Depending on the season, they are more or less frequent between 7:30 am and midnight.
You can also borrow the footbridge or opt for a carriage and its horses. This last option is paying, about 6€ per trip.
Can we eat inside Mont-Saint-Michel?
Of course ! There are many restaurants within the very walls of Mont-Saint-Michel. You can take a seat on the terrace, inside and even choose a crepe to take away if you prefer. Please note that the prices inside are more expensive.
If you want to bring your own meal, that's totally possible too.
How long to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
It will depend on what you want to do. The essential is the visit of the Abbey, for this count about 2 hours of visit. There are also museums to visit and a tour of the city by the ramparts to do.
To have a nice overview of the place during a first visit, plan a day.
If you want to add activities such as a hike or a microlight flight, count half a day per activity.
How much does entry to Mont-Saint-Michel cost?
Good news: entry to the Mont-Saint-Michel enclosure is for free ! Once inside, you can walk around freely. Museums, toilets and other shops and restaurants are chargeable.
Activities to do at Mont-Saint-Michel
After having addressed these important practical points, let's get to the heart of the matter: what are the activities to do to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
They are relatively numerous. Indeed, Mont-Saint-Michel can be visited and discovered in different ways. We will immediately see the main activities to do in Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Take a walk in Mont-Saint-Michel
- Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Take a hike in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Visit the museums of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Horseback riding in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Fly over Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay in a microlight
- Take a walk in the salt meadows around Mont-Saint-Michel
Take a walk in Mont-Saint-Michel
The first thing to do to discover Mont-Saint-Michel is to walk through its steep little streets and take the path to go around the ramparts. You will discover charming alleys, small hidden houses, beautiful gardens and on the way up, you can enjoy an exceptional view of the bay.
Do not hesitate to leave the main axes. Mont-Saint-Michel is not very big, you will quickly find your way!
Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel
After soaking up the atmosphere of this place, I invite you not to miss the visit to the Abbey. This architectural gem is absolutely sublime, both outside and inside. It still holds many secrets. Built over the centuries, you can admire the changes in architectural styles.
Practical advice: You must reserve your entry in advance on the internet (you can buy your tickets directly at the tourist office in Mont-Saint-Michel, but the queue is endless! I do not recommend so this option).
Book your visit to the Abbey of Mont-Saint-MichelWhen making your reservation, you will need to select a day and time of visit. You will also have the option of choosing additional options such as an audio guide or a book on the routes.
Abbey opening hours:
- From January to April: open from 9:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
- From May to August: open from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m.
- From September to December: open from 9:30 a.m. to 18 p.m.
- Closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25
- Please note that the last entry is 1 hour before closing.
Take a hike in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
Heart-stopper
Our favorite activity at Mont-Saint-Michel: hiking in the bay! We had opted for a 3 hour outing with a guide. It was an extremely interesting and playful moment. Our guide knew the region perfectly well and gave us some of its secrets. We were able to learn many historical elements about Mont-Saint-Michel (I tell you the history of Mont-Saint-Michel a little later in this article), its construction, its environment, the ecological problems linked to the tides, …
In short, a truly enriching moment. Not to mention the fact that we walked for 3 hours in the bay, barefoot! We go from one texture to another, from slippery, muddy sand to hard, dry sand. We cross rivers, we discover quicksand, local fauna, ... If you have the opportunity to try this experience, do it with your eyes closed, it's a treat and it allows you to see Mont-Saint -Michel from another angle and to get away from the tourist influx for a while.
Hiking in the Bay of Mont-Saint-MichelBook your guided hike in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel with an experienced guide. A discovery of 3 hours, barefoot, between nature, history and tranquility. See prices
Visit the museums of Mont-Saint-Michel
They are 4 in number within the walls of Mont-Saint-Michel. You have the possibility to buy a pass for these 4 museums. These are small museums that you can do one after the other. Various themes are approached such as the sea and ecology, the history of the monks who built this Abbey, the residence of a knight from the region (Bertrand du Guesclin) or even a final museum, the Archeoscope, which combines history and new technologies, to offer you an original and fun visit!
Book your pass for the 4 museums of Mont-Saint-MichelHorseback riding in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
We didn't have a chance to do this hike, but we heard a lot of good things about it. Having done the walk in the bay, I can tell you that whatever means you choose to move around Mont-Saint-Michel, you will be amazed! The horse adds a very pleasant freedom side. Many equestrian centers offer rides lasting a few hours or even several days, such as this one: Club La Tanière in Moidrey.
Fly over Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay in a microlight
Heart-stopper
A second activity that we particularly appreciated to discover this magical place: a microlight flight over the Bay and Mont-Saint-Michel. From the air, the view is breathtaking. You can see the delimitation between the salt meadows, the Mont and the sands all around. It is easy to guess the movements of the water, the small streams, … This activity is also perfect for admiring the sunset.
Departures are from Avranches aerodrome. You have the choice for the duration of the flight: from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Personally, we opted for a 20-25 minute flight and that was more than enough to get us to Mont-Saint-Michel and back. Longer flights allow you to go further into the bay.
Remember to book in advance, especially if you want to try the experience during the summer school holidays!
Discover Mont-Saint-Michel with a microlight flight!Take a walk in the salt meadows around Mont-Saint-Michel
To finish on the activities to do to visit Mont-Saint-Michel, I invite you to take a walk in the salt meadows in front of Mont-Saint-Michel. You have an exceptional view of the Abbey, with natural scenery, huge meadows and their sheep.
Where to sleep to visit Mont-Saint-Michel
As we have seen previously, there are many things to see and do in Mont-Saint-Michel! You may therefore spend more than one day there. The question of housing will therefore arise. Several options are possible: first of all, know that it is possible to stay inside Mont-Saint-Michel; you can also leave the small town and go to the surrounding towns, where there are many guest rooms, lodges, hotels, campsites, etc.
Here is a suggestion of establishments to stay in and around Mont-Saint-Michel:
Auberge Saint-Pierre
Located inside the Mont-Saint-Michel itself, this small inn has an incredible charm with its exposed beams. You can also request a room with a view of the bay. Please note that some rooms are located in another building accessible via stairs. View, Location, Hospitality See rates
Hermitage Mont Saint Michel
If you want to treat yourself, here is the ideal accommodation. The standard is high, located not far from Mont-Saint-Michel and with very charming suites. The bedding is comfortable and the owners are very friendly. Some suites even have a small balcony. Location, Restaurant, Reception See prices
Gate Manor
To end this selection in style, I offer you an absolutely charming guest room! A fully renovated mansion, classic and trendy decoration all in a quiet environment. This property is located approximately 40 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel and 20 minutes from Avranches. Decoration, Welcome, Calm See the prices
Of course, there are many establishments around Mont-Saint-Michel. There is something for all tastes and all prices. Do not hesitate to share your discoveries and advice with us in the comments. Find more accommodation on our article dedicated to accommodation around Mont-Saint-Michel.
Visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris
Previously, we discussed the question of how to come to Mont-Saint-Michel. One possibility has not been mentioned: come and visit Mont-Saint-Michel thanks to an excursion from Paris. This offer is intended for people wishing to visit only this tourist site and not the surrounding area.
This excursion includes transport from Paris by bus, a stop en route in a typical village and access to the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with an audio guide in French.
It will take 145€ per person to be able to take advantage of this activity.
| Excursion from Paris Book your excursion to visit Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris. Entrance to the Abbey and audio-guide in French included. |
€145 | Buy |
History of Mont-Saint-Michel
Now that you have all the cards in hand to organize your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, here is a brief overview of the history of this splendid building as well as the few environmental issues that weigh on this very special geographical area.
The beginnings of the construction of Mont-Saint-Michel
It was at the beginning of the XNUMXth century that the construction of this building began, on the orders of Bishop Aubert. This one saw apparitions of Saint-Michel on several occasions in his dreams. The latter asked him to erect a small chapel (on the mountain where the current Mont-Saint-Michel is located) so that the faithful could come and honor him.
The bishop remained dubious following the requests made by the archangel. Finally, the legend says that Saint-Michel went directly to inscribe this idea inside the very head of the bishop thanks to a finger of fire. This would explain the hole found in the back of Bishop Aubert's skull.
Today, the relic of this bishop is inside Notre-Dame-Sous-Terre, a small crypt dating from the initial construction of the Abbey.
Mont-Saint-Michel over the centuries
Very quickly, Mont-Saint-Michel became a place of pilgrimage. It was enlarged to meet the growing demand of pilgrims. Given the complexity of the terrain, the stones had to be cut one by one. A titanic job!
Probably the most remarkable building, “La Merveille”. This is the large Gothic building built in the early 1200s on the northern facade of Mont-Saint-Michel. It is built on 3 floors. In this building is located, among other things, the magnificent cloister of the Abbey with its breathtaking view of the bay.
The site was transformed into a real fortress in the XNUMXth century. Ramparts and towers appear to defend this site.
Then, various historical events forced the occupants to rebuild, modify or expand this site. Today, during your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, you can see that many architectural styles rub shoulders and testify to the historical richness of this place.
Mont-Saint-Michel nowadays
Today, the issues around Mont-Saint-Michel relate to the environment and the preservation of this architectural gem. It was weakened by various elements such as the reclamation of the surroundings or the construction of a dyke, modifying the natural cycle of the tides.
Once these problems were identified, arrangements were made to limit the spread of salt marshes, which would have completely surrounded Mont-Saint-Michel by 2030.
Among the most important works, there is the bridge leading you to Mont-Saint-Michel: it was designed so that it does not intervene in the daily tide phenomena by simply leaving the rising tide passing under (and over) the bridge.
Another construction has emerged, it is a dam on the Couesnon, the river arriving in the Bay. This dam makes it possible to "clean" the surroundings of Mont-Saint-Michel by expelling the sediments which accumulate around it. When the tide rises, the valves close to conserve a certain amount of water. Once the tide has gone out, the sluices are opened to create a "flush" effect. To give you an idea, when the floodgates are open, up to 150 m3 of water per second are released into the Bay.
For the moment, the Mont-Saint-Michel is preserved. On the other hand, the problem is shifted because the evacuated sediments are in fact pushed further and form mounds of sand.
To conclude, Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay are also an exceptional refuge for many species of migratory birds. Between August and December, up to 1500 different species of birds come to nest in the Bay. An exceptional ornithological richness!
Note in passing that Mont-Saint-Michel has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
My opinion on a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel
I hope you have enjoyed this article and will make you want to discover or rediscover this magnificent place! Personally, there are things that I appreciated a lot and others a little less.
I loved the hike in the bay. It's a truly unique moment, with very nice sensations and a magnificent view of Mont-Saint-Michel. Our guide was great and the weather was on point. On the other hand, the very center of this small town is completely saturated with tourists, which makes the visit and the taking of photos less pleasant.
The abbey is very pretty and definitely worth a visit.
In conclusion of this visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, for me it is a must to visit at least once in your life. On the other hand, if you have already visited the center and the Abbey, I advise you rather to opt for more original visits and leaving the too touristy axes. I am thinking in particular of hiking in the bay, whether on foot or on horseback, or even flying over in a microlight.
