If you’re planning to visit Mont Saint Michel France, this is what you need to know before you go. From how to get there and where to park, to the best time to go, what it’s actually like once you’re inside and understanding how the tides work. We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know so you can plan it properly, avoid the usual mistakes and tips that most people don’t talk about.
Why visit Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is located in Normandy in the north of France, and it’s one of the most visited places in the country.
It’s famous for its abbey that sits right at the top, and the fact that it’s surrounded by water at high tide and sand at low tide. People come here for the views, the history, and to walk through the medieval streets all the way up to the abbey.
How to get there (car vs tour vs public transport)
There are a few ways to get to Mont Saint Michel. The easiest way is by car, either your own or a rental. It just gives you the most flexibility, especially if you’re exploring more of Normandy. If you don’t have your own car, this is the tool we use to rent a car.
Another option is booking a tour from Paris. These usually include your transport there and back, plus your abbey ticket, and you can choose between a guided visit or just exploring on your own.
If you prefer public transport, it is possible, just a bit longer. You can take a train from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes, and then a Keolis Armor bus from Rennes to Mont Saint-Michel. It drops you near the shuttle stop that takes you to the island. The whole journey takes around three hours.
Arrival Experience (parking & shuttle vs walking)
When you arrive, there’s paid parking just outside Mont Saint-Michel. There are multiple parking areas, from P1 to P13, and the closest ones are P1, P2, P3, P4, P9, P10 and P11. For reference, we paid just under 20 euros for about four hours.
From there, you have two options to get to the island. You can either take the free shuttle bus, called Le Passeur, or walk.
The shuttle runs every 8 minutes from around 7:30 in the morning until midnight, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll find it at Place des Navettes near the main parking areas.
Walking takes around 40 minutes, but honestly, this is what we recommend if you can. The views as you get closer are really worth it.
What we’d suggest is walking there, and then taking the shuttle back when you’re more tired or if you’ve picked up anything along the way. You can catch the return bus from Le Barrage, which is just a couple of minutes from the entrance to the village.
Just keep in mind that during peak times (10-12 am & 4-6 pm) and high season, the lines for the shuttle can get very long, so it can end up taking more time than expected. We arrived at around 13:45 and left at 5 pm. The time we arrived was perfect because it wasn’t peak time anymore and we didn’t wait long at all. However, we do suggest leaving a little bit later, after 6, to avoid the crowds.
You’ve arrived, now what?
As you walk through the entrance, you’ll find yourself in a long, narrow street that people often compare to Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. There’s no official link, but it definitely has that same kind of feel.
Along here, you’ll see lots of souvenir shops, but there are shops all over Mont Saint-Michel. So we’d suggest waiting until the end of your visit to buy anything. That way you can see all your options. It’s usually a bit quieter later in the day since most people start leaving between 4 and 6, and the shops don’t close until 6.
From here, just keep making your way up towards the abbey. Along the way, there are lots of nice little spots to stop, views looking up at the abbey, small side streets, and a few really good viewpoints.
One we recommend is near the Tour du Nord, by the Pilgrim House. From here, you get a great view out over the sand, and you’ll often see people walking out there.
Those are guided tours, which is the safest way to explore the sand. The area can actually be dangerous because of the tides, the shifting ground, and even quicksand. If you do book a tour, it’s a good idea to wear pants you can roll up and bring a small towel for your feet.
And if you see a group of people all standing close together looking down at the ground, they’re usually being shown how the quicksand works.
Also, after you visit the abbey, we recommend coming back to this area so you can walk along the walls as you make your way back down towards the entrance.
Exploring the Abbey
The Abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel which, like we mentioned, is the main highlight of the island, and it’s right at the very top. To get there, you’ll walk through the village and go up about 350 steps. It can be a bit hectic but there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take a quick break.
It was first built in 708 AD after a bishop said the archangel Michael told him to build a church here. Over time, it became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. Later on, during the French Revolution, it was even used as a prison. As you can imagine it was an ideal solution, because of the dangerous tides and quicksand, it wasn’t easy for the prisoners to escape.
Buying tickets to the Abbey
A ticket is 13€, and once you’re inside, it’s not just one space. You’re moving through different rooms and levels built on top of each other, all the way up to the top. We highly recommend booking your tickets online ahead of time.
What to expect inside
At the very top, you’ll reach the main church. It’s much simpler than you might expect, not very ornate, but with high ceilings and lots of natural light coming in. We noticed there were some old miniature ships hanging by some of the windows. These were offerings by sailors to ask for protection on their voyage or as gratitude for surviving the dangerous tides.
The most memorable part is the cloister, which is the open-air garden. This is the one with the thin pillars and arches. This was one of our favourite parts of the abbey, it’s nice to see some greenery and natural light in between all the stone walls. We liked to imagine the monks walking and praying and harvesting medicinal herbs they would grow there for the community’s daily needs.
As you walk through the Abbey, you’ll also pass through long halls and open terraces, and every now and then you get views out over the sea. The most noticeable was the one right before you go into the church.
At the end, spend some time looking around the gift shop. We thought they had the most beautiful things from handmade Christmas ornaments, medieval accessories, tapestries, wines, cookbooks… definitely worth having a look.
The whole experience feels a bit like a maze, and we highly recommend getting tickets to the Abbey.
Where to eat in Mont Saint Michel
There are quite a few restaurants in Mont Saint-Michel, but overall, we noticed that many of them don’t have the best ratings, which is why we personally haven’t tried them.
What we usually do instead, since we have visited Mont Saint Michel before, is pick up something from a bakery on the way, like quiche and pastries, and either eat before we arrive or while we’re there. Then after the visit, we find a nice place for dinner nearby.
The first time we came, we actually ate in the area just one stop before the parking, called La Caserne, a visitor area with hotels and restaurants. We had moules frites at La Salicorne, and they were really good, plus it’s a must since it’s a very typical dish from Normandy. Just keep in mind, you don’t get views of the island from here.
If you do want a nice view to end your visit, and you have a car, we’d really recommend stopping in the town of Avranches. There’s a viewpoint in the public gardens called Jardin des Plantes, where you get a really beautiful view over the surrounding landscape with Mont Saint-Michel in the background.
Understanding the Tides
At Mont Saint-Michel, the tides are a big part of the experience, but it’s actually very simple. The sea comes in and out twice a day. At low tide, the water goes far out and you’ll see a huge stretch of sand, and you can easily walk to the island. At high tide, the water comes all the way back in and surrounds it, which is when it looks like the classic island you’ve probably seen in photos.
The exact times change every day, so it’s worth checking the tide schedule before you go (link in the description). If you want those iconic views, come around high tide. If you want to explore more easily or walk around the bay, low tide is better. And if you time it right and stay a few hours, you can actually see the water come in or go out.
Even at high tide, you can still access the island using the bridge, so you won’t get stuck. Just keep in mind the water comes in very fast, so don’t walk out onto the sand unless you’re with a guide.
Where to stay in Mont Saint-Michel
Budget-friendly stays…
- Aux Chambres du Mont – with a view of Mont Saint-Michel.
Medium budget stays…
- Hotel Rose – beautiful manor on the water, 4km from Mont Saint-Michel.
- La Jacotière – Beautiful hotel at the visitor area in La Caserne Ardevon.
Luxury stays…
- Auberge Saint Pierre – hotel inside the island of Mont Saint-Michel.
- Les Vieilles Digues – Breton style B&B, 4km from Mont Saint-Michel.
Related Reads You’ll Love…
If you’re thinking about doing a road trip inNormandy, we have a full blog post. We share our favourite destinations you cannot miss (Étretat, Honfleur, Mont Saint Michel, Avranches…), our top tips, and how you can avoid the same mistakes we did.
If you’re looking for more ideas on where to go in France, make sure to check out our blog post “8Top French Holiday Destinations” for some seriously beautiful spots. Or, if you’re more of a road trip type of traveler, check out our post TOP 7 EPIC FRENCHROAD TRIPS you can do in under 10 days. And if the south of France is on your list, don’t miss our full French Riviera Road Trip, packed with dreamy stops and practical tips.
Traveling on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Head over to our Top Budget Travel Hacks to learn how to plan the trip of your dreams without spending a fortune.
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