Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel is a must if you’re heading through northwest France. The magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site is perched on the top of a tidal island, with a gravity-defying abbey and spectacular bay. Discover how to get there, the best time to visit and what to see in this Mont-Saint-Michel travel guide.

The ultimate guide to visiting Mont-Saint-Michel, France

About Mont-Saint-Michel

In 708 AD the Bishop of Avranches constructed an oratory dedicated to the Saint Michael archangel and retrieved archangel relics. By 966 AD, the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey had become a renowned pilgrimage site and where Benedictine monks would reside. It later became a fortress and a prison during the reign of King Louis XI. Restoration began in 1922 with pilgrimages resumed by 1966.

Mont-Saint-Michel gained monument status in 1862 and UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 1979. Today 3.5 million visitors visit each year, captivated by this iconic site and its Roman and Gothic influences. There’s plenty on offer too from the unique Mont-Saint-Michel abbey to the Eglise Saint Pierre chapel and the charming medieval town.

How to get to Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay are located in Normandy, France near Avranches at the mouth of the Couesnon River. We’ve driven to Mont-Saint-Michel from the UK via Eurotunnel from Calais en route to Brittany. It is also accessible from Paris and Rennes by road, train, or bus.

Visiting by road from Calais, Paris or Rennes

If you drive from the UK to France via Eurotunnel, Mont-Saint-Michel is around 4.5 hours from Calais. From the terminal, you can take the A16 followed by the A28/E402, A29, A13/E46 and A84 to La Chaussée/D43 in Céaux. Take exit D40 to Le Mont-Saint-Michel from the N175 and continue on D43 to Pontorson.

From Paris, take the A13 and A84 to La Chaussée/D43 in Céaux, head off exit D40 Le Mont-Saint-Michel from the N175 and continue on the D43 to Pontorson. Paris is c.375 kilometres from Mont-Saint-Michel. If you’re visiting from Paris, check out this list of fun things to do. The journey from Rennes takes just over an hour via the D175, D975 and D776 to Pontorson. Mont-Saint-Michel is a two-hour drive from Nantes.

From Paris or Rennes by train and shuttle or bus

Between June and the end of September, you can leave Paris from Gare Montparnasse and get off at Pontorson. It’s around 9 kilometres from Pontorson to Mont-Saint-Michel and a shuttle bus operates. From October until the end of May, take a train to Mont-Saint-Michel via Villedieu-les-Poêles. A bus runs between the two. Alternatively, you can travel from Paris-Monparnasse station to Rennes and catch a bus from the bus station.

Car hire

Car hire is another option for a day trip to Mont-Saint-Michel or heading to other parts of Normandy and Brittany. There are various care hire companies in France including Europcar, Hertz and SIXT. It’s always worth shopping around, including on car hire comparison websites, ideally before you leave, to get the best deal.

Parking and shuttle services

Mont-Saint Michel is surrounded by a bay and boasts one of the world’s greatest tidal ranges so access is limited. Parking is available on the mainland, around a mile from the mount. From there, you can reach Mont-Saint-Michel by foot or take a shuttle bus. If you’re walking, there are three footpaths – la Lisière, les Berges du Couesnon and the central route. Walking takes around 40 to 50 minutes each way. Alternatively, the ‘passeur’ shuttle bus is a free service and runs between the car parks and Mont-Saint-Michel every 12 minutes. More information on how to get to Mont-Saint-Michel (including parking costs) is here.

Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel

Opening times and best time to visit

Mont-Saint-Michel is open from 9am to 7pm between May and August and 9:30am to 6pm between September and April. The best time to visit is from May to September, if possible avoiding July and August which are peak months. Head to Mont-Saint-Michel earlier in the morning or visit during the week rather than at the weekend.

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey tickets

The last entry to the Mont-Saint-Michael Abbey is an hour before closing and 1.5 hours for groups. Tickets for entry to the Abbey cost from €13 or €17.99 if an immersive night show is included. Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey tickets with a guided tour cost from €18 with under 18’s are free of charge. More information is available here.

Tidal schedule

Mont-Saint-Michel has the highest tide in Continental Europe with up to 15 metres difference between high and low tide. As the tide rises quickly, check the tide schedule before arriving and going for a walk locally. The Mont-Saint-Michel Bay reaches the Sée, Sélune and Couesnon rivers. During high tide, the water covers the esplanade between the bridge and the village entrances making Mont-Saint-Michel an island. The Mont-Saint-Michel tidal schedule is here.

Events and festivals

Throughout the summer, various events and festivals are held at Mont-Saint Michel. Discover the Abbey by night at Les Nocturnes de l’Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel (5th July to the 31st August 2024). Explore the natural spaces and shores with Les Belles Decouvertes au Mont-Saint-Michel Balade Grand Air (18th and 25th July, 1st, 8th and 15th August 2024). Enjoy an evening on the bank of the Couesnon and along the salt meadows with Les Belles Decourvertes au Mont-Saint-Michel Soiree Coucher Soleil (23rd July 2024). Or discover the isle of Tombelaine with torches and lanterns with the Traversee aux Flambeaux et Lampions (13th August). Find more events and exhibitions here.

Things to see and do

Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey was built over 1,300 years ago and stands on a granite inlet. It’s a remarkable example of medieval architecture with a tiered structure that is 35 metres high with 16 buttresses. Over time reconstructions have been in Gothic style but the Abbey’s nave reflects its Romanesque architecture. The Abbey is located at the top of the Mont-Saint-Michel which is around 350 steps in total.

There are breathtaking views from the West Terrace of the Abbey from the Pointe du Grouin to Granville. Opening onto the English Channel, you can see the Chausey archipelago and the Tombelaine islet on a clear day. There are salt meadow sheep and plant species land side with seals and dolphins sea side. The West Terrace also provides remarkable views of the church, cloister bays and spire. Why not stroll through the gallery and admire the finely sculpted work, garden and its columns?

Mont-Saint-Michel medieval village

The Mont-Saint-Michel village is a real commune with a mayor, priest, postman, policemen and residents. The main street through the medieval village is Grande Rue with the smallest street Ruelle des cocus (Cuckold’s Alley). The North Tower a fantastic vantage point from to see the tidal bore. At the top of the village are the Pilgrim’s House, St Peter’s Church, and the Croix de Jérusalem forecourt. Around half the village is free of buildings and has small enclosed gardens that can be seen from the ramparts, alleyways and steps. Gabriel Tower is on the west of the island.

Museums

There are four museums on the island – the Maritime Museum, Archéoscope, Logis Tiphaine and the Historical Museum. The Maritime Museum has a collection of 250 antique model ships and helps visitors understand the tidal phenomenon. Archéoscope is a multi-media show that retraces the history of the island from its geological formation to today.

The 14th-century Logis Tiphaine includes furniture, tapestries and armour from the medieval period. You can discover how a medieval knight lived and there is an astrology study of Tiphaine de Raguenel. The Historical Museum retraces the history of Mont-Saint-Michel through wax figures representing the prisons of the abbey with a reconstruction of the dungeons and cells.

Accommodation options

If you’re looking for Mont-Saint-Michel accommodation, there are overnight options. The benefit of staying on the island is that you get to enjoy it after the crowds have dispersed. There are several hotels situated along the Grand Rue and the only B&B in the village which dates back to the 14th century. There are also hotels situated near the shuttle departure point and further afield. For example; the Château de Chantore is just under 7 miles away, Château de Boucéel – Mont Saint Michel (8.2 miles) and Chambres d’Hotes Le 1900 (12 miles). Prices vary depending on location, accommodation type and facilities but typically upward of c.£200 per night.

Where to eat and drink

There are various places to grab a drink and a bite to eat on Mont-Saint-Michel. These include La Terrasse de la Mère Poulard, La Fringale, Le Petit Breton, La Belle Normande, Le Café Gourmand, La Coquille and Mont Burger. There are also hotels with restaurants like Auberge de La Mère Poulard, Auberge Saint-Pierre, La Croix Blanche, Le Du Guesclin, Le Mouton Blanc and La Vieille Auberge.

Other attractions

If you are looking to explore more of the area, Granville offers fantastic views of Mont-Saint-Michel. The seaside resort has a fishing port, a medieval town and a museum dedicated to Christian Dior. You can also catch a ferry or sail from here to the Chausey Islands which are 15 kilometres away. Alternatively, Scriptorial, around 25 kilometres from Mont-Saint-Michel, is an interactive museum. You can meet monk copyists and discover secret manuscripts over a thousand years old.

I hope you found this guide useful, we love visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch