Mont Saint-Michel Complete Guide - All You Need To Know (2024)

You’ve probably seen a picture of Mont Saint-Michel, one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. This tiny island in Normandy lies only around 1 kilometre off the mainland and has only 50 inhabitants.

Mont Saint-Michel has a rich history which dates back to the 9th century. It lies sheltered in a large bay, which causes its tides to be very shallow. A bridge connects Mont Saint-Michel to the mainland, which makes it convenient to visit even when the weather isn’t the best.

On the island, the most prominent landmark is the Mont Saint-Michel abbey, which was constructed in 966.

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The island looks so surreal and can be seen even from miles away. There is no entree fee or need to book tickets, which makes Mont Saint-Michel a great location for budget-conscious travellers.

If you’re not travelling on a budget, you can even choose to stay in a hotel right on Mont Saint-Michel. Don’t miss out, and add Mont Saint-Michel to your bucket list. You won’t be disappointed.

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Where is Mont Saint-Michel in France?

Mont Saint-Michel lies in the western part of the French Normandy on the border to Brittany. It takes just over four hours to drive there from Paris, although Rennes is the closest larger city in the area.

The island lies sheltered in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, which gives it unique weather conditions despite being exposed to the rough weather of the Atlantic Ocean.

The island is largely surrounded by agricultural lands and pastures which makes it stand out all the more. With its rural location and small villages, the mainland seems to still be largely untouched by the mass tourism that Mont Saint-Michel experiences.

History of Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel has a rich and complicated history. The first buildings on the island were constructed in the 8th century. Originally named Mont-Tombe, the name Mont Saint-Michel soon became dominant as the bishop of Avranches had a vision of the archangel St.Micheal and was compelled to start construction for an abbey on the island.

The Mont Saint-Michel abbey was constructed in 966 after which the island became a popular pilgrimage site. It was severely damaged in 1203 when the French King Philip II tried to recapture it.

Mont Saint-Michel was used as a fortress during multiple wars and even turned into a prison under the rule of Napoleon. Restoration began in 1874 and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

The island is an almost perfect circle with a diameter of just over 900 meters. Due to the tidal conditions, it is actually not an island most of the time and is only surrounded by water during the highest tide.

The original bridge to Mont Saint-Michel was built in the late 19th century. In 2014 they replaced it with a more modern one that is accessible to pedestrians.

The old bridge (or causeway as it is called) caused problems with the build-up of silt along the bay, which considerably altered the sandbanks between Mont Saint-Michel and the mainland. The new bridge is meant to prevent this problem and discourage people from attempting to drive onto the unstable mudflat.

Roughly 2.5 million people visit Mont Saint-Michel and its bay every year.

Where to stay close to Mont Saint-Michel

There is a good selection of bed and breakfasts and hotels in the surrounding area. These will be cheaper than staying directly on Mont Saint-Michel, however, you’ll be a bit further away.

The Le Relais Mont Saint-Michel is the closest hotel on the mainland and is located right by the start of the bridge. It can be pricey, but we had such a wonderful stay here that we immediately booked it again when we returned to the area six months later. The service was exceptional, and our room even had a view of Mont Saint-Michel.

If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, have a look at hotels in the surrounding villages such as Les Salles, Pontorson, La Grève, or Le Bas de Saint-Georges. The area is unfortunately quite expensive, but you can check out Chambre Le Salles for a more budget-conscious option, even though it’s quite basic accommodation.

Note that you’re going to need a car if you’re staying in any of the villages I named above. In any case, it will be quite difficult to see Mont Saint-Michel without a car or at least a bike. You and find more information on how to get there below.

You can also choose to stay at a campsite close to Mont Saint-Michel, with several different options available. My favourite is Camping du Mont Saint-Michel, which is right by the foot of the bridge and you’ll be able to walk to the island without needing a car. It offers campsites starting at 15 € per night, which is extremely cheap. You absolutely need to pre-book, as this place sells out very quickly during the summer. The same goes for the hotels, obviously.

Can you stay inside Mont Saint-Michel?

If you’re not concerned about your budget you can book a hotel right on Mont Saint-Michel. There are a number of small hotels on the island, which can be perfect if you want to see everything in the early morning, away from the tourist crowds.

Look into the hotels: Les Terrasses Poulard, Hôtel la Croix Blanche, Auberge Saint Pierre, and La Mère Poulard if you’d like to stay on the island.

The Auberge Saint Pierre is a clear favourite, and although it’s not the most affordable, the price is definitely worth it. Our one night there was absolutely incredible and an experience I’ll never forget.

When is the best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel?

As with every tourist attraction, you need to come early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds. During the summer months, you’ll also want to make sure you’re not exposed to the sun, which gets quite strong during mid-day.

So if you’re planning to walk to the island, try to go early. Make sure to pre-book tickets to the Mont Saint-Michel abbey during popular times and watch out for the weather. Seeing Mont Saint-Michel on a day with sunny weather will considerably improve your experience.

You’ll definitely have more fun at Mont Saint-Michel in summer, although this is also the busiest time. The shoulder season of April to May and September to October can be a great choice to avoid the heat and crowds. The island is definitely still worth visiting in winter, although you’ll have to prepare yourself for the cold.

Mont Saint-Michel tides

You can see Mont Saint-Michel during both the high and low tides. The only time when the island is inaccessible is during the spring tides when Mont Saint-Michel truly becomes an island.

With up to 15 meters difference, this is the highest spring tide in all of Europe. The island is inaccessible for around 1.5 hours during the spring tides, which occur twice per month.

Watch out for the weather as high winds can affect the tides on Mont Saint-Michel greatly.

During low tide, you can walk out onto the mudflats around the island, although you need to be careful not to go too far as the water can come in quickly and unexpectedly.

Do you need tickets to visit Mont Saint-Michel?

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is completely free. You only have to pay for parking.

If you want to visit the abbey on Mont Saint-Michel, you need to buy tickets, though. You should buy these in advance online if you’re visiting during the high season.

That way, you can avoid the lines and guarantee that you can get a spot, which is highly recommended. Of course, you can also buy tickets to the abbey on Mont Saint-Michel on arrival. Regular adult tickets cost 13€. Entry is free for European citizens under the age of 26 and anyone under the age of 18.

Mont Saint-Michel opening hours

Mont Saint-Michel itself has no opening hours and can be accessed around the clock. The abbey is open from10:00 AM to 17:00 PMin the low season (November to March) and9:30 AM to 18:30 PMApril to June, as well as September. In October, the abbey is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and from July to August from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Sunday hours might differ

Remember to book your tickets in advance to really enjoy this highlight of Mont Saint-Michel. During the summer months, you can see a light display in the abbey in the late evenings. Last admission is always one hour before closing time.

The abbey is open every day except January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th due to public holidays. Be aware of the spring tides at Mont Saint-Michel when the entire island is inaccessible for a few hours.

How to get to Mont Saint-Michel

The best way to get to Mont Saint-Michel is by car, which will allow you to drive right to the beginning of the bridge that leads to the island. You can also arrive by train and then get a shuttle from the train station in Pontorson.

Can you drive to Mont Saint Michel?

You cannot drive onto the island with your own car. The entire area around the bridge is gated which makes it nearly impossible to even get close to the island by car.

You can park your car at designated parking areas and then either take the free shuttle bus or walk to Mont Saint-Michel.

How long does it take to walk to Mont Saint-Michel?

It takes around 30 to 45 minutes to walk to Mont Saint-Michel from the car park. If you have one, you can take your bike to make the journey quicker.

Where can you park close to Mont Saint-Michel?

Parking at the bridge costs12€ for 24 hoursduring the low seasonand25€ during the high season. Parking is free after 6:30 PM until 3:00 AM in the low season, and the fees for campervans are generally slightly higher than for cars.

If you’re staying in a hotel on Mont Saint-Michel you will get access to a special car park.

This parking lot might be expensive, but it’s definitely the best place to park close to Mont Saint-Michel. There are various unofficial places to park slightly further away by the roadside, which can also be an option if you manage to get a spot and don’t mind walking a bit longer.

It is not technically prohibited to park there, but you could still be risking a fine. See more information on this under the headingIs there another way of seeing Mont Saint-Michel?below.

Next to the parking lot, you’ll find the Mont-Saint Michel tourist information centre, where you can pick up helpful leaflets and have a look at a small exhibit about the island and its geography.

The free shuttle buses

Mont Saint-Michel offers free passeur shuttle buses that take you from the car park to the island. They run regularly from 7:30 AM to midnight and take around 12 minutes. Outside of these times, you can call a shuttle bus at+33 (0)2 14 13 20 15to pick you up. Keep an eye out for signage for more information.

Horse-drawn carriages are available to take you to the island for around 7€. As always, we atGuide Your Traveldo not encourage you to support tourist attractions that exploit animals. Why not choose the free shuttle instead?

What to bring on your trip to Mont Saint-Michel

Make sure to bring plenty of water if you’re visiting Mont Saint-Michel during the summer months. Even if you’re not walking there, you’ll be climbing lots of stairs on the island. Naturally, buying anything there will be expensive so you’ll be glad if you’ve at least got some water with you.

There are a handful of restaurants available on Mont Saint-Michel, but they’ll be expensive and crowded. If you can you should prepare a small picnic to take with you or at least some snacks.

It goes without saying that you should be taking your camera with you when you visit this amazing place. It’s the perfect photo opportunity. Don’t forget to pack some sunscreen. There is next to no shade on the walk to the island.

The weather on Mont Saint-Michel and the walk there can be very different from the mainland. If it’s not very hot you should pack an extra jacket as the wind is very strong. Watch out for the weather forecast when you visit Mont Saint-Michel.

How long does it take to visit Mont Saint-Michel?

You can spend at least 3 to 4 hours on Mont Saint-Michel if you plan to see everything, including the abbey, and have a lunch break. Then add another 1.5 hours if you’re planning on walking both ways.

Short on time? It’s definitely possible to see the island in around 1.5 hours if you skip the abbey and just walk around for a bit. Add 30 minutes for taking the shuttle both ways, and you could be in and out in 2 hours.

Is there another way of seeing Mont Saint-Michel?

While the interior of Mont Saint-Michel is beautiful and definitely worth seeing, it looks the most impressive from further away. To get the best view of Mont Saint-Michel you should go somewhere along the coast of the mainland to really see the entire bay.

There is no official place to do this, and you’ll have to be lucky to find a parking spot, but it’s really worth it.

There are multiple small parking bays along the main road (marked on the map below). If you come early you can park there for free and then walk across the pastures towards the shore.

Most of these pastures are fenced in, and you’ll occasionally have to climb a small fence. It is definitely a little adventurous, but worth it to get that perfect photo.

During low tides, you can also choose to walk into the mudflats from either the mainland or the island. Be very careful when attempting this. The tides can rise quickly and unexpectedly at Mont Saint-Michel, and even during low tide there are many waterholes and even quicksand.

The local police regularly have to rescue tourists who venture too far into the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Use your common sense, and don’t go too far.

There are guided tours and even horseback riding available if you want to see the mudflats safely.

What can you see on the island?

Mont Saint-Michel is made up of many tiny alleyways, stairwells, and ancient houses. There are a number of hotels on the island as well as a small number of restaurants and cafes. Of course, you’ll find the obligatory tourist shops selling souvenirs.

Around 30 people actually live on Mont Saint-Michel, which means there are also actual houses scattered among the tourist locations. Make sure you’re respectful of the locals’ privacy.

The main attraction in Mont Saint-Michel is the abbey, which marks the highest point of the island. There is also a lookout point, a small museum, and a cemetery as well as another little church. Plenty to explore.

Mont Saint-Michel FAQ

Before you go…

You’re ready to explore the beautiful island of Mont Saint-Michel, and we think you might enjoy our other guides to visiting France.

Check out our article about must-try snacks and foods from Brittany, our guide to visiting Saint Emilion close to Bordeaux, and our complete breakdown of how much camping in France for two weeks costs.

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