If you’re heading to France, I highly recommend including a visit to Mont Saint-Michel, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. This medieval island, crowned by its imposing abbey, rises dramatically from the bay like something out of a fairytale. Watching it appear on the horizon as you approach is an impressive sight and an experience you won’t forget.
Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Where is Mont Saint-Michel?
Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island off the Normandy coast in northern France. Set in a bay where Normandy meets Brittany, it has been a major pilgrimage site since the 8th century and is now one of France’s most visited landmarks, welcoming around 3 million visitors each year. I was lucky enough to be one of those visitors a few summers back and remember the moment I approached. The instantly recognisable abbey towering over the village was an impressive sight, especially when it appeared to float above the water at high tide.
Can you get to Mont Saint-Michel at high tide?
The tides here move fast, transforming the entire landscape surprisingly quickly. Most of the time, the causeway remains accessible, but it’s always worth checking tide times before your visit. At low tide, you can walk across the sands to view the island from a different viewpoint. At high tide, the sea rolls back in, but, Saint-Michel is only completely surrounded by water around 15 times a year when water covers all access to the island for around an hour.
Do You Need Tickets for Mont Saint-Michel?
You’re free to stroll around the village at any time with no ticket or reservation required. But, it’s crowded and if you prefer to walk around in peace, you’ll need to get there very early or wait until the day visitors have gone at the end of the day. If you want to explore the abbey (and you absolutely should), you’ll need to book tickets online in advance. Tickets are sold in timed slots and often sell out, especially during peak season. You can buy them at the entrance, but only if space is still available.
Entry is €13 for adults, and the abbey is open from 9:30 am to 6 pm (September to April) and 9 am to 7 pm (May to August). It’s closed on May 1st, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. It’s also worth noting that combination tickets are available, which allow entry to other attractions in the area at a small discount.
Inside the abbey, you can explore at your own pace with or without an interactive tablet, or opt for a guided tour. In summer, there’s also an evening light show on the abbey grounds. If you’re already there, you won’t need to pay extra, otherwise, you’ll need to buy separate tickets for the event.
Outside the abbey, one of the best ways to see Mont Saint-Michel is to walk around the bay at low tide. But I wouldn’t attempt this alone. The tide comes in fast, and the area is known for its quicksand. You can book a guided walk from the tourist office, located right inside the main gate.
Stroll along the cobbled streets of Mont Saint-Michel
Can you Stay in Mont Saint-Michel?
Yes, you can stay overnight inside Mont Saint-Michel. Once the crowds have left and the sun begins to set over the bay, the island takes on a completely different character. Staying overnight means you can experience the abbey and village at their most peaceful, and if you time it right, you’ll get to see the tides rolling in from the terraces above.
There are several Mont Saint-Michel hotels to choose from, but you will pay top prices. Accommodation and eating options are not cheap and if you’re on a budget, you may want to find other options off the island. Historic spots like Auberge Saint-Pierre and La Vieille Auberge are popular stays in centuries-old buildings, and most hotels have in-house restaurants.
If you’re on a tight budget or the island is fully booked, there are plenty of alternative options on the mainland, including B&Bs, hotels, and private stays. While Airbnb accommodation isn’t available on the island itself, you’ll find a few dotted around nearby. For pilgrims and hikers with a credential or the Pilgrim Passport, the Maison du Pèlerin near the Grand Degré (the long staircase to the abbey) has simple overnight stays.
Where to Eat at Mont Saint-Michel?
If you want to sample the famous regional dishes of omelets or crêpes, the most famous place by far is La Mère Poulard, known worldwide for its fluffy, fire-cooked omelets. It’s more of an experience than a bargain, with omelets starting at around €39. If you’re keen to try it, you’ll want to book in advance, especially in peak season. For crepes, head to Crêperie La Cloche, another authentically Montois restaurant that has been run by the same family since 1663!
If you’re lucky enough to be staying on the island in the evening, Hotel Duguesclin’s restaurant serves a locally sourced menu. Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of more affordable dining options just across the causeway on the mainland, where prices tend to be a bit more down-to-earth. And if you’re on a tight budget, a packed picnic with a view of the bay is a perfectly scenic alternative.
History of Mont-Saint Michel
Mont Saint-Michel’s story is as dramatic as its silhouette against the sea. In 708, Saint-Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches, claimed the archangel Saint-Michel appeared in his dreams three times, urging him to build a sanctuary. Taking a celestial hint, he established an oratory atop the rocky islet, and soon, sacred relics arrived. By the 10th century, Benedictine monks expanded it into a towering abbey, turning Mont Saint-Michel into one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage sites.
But spiritual devotion didn’t shield Mont Saint-Michel from worldly conflicts. Over the centuries, Mont Saint-Michel faced siege, from Breton knights in 1204 to English forces during the Hundred Years’ War. Under Louis XI, it shifted from sanctuary to prison. The abbey housed political prisoners until 1860 when a passionate outcry (including from Victor Hugo) led to its closure. When its doors finally reopened to worship in 1966, the island reclaimed its spiritual roots, with monks and nuns returning to daily prayers.
Even the landscape has changed. A 19th-century causeway helped pilgrims cross, but it also disrupted the bay’s tides. A controversial restoration project has since removed the old road, allowing the sea to reclaim its space. Registered as a national historic monument since 1862, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay have also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Inside Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
Perched at the very top of Mont Saint-Michel, the abbey is the island’s crowning glory. Built in 966 by Benedictine monks, it has been a place of worship, pilgrimage, and even defense for over a thousand years. One of the most striking parts of the abbey is the Merveille, a 13th-century, three-storey structure built to support the church above. Inside, vaulted halls, quiet cloisters, and spectacular views from the terraces provide a glimpse into the lives of the monks who once lived here.
On the way up, don’t miss the Église Saint-Pierre, a small parish church with a peaceful atmosphere and a cemetery where La Mère Poulard is buried. There’s also the Maritime Museum, which offers an insight into the surrounding environment of the island and its ecology.
Visit the imposing abbey for the best views from Mont Saint-Michel
Practical Travel Tips For Visiting Mont Saint-Michel
Travelling from Mont Saint-Michel to Paris
It’s about a 4-hour drive from Paris. While trains don’t go all the way to the island, you can catch one to Pontorson, the nearest station, and then hop on a shuttle bus that takes you right to the gates.
Access to the island
You’ll need to park about 2.5km away in the official car park as there is no driving onto the island itself. From there, you’ve got options:
- A free shuttle bus runs regularly and drops you just a short walk from the entrance.
- Take the leisurely walk across the causeway to really appreciate the dramatic approach.
- Go back in time and arrive in style by horse-drawn carriage.
Getting around the villageThe streets are steep, narrow, and cobbled, and there are lots of steps.
- There are 139 steps just to reach the abbey entrance, plus more inside.
- There are no handrails and no lifts, so comfortable walking shoes are a must.
- For visitors with reduced mobility, there’s a specialised Joëlette chair service available with booking (at least 6 weeks ahead).
When to go for the best experience
- The best weather is from June to October, but July and August can be crowded and hot.
- From November to March, it’s quieter and cooler—just expect wind, rain, and fewer open facilities.
- Early morning or late afternoon are the sweet spots if you want to skip the worst of the crowds.
Avoiding the crowdsWith around 3 million visitors a year, it’s no surprise the island gets busy. For a calmer experience:
- Skip weekends and French school holidays if you can.
- Visit during off-season months like November, early December, February, or March.
- Even in summer, arriving after 3 pm can make a huge difference.
Mont Saint-Michel from the skies in a microlight
Things to do near Mont Saint-Michel
- If you’re sticking around Normandy, don’t miss the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, about an hour and a half drive away.
- The D-Day landing beaches are further up the coast, stretching between Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Ouistreham.
- And for something totally different? Take to the skies in a microlight and see the Mont from above. No chance of it being too crowded from there!
