Mont Saint-Michel is a stunning tidal island at the mouth of the Couesnon River, off the North-Western coast of Normandy, in France. The spectacular Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel has been a major site of pilgrimage for hundreds of years and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its significance as an international cultural treasure.
The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel was traditionally an important center of learning and study for Christian monks and produced some of medieval Europe’s finest illuminated manuscripts. However, the island of Mont Saint-Michel was also an impregnable fortress that could only be accessed at low tide, meaning that enemy forces were never able to conquer it, even when England sent a huge battalion to capture the Abbey during the Hundred Years War. Amazingly, the massive English army was repelled by a tiny garrison on the island!
As well as the impressive Abbey, the island has a lovely selection of museums, restaurants and shops to explore in the steep, cobblestoned streets of the village. Mont Saint-Michel is one of Normandy’s most popular tourist attractions and so for any visitor to France, it’s an absolutely unmissable stop on your tour of the region.
How Do You Get To Mont Saint-Michel?
France has an excellent network of trains, buses and modern highways, so if you want to visit Mont Saint-Michel you can catch an international flight to Paris and travel onwards from there. You can either stay at a local hotel in the commune of Mont Saint-Michel or take a day trip to the magnificent Abbey from Paris.
If you rent a car and drive, there is a designated visitor’s car park that is located around 1.5 km from Mont Saint-Michel. Once you’ve parked your car, you can jump on a shuttle bus that will take you to the mount itself. The shuttle buses, known locally as ‘passeurs’, operate every day from 7.30 am until midnight.
Alternatively, you can book a special horse-drawn carriage that will drop you off at the mount or, if you’d like to take in the magnificent natural beauty of the coastline, you can walk the 1.5 km from the car park to the Mont Saint-Michel itself.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Mont Saint-Michel?
The best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel is in the summer, between June and August. During these months the weather in Normandy is absolutely divine, with daytime temperatures averaging at around 20-25 Degrees Celsius, ideal for sightseeing. You can also be sure of sunny weather with clear blue skies during the summer at Mont Saint-Michel.
However, June to August is the peak of the tourist season and so if you want to avoid the crowds it’s better to visit in May, September, or October. You’ll still have warm, pleasant weather but there will be very few tourists at Mont Saint-Michel in these months.
What Is There To Do At Mont Saint-Michel?
Private 3 Hour Walking Tour Of Mont Saint-Michel.
If you’d like to find out all about the history and architectural wonders of Mont Saint-Michel you can join a 3 hour private tour with an expert local guide. During the tour, you’ll hear all about the stories that are connected to the Abbey’s ancient history as well as get fascinating insights into the context of the island and the monks who once lived and worked there.
You’ll also visit nearby attractions such as the beautiful La Chapelle-Saint-Aubert. You can also personalize the tour’s itinerary if there’s something that particularly interests you on the mount. The tour’s price includes entrance fees for the Abbey.
Join A 2 Day Tour Of Normandy And Mont Saint-Michel – Pick Up Point In Paris.
If you’re staying in Paris then you can join a 2 day guided tour of Mont Saint-Michel and Normandy, with an overnight stay in Caen. During your tour of Normandy and Brittany, you’ll visit Mont Saint-Michel, Honfleur and Rouen as well as see WWII cemeteries and Omaha Beach, the historic landing site of the famous D-Day invasion that finally turned the tide of the war.
The tour also includes your accommodation, breakfast and dinner, transport to and from Paris in a luxury coach as well as a multilingual guide. For visitors to France, this 2 day guided tour is the ideal way to see all of the highlights of the Normandy coast and Mont Saint-Michel in a few, action-packed days.
Have Lunch Or Dinner At La Sirene, Mont Saint-Michel.
If you’re looking for a top-quality, traditional French restaurant to have your lunch in while you’re visiting Mont Saint-Michel then look no further! Located on Grande Rue, 50170, Mont Saint-Michel, La Sirene has a friendly atmosphere and serves the finest French cuisine on the island. The restaurant also caters to vegetarians and is well known for its superb service and great value for money. Alternatively, you can have a delicious dinner at La Sirene before you head back to your hotel for the night.
Stay At Le Relais Saint-Michel.
If you really want to immerse yourself in Mont Saint-Michel and the stunning surrounding coastline, then the lovely Le Relais Saint-Michel is the perfect hotel to base yourself in. Just a stone’s throw away from Mont Saint-Michel, the 4-star hotel has a fantastic restaurant, outside terraces, flower gardens, a beautiful piano bar to relax in during the evening and incredible panoramic views of Mont Saint-Michel from the rooms.
The hotel’s rooms are extremely comfortable, with a private balcony, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, a flat-screen TV, en suite bathrooms and a hair dryer. You also have access to high-speed WiFi and pets are welcome in the hotel. Le Relais Saint-Michel is the ideal place to stay while you explore Mont Saint-Michel and the surrounding towns of Normandy.
