The islet of Mont Saint Michel used to be the peaceful and quiet home of copyist monks, and today it is the most visited site in France outside of Paris.

Quick facts About Mont Saint Michel

  • Around the 10th century, the number of pilgrimages to Mont Saint Michel increased. Facing this massive influx of pilgrims, a romanesque abbey with a monastic complex was built at the very top of the rock and the village gradually developed around it. This architectural gem was finished in 1228, and the mount became known as "la Merveille de l'Occident" (the Wonder of the West). Mont Saint Michel is at the center of various myths and legends; it's not hard to understand why it inspired more than a few fairy-tales!
  •  Throughout the centuries, the Mont Saint Michel resisted religious wars, foreign invasions, devastating fires, wild storms, and relentless tides.
  •  Due to human activity and the passing of time, sand accumulated in the bay. To limit this phenomena, some important work was carried out. Parking lots have been moved to the mainland (not along the old road-dyke) and the road was replaced by a bridge only accessible via special shuttle services. In this way the tides have had the natural effect of pushing the sand back again to maintain the islet's isolated image.

mont saint michel dam

Dam on the Cuesnon river created to manage the water level in Mont Saint Michel bay - ©Ben Bard

 

Stay away from the biggest crowds 

  • Many tourists only come to Mont Saint Michel on a day trip from Paris. The best time to visit, therefore, is before the day tours arrive or after they have left. It is at these times that you can experience Mont Saint Michel's mystical tranquility. If you're visiting on a tour with us, we will provide you with the hours of the tides hours on the day you visit, so you'll know when the water levels will be at their highest. 
  • We have conducted extensive research on the best ways to visit Mont Saint Michel and experience its beauty and history. Our tours of Mont Saint Michel have therefore been carefully crafted. We only work with experienced bilingual guides who will introduce you to the village, the abbey, and the surrounding bay area. They will take you off the main route, and keep you away from the shops where all the tourists tend to congregate.
  • We highly recommend exploring the bay barefoot with a private guide who is a specialist in the local flora and fauna. He will explain the geographical formation of Mont Saint Michel, its history, and why it is situated in Normandy and not Brittany (just across the border). It is an excellent way to discover the place while meeting and interacting with a local.



walk in mt st michel bay

Walk barefoot in Mont Saint Michel bay (private to your party) - ©FJFY

 Where to stay in Mont Saint Michel

  • The best way to experience the best features of Mont Saint Michel is to stay nearby. This is why we don't recommend doing a day tour to Mont Saint Michel from Paris. However, we do not recommend staying at a hotel on Mont Saint Michel itself either. The hotels there do not offer the level of comfort and service we select for our travelers.
  • We have therefore picked exceptional B&B accommodation within 25 miles of Mont St Michel, where travelers can rest in peace and comfort. You will be able to choose from a typically Norman old stone building farm or a magnificent castle.

Nearby Brittany

  • You do not necessarily need to go all the way to the Finistère (at the tip of the Brittany peninsula) to get a feel for this very picturesque region. From the Mont Saint Michel, we will recommend some special ports and charming towns where you will really feel like you're in Brittany. You'll see granite stone houses, little ports, huge waves crashing down on the immense rocks along the beaches. You'll also eat some delicious crêpes!!
  • In a day or two, you will have the opportunity to discover the Celtic culture of which the locals are very proud. They feel this differentiates them from the rest of France. Some local schools still teach in the regional language, Breton.

 

brittany ports

Some little ports are easily accessible if you spend one more day near Mont Saint Michel

 

Check out some nice self-drive trips including Mont Saint Michel :

Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7750
Region
in Paris, Normandy, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Provence & French Riviera

Spend about a month traveling from Paris to Nice on the French Riviera and get a real feel for the authentic France!

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3480
Region
in Loire Valley & Normandy

From the Loire Valley castles, the famous village of Mont Saint Michel surrounded by water, the landings beaches and the Norman countryside . . . to end the trip at Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny: you’ll have to keep your eyes wide open!

Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3740
Region
in Paris, Normandy & Loire Valley

Get a taste of the real France in very typical regions, famous for their cultural heritage as well as their sweet way of life.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside

Feel Free to Email Emilie, Laura & Clelia

Email us directly or fill the following contact form: 

I discovered France Just For You...
I consent that the above information will be exclusively used for the planning of my trip and the relationship that can flow from it.
My contact information will not be forwarded to any 3rd party.
Friendly reminder : please, check your spam folder
Your French vacation is just around the corner.

You can also call us

French direct line :

+33 768 646 676

Call us by WhatsApp Call us by phone

France is

  • 6hrs ahead of East Coast
  • 9hrs ahead of West Coast
  • 9hrs behind Australia

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Joel
We highly recommend Emilie’s services. She put together an excellent itinerary. She made all the arrangements and the guides she retained for us where top notch. The B&B accommodations were very good, the hosts were terrific and we enjoyed the other travelers we met at breakfast. We did two table d'hote dinners which were excellent and her …
Roger
For my wife and me, Emilie planned three weeks of wonderful experiences. She was quick to respond to questions and crafted an itinerary which suited us. The selection of places to see, things to do, and where to eat were superb. Emilie added a charming personal touch. As it was our 30-year anniversary, she arranged for an accommodation to welcome …
Bobbi
We like to travel independently and Emilie was fantastic in providing us everything we needed to do so. We had wonderful information to read beforehand and received maps and GPS coordinates to get us where we needed to go.This is a great service to use to set up your hotel and car arrangements along with suggested itineraries that can be modified …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Lucelle & Alan
From South Africa
Meeting their host - Mr le Prince - in a Castle in the Loire Valley
Elizabeth
From Canada
At her B&B in Normandy
Athena, Joanne, Don & Paul
from the US
Spending a day biking in the Loire Valley
Beth, Moira & Ron from USA
Enjoying a Wine Tasting in Burgundy
John & David
David & John from Canada
Chocolate & Wine tasting in Carcassonne
Shelley, Andy, Dianne & Bob
from the US
On the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Heather
From Australia
At her ancestor's gravestone on Northern France
Sonia & Peter
from Canada
in Carcassonne Medieval City
George
Enjoying a wine of glass in the B&B garden near Mont Saint Michel
Cathy & Rich
from the US
Walking Mont Saint Michel Bay
Kathy & Bill
From the US
Biking in Burgundy for a day - near Chateau de la Rochepot
Sue, Steve, Janet & Denis
From the US
Enjoying a relaxing lunch