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$ 7980
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$ 3750
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$ 4110
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

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.

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Susan & Richard from the US
This trip was amazing, and Laura did such a fantastic job at planning it for us, with us. Wow, the detail and care the whole team put into our package was astonishing.
Maureen
If I had to sum up our trip in one word it would just have to be WOW! But of course it is impossible to describe the trip of a lifetime in just one word. The detail and care that Emilie put into planning our trip was AMAZING. Every place we stayed, every outing she planned, every person that she put us in contact was wonderful. My husband and I …
Harry
We are independent travelers, and usually I do extensive research on Tripadvisor and other websites, and plan our own itinerary. I started doing this for our France section of our trip, and came across Emilie's France Just for You website. End of research ! After an initial inquiry, Emilie totally customised our Normandy and the Loire Valley trip …

Our Travelers’ Photos

David
From the US
Celebrating his 80th birthday at a cooking class in Burgundy
Ginette and Craig
from the US
In Chaumont castle, Loire Valley
Mita & Bip from the US
In Biarritz, Basque Country
Joe
From the US
Digging & Finding a truffle in Provence
Nancy, Don, Jane & Ron
from Canada
In Honfleur, Normandy
Lytha & Ron
From the US
Canoeing in the Dordogne region
Bonnie & Steve
from the US
in Provence
Bruce from Australia
Cooking outdoor in Provence, bon appétit !
Kathy & David
from Canada
In Avignon, Provence
Leslie & Family
from the US
A la Tour Eiffel, Paris
Bonnie & her 2 daughters
from Canada
In Ménerbes, Provence
David & Lindsay
From the US
Celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in France