Exploring the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel: A Complete Guide

Have you ever heard of the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in France? If you have, we're sure it's on your bucket list, and if you haven't, then you'll certainly want to add it to your bucket list.

The small tidal island has a striking and law-defying abbey perched on top, making it one of the most unique attractions in France, and a photographer's dream.

In this guide we're going to share all of the details for visiting the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, so that you can have a perfect stay without the crowds.

📍 Where is the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel?

The abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is located off of the Normandy coast in the  north west of France, and sits at the mouth of the Couesnon River.

Mont-Saint-Michel Price & Timetable

Before getting into what to experience in Mont-Saint-Michel, we're going to cover the costs for visiting, and hours of operation for the transportation, and the ticket for the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

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🕘 Hours of Mont-Saint-Michel in France

The city of Mont-Saint-Michel is open 24/7, and can be reached by the shuttles throughout the day.

🚐 Shuttle Times for Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel:

• High season 7 am to 1 am
• Shoulder season 7:30 to 11:00 pm
• Low season 8:30 to 10:00 pm
  
  

* If you need a shuttle outside of the regular operating hours, you can contact +33 214132015

⛪️ Hours for Visiting the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

While the city is free to visit 24/7, the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel requires a ticket, and can be visited between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm.

💶 What is the Cost of Mont-Saint-Michel?

There are a few costs involved in visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. Tours to Mont-Saint-Michel typically include all of the expenses (like the transportation and ticket for the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel), and can range from $25 to $200 depending on where you are taking the tour from.

The price of the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is 11 euros to enter, and 3 euros for an audio guide.

Shuttles are free of charge, but parking in the lot costs:

•  17 euros for 1-3 hours
• 21 euros for 3-6 hours
• 25 euros for more than 6 hours

🎫 How Do I Book Mont-Saint-Michel?

Tours to Mont-Saint-Michel can be booked on Viator or Get Your Guide within 24-28 hours of visiting.

For shuttle buses, you can simply show up and hop on the next shuttle without reservation. If you do want to take a shuttle outside of the regular business hours, you'll simply have to arrange that in advance by calling the number +33 214132015.

For tickets to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel you can simply purchase them at the ticket office upon arrival, or right on the Mont-Saint-Michel website within one month of visiting.

💸 How Much Does it Cost to Go From Paris to Mont Saint Michel?

Taking a day trip from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel can be a bit costly, but certainly worth it! Here are the different options for doing so:

🚗 Renting a car: approx. 70-120 + gas + 11 for the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

🚆 Taking the train: approx. 30 euros each way + 11 for the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

🚐 Taking a tour: approx. 140-200

Experiencing Mont-Saint-Michel in France

Now let's dive into exactly what you should expect while visiting Mont-Saint-Michel in France!

Things to Do at Mont-Saint-Michel

There are quite a few ways to enjoy Mont-Saint-Michel. Despite its small size, you can enjoy a few different activities for the perfect day in this stunning city.

🌊 Walk Around the Beach of Mont-Saint-Michel

The striking formation of Mont-Saint-Michel is definitely one of the things that makes it so alluring for tourists to visit, and the best way to actually appreciate its beauty is from the dunes surrounding it.

Take some time to walk around the outskirts of the island, and if you have a drone, we highly recommend taking some footage here.

🕍 Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

The number one attraction here is the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, which is one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.

Dating back to the 10th century, this magnificent abbey sits at the top of Mont-Saint-Michel, and has a a variety of beautiful rooms, a cathedral, and balconies with panoramic views of the natural landscapes surrounding the island.

After visiting the rooms on the inside, you'll be able to appreciate great views from the balconies outside, at the top of the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Tickets are 11 euros to enter the abbey, and most people spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour going through the different areas and learning about the history.

It's very popular to get a guide for this, but you can also get an audio guide with your ticket for just an extra 3 euros.

🚶🏻‍♀️ Explore the Town of Mont-Saint-Michel

While the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is the highlight of the city, don't forget to roam through the charming alleyways.

The main street runs through the center of the island, and you'll find small cobblestone streets weaving to the outside walls of the city, and connecting up to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

We'd leave at least an hour to just roam the streets, pop into souvenir shops, and admire the views around the island.

🏛 Check Out the Museums of Mont-Saint-Michel

We honestly were shocked to find out that there are four museums in Mont-Saint-Michel! They can all be visited in a short amount of time, and are great additions to a day in Mont-Saint-Michel.

• The Musée historique du Mont Saint-Michel goes through the great eras of the city.
• The Maritime Museum shows how Mont Saint-Michel has become an island once again, thanks to a big project to desilt the bay.
• The Historic Home of Chevalier Du Guesclin, highlights one of the most important figures in the history of Mont-Saint-Michel.
• The Archaeoscope is a small story about the mysterious history of Mont Saint-Michel.

🐑 Take in the Views from the Meanders of Mont-Saint-Michel

While there are great views of Mont-Saint-Michel from just outside the island, one of our favorite views is from the large grassy fields facing the city.

The meanders are incredible for the photography-lovers out there, and are truly magical to experience during sunrise or sunset. Also, if you go in the morning, you may get to witness the dozens of sheep being herded.

At certain times of the year the meanders are filled with water, while others they are empty. Either way though, the meanders of Mont-Saint-Michel are definitely something you'll want to add to your list while in the area.

Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel

Now you have a pretty good idea of what to expect while visiting the abbey of Mont Saint Michel in France! But don't go just yet - we have a few other things to share with you.

☀️ Weather at Mont-Saint-Michel in France

Etretat experiences similar weather to the rest of north western France. The city has long, cold, and wet winters, with mild and sunny summers. Being located on the coast, there is a lot of wind in Mont Saint Michel, and it can get particularly chilly at night, even in the summer at times!

📆 What is the Best Month to Visit Mont-Saint-Michel?

The best months to visit Mont Saint Michel in France are during shoulder season. July and August are the busiest months, and visiting in May, June, September, or early October will be much more enjoyable.

🌅 What is the Best Time of Day to Visit Mont-Saint-Michel?

The best time to visit Mont Saint Michel is very early in the morning. Honestly, the earlier, the better!

By mid morning it already was getting crowded, and by late morning we could hardly even walk around at.

If you have the budget for it, we'd recommend spending a night inside Mont Saint Michel. This way you can already be there before the buses start running in the morning.

🧳 How to Prepare for Visiting the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Here are a few things to know to prepare for your visit to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

👗 How to Dress for Mont-Saint-Michel

As Mont Saint Michel has cobblestone streets and a lot of stairs, we'd recommend wearing comfortable footwear, and dresses or skirts that aren't too long which could get stepped on by other tourists (this was definitely my mistake!).

There isn't a dress code for Mont Saint Michel, so the good news is you can dress however you please.

🎒 What to Bring to the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel in France

• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Umbrella (we had a lot of rain when we visited)
• Light Jacket 
• Comfortable Shoes 
• Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting)
• Drone - a must for epic shots at the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel! (Our Mavic Mini 4 Pro held up well, even with the strong winds!)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens for a dynamic range (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture more in one frame (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
• Telephoto Lens for the meanders (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Tripod to get pictures at the meanders when no one is around (We use the Rangepod Tripod)
• Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)

🤔 Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?

The abbey of Mont Saint Michel is really iconic, and definitely a bucket list place that is worth visiting.

Due to its high popularity though, we really only felt it was worth visiting Mont Saint Michel before the crowds start pouring in. By the late morning we were already feeling a bit overwhelmed and ready to leave.

If you have the budget for it, it's definitely worth it to stay inside Mont Saint Michel. This way you can enjoy the evening and the early morning with far less crowds.

⏳ How Much Time Do You Need at Mont-Saint-Michel?

You can easily see all that Mont Saint Michel has to offer in just a few hours.

We recommend spending the night close to town, so that you can explore the abbey of Mont Saint Michel early and in the morning and head to one of the other charming French towns by the afternoon.

We'd also recommend visiting the Meanders of Mont Saint Michel at sunset. We went at sunrise, but ended up arriving at the abbey of Mont Saint Michel a bit later than we would have liked because of it.

Not only that, but visiting at sunrise and not having breakfast definitely made it more difficult to enjoy exploring the town before the restaurants finally started serving food.

We suggest visiting the Meanders of Mont Saint Michel upon arrival in the afternoon to experience the sunset, to go to Mont Saint Michel in the evening and sleep there.

If you're on a tighter budget, We'd recommend to sleep in the town outside of Mont-Saint-Michel, and then first thing in the morning to head to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel as early as possible.

Tips for Visiting the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in France

So are you ready to explore the incredibly iconic abbey of Mont Saint Michel in France? We hope you enjoy the charm of this magical place like we did.

Want to explore other incredible places around France? Well, we have a few other fun France travel guides coming up, so don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter. 

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