Mont Saint Michel tips: 10 do's and don'ts

Mont Saint Michel tips: 10 do's and don'ts

Essential Mont-Saint-Michel tips for visiting the most fantastic building in France

When it comes to French architecture, there are countless contenders for the throne. Most notable is the Eiffel Tower, a world-famous symbol of Gallic ingenuity.

Then there is the Louvre, perhaps the most famous museum in the world. After that we have Notre Dame and, in no particular order, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Palace of Versailles and the Pantheon.

Less famous but more impressive is Mont Saint-Michel, the Normandy abbey perched on a rock in a bay.

alt=“Mont Saint-Michel, the Normandy abbey on a rock in a bay”>Atlas & BootsMont Saint-Michel, the Normandy abbey on a rock in a bay

The fairytale complex of Mont Saint-Michel dates back to the 8th century. According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avranches in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky island.

A monastery and an abbey were built in the following centuries, complete with fairytale flourishes: soaring towers and massive ramparts rising dramatically from the sea.

Historically, Mont Saint-Michel was connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway (a path only accessible at low tide). Today it is accessible via a permanent walkway that sits above the water.

We spent two days at Mont Saint-Michel and collected the following tips for readers and future visitors.

Mont Saint Michel tips

Check the tides

Mont Saint-Michel only becomes an island at high tide. Therefore, you will probably see the website like in the first image below instead of the second one.

alt=“Mont Saint-Michel at normal tide versus super tide”>Sylvain Verlaine, CC BY-SA 3.0; AP, fair useMont Saint-Michel at normal tide versus super tide

If you would like to see Mont Saint-Michel as an island, check the tide information and plan your visit around the highest tides (on the right in the schedule).

It's worth noting that we were at normal tide and still loved it. So don't be put off by visiting outside of peak tide.

Stay on the island itself

Most tourist advice recommends you spend a day on the island. Our advice is to spend the day and the night.

Staying on the island is more expensive, but gives you early morning and late evening access away from the tourist crowds.

alt=”Stay on the island and explore without the crowds”>Atlas & BootsMont Saint Michel Tips: Stay on the island to explore without the crowds

Staying on the mainland offers exceptional views of Mont Saint-Michel and costs less, but doesn't give you the eerie, magical experience of staying on the island itself.

We chose the first option and were deeply glad we did. We enjoyed the late evening walks around the complex and had much of it to ourselves.

Don't get caught out of the parking lot

If you're driving, note that you'll need to park on the mainland and take a (free) shuttle across the bridge. There is a separate car park for those staying overnight, so get the access code from your hotel in advance.

Please note that parking fees apply on a 24-hour basis. So if you leave even five minutes after your 24 hours are up, you'll have to pay for a full additional day.

Don't take the horse and carriage

This is subjective, but we thought the customer load per cart was high. We saw carriages with 10-20 people pulled by two horses and thought this was too much. Therefore, we recommend readers take the free shuttle across the bridge or even walk!

alt="We recommend readers take the free shuttle instead of the horse and carriage">Atlas & BootsWe recommend readers take the free shuttle instead of the horse and carriage

Explore the surrounding country – carefully!

The land around Mont Saint-Michel offers exceptional views at low tide. Peter spent a few hours exploring the area and photographing some stunning scenes.

Be careful when venturing out. Mont Saint-Michel is famous for its tidal fluctuations; The water rushes in at an incredible speed, said to be as fast as a galloping horse. The surrounding plains are also said to harbor imperceptible patches of quicksand.

alt="Mont saint michel">Atlas & BootsA view of Mont Saint-Michel from the surrounding plain

There are guided tours of the area, so book one if you want to explore the immediate area.

Don't lose patience

Mont Saint-Michel attracts almost three million tourists every year. This is an average of 8,000 per day (!), so expect crowds.

When you immediately enter the complex, you may find yourself standing in the crowd. Be patient. After all, you too are part of the crowd!

The large bus groups usually arrive around 9:30am and leave at 4pm, so you may wish to visit the abbey outside of these hours (10 EUR per person).

Try the famous Mont-Saint-Michel omelet

We stayed at La Mère Poulard, probably the most famous domicile on the island. The adjacent restaurant was founded by Anne Boutiaut, who married the eponymous Victor Poulard and had the idea of ​​cooking huge omelettes in a wood-burning stove to preserve them.

The restaurant became famous for this signature dish (more of a casserole than an omelet) and today serves it to tourists from far and wide.

alt=“our Mont-Saint-Michel-Hotel”>Atlas & BootsAutographs from famous guests line the walls at La Mère Poulard

The omelette, served as a starter, main course or dessert, isn't cheap (up to EUR 49 per plate), but it's worth trying if you have the budget. The cozy restaurant is lined with autographs from famous guests and exudes Gallic charm.

Explore Mont Saint-Michel after dark

If you stay on the island as recommended, explore after dark - inside and outside its walls. We recommend dining at Le Relais Saint Michel on the mainland for stunning views of Mont Saint-Michel at dusk and returning to the island after dark.

alt="Mont Saint-Michel illuminated at night">Atlas & BootsMont Saint-Michel illuminated at night

We explored eerily empty alleys and paths late into the evening, where all was quiet except for the longing of the waves.

Walk across the bridge

We recommend walking over the bridge at least once. It's long and cold (and so windy!) but worth it for the different views and perspectives.

alt="Mont-Saint-Michel-Bridge">Atlas & BootsWalk across the bridge to enjoy different views and angles

We walked over the bridge once during the day and once at night (2 km). Needless to say, there were countless photo stops.

Don't forget your coat!

Due to its location, Mont Saint-Michel is often buffeted by wind and water, ensuring a brisk temperature even in mid-summer.

We seriously underestimated how cold it would be and I was in serious danger of losing my temper when I saw Peter breaking my "keep me fed, keep me warm and I'm happy" rule. Don't make the same mistake. Bring layers and if you plan on walking across the bridge, gloves and a scarf!

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Mont Saint-Michel: the essentials

What: Essential Mont Saint-Michel tips for visiting the most amazing building in Normandy, France.

Where: We stayed at the famous La Mère Poulard hotel and restaurant. Located on the island itself, the hotel is the epitome of old European charm. The rooms can't be described as modern, but the classic decor and historic setting are quirky and charming in a slapdash kind of way. Think of a Wes Anderson caper in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's France.

We ate at La Mère Poulard for our first night and tried Le Relais Saint Michel on the mainland for our second. The former is worth visiting for its famous omelette, while the latter offers a perfect view of the fairytale abbey. Highly recommended.

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When: The best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel is March to October, when the weather is at its best. July and August are peak season, so crowds are heaviest. The low season runs from November to February, when the weather is at its worst.

If you want to see Mont Saint-Michel completely surrounded by water, check the tide schedule before planning your visit.

How: Brittany Ferries operates a route between Portsmouth in the UK and St Malo in France, the closest port to Mont Saint-Michel. Return car journeys cost £589 and include a comfortable four-berth cabin with TV, ensuite and enchanting views of the English Channel.

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Mont Saint-Michel is 56 km from St. Malo. Parking spaces are available on the mainland for day and overnight guests. Please note that parking fees apply on a 24-hour basis. So if you leave even five minutes after your 24 hours are up, you'll have to pay for a full additional day.

Visiting the island is free, but entry to Mont Saint-Michael Abbey is 10 EUR per person (prices here).

You cannot drive directly to the island. Instead, take a free shuttle or walk across the bridge (approx. 2 km).

DFDS Seaways also operates several routes between the UK and France, the closest route to Mont Saint-Michel is the Newhaven-Dieppe route. Although the journey is much longer at 3.5 hours / 306km (190 miles), return fares are cheaper for a car starting at £102.50.

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