Introduction: Mont Saint Michel Travel Guide
Mont Saint Michel is a tidal island where the town of Mont Saint Michel was built in 6th century. The town spread on 971 acres and is home to 30 people.
The particularity of the town is that at low tide you can reach the Mont Saint Michel but at high tide, the sea would flood the road and the city would be inaccessible. For such reason it remained unconquered during the 100 Years’ war.
Now a bridge connects the town to the mainland, and it became one of the most visited places in France.
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Getting to Mont Saint Michel
The easiest way is to get there by car. There are lots of parking lots in before the Mont Saint Michel. Once you are parked, you can either walk to the city, or take the free shuttle bus to the city. It’s a 15min ride to get there or a 3km walk.
. If you want to get there by public transport it will be a tedious duty, but it is not impossible:
- Train from Paris Saint-Lazard to Caen, then TER Train to Pontorson, then Shuttle to Mont Saint Michel
- Train from Paris Montparnasse toward Granville, change train Folligny to Pontorson, then Shuttle to Mont Saint Michel
- Train from Paris Montparnasse to Pontorson, then Shuttle to Mont Saint Michel
Once there, you have the option as if you came by car.
You can also take an old carriage with horses but this ride is not free.
When to Visit Mont Saint Michel
The best time to visit is May, June and September when the weather is still good, and you are out of the peak touristic season.
July and August are also a great time to visit but expect more people.
The rest of the year the Mont is also open, but the weather may not be with you. Yet it will still be majestic.
Where to Stay Mont Saint Michel
There aren’t tones of option to stay near the Mont Saint Michel and most of them required to stay at least 2 or 3 nights.
- Guesthouse: Chambres d’Hôtes Les Vieilles Digues
- Hotel: Mercure Mont Saint Michel
It is also possible to stay directly in the city of Mont Saint Michel, but you are looking at higher price for a lower service:
What to Eat Mont Saint Michel
There is a famous meal to have while visiting the Mont Saint Michel, the omelet of the Mere Poulard. It’s a special omelet made by Anne Boutiaut Poulard in the 19th century in the Mont Saint Michel.
The omelet is apparently made by beating the yolks and whites separately, the whites until stiff, and then folded together to form the mixture. Butter or crème are added and then the mixture is cooked in a firewood oven.
The reviews of this place are terrible but it’s mostly because it’s the most expensive omelet in the world.
Abbey of Mont Saint Michel
Book in advance you ticket for the abbey and visit one of the most stunning religious landmark in the country. Built in 1523, it represents most of the town, so missing it would be missing most of the Mont Saint Michel. The site is huge and deserve at least 1h.
Museum
If you fancy it, there are a few museums in the Mont Saint Michel, but we would not recommend it as most of the show is the town itself.
Itinerary Mont Saint Michel
We would recommend to spent at least half a day to a full day:
- 7:30am: Take the shuttle to the Mont Saint Michel (Called The Passeur)
- 7:45am: Walk in town and explore the city
- 9:30am: be the first one in the Abbey
- 11:30am: Lunch at La Mere Poulard
- 12:30pm: Walk out and get around the Mont Saint Michel to digest
- 1:30pm: Walk in the sea
- 3:30pm: Take the shuttle back to the parking
“L’habit ne fait pas le moine” …
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