Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic places in France, a must-see in Normandy. And, with good reason, you certainly don’t want to miss your visit.
The most frequent questions are therefore: When to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel? What is the best time to do this? And how much time should I allow?
Here are all our tips to help you make your decision. But don’t stress, the Mont-Saint-Michel is still magical!
Best time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel
Best months / seasons
In terms of atmosphere and scenery, there is really no better season: winter lights, autumn and spring colors, and summer sunshine all bring something special to the views of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Here it is in autumn.
In winter, it is possible to see it under a thin layer of snow, some years.
Some months the sunsets are just right so they don’t interfere with your dinner.
And even in the fog, the fortified village is beautiful!
Finally you have to ask yourself:
- If you want warmth, you should visit during the summer months.
- If you want to avoid the crowds, you should visit during the winter (November to March). The main street is narrow and it’s one of the most visited places in France, so we’re not kidding when we talk about crowds!
- If you want the choice of hotels, visit during the high season.
- And to have even less people, avoid the French school vacations! You can see the dates here.
Personally, we particularly like the month of October. Beautiful colors, quite long days, and a little less tourists than in summer.
Discover our 35 tips for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Visit during high tides
The Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its changes during the high tides.
They take place:
- end of March
- end of September
- and perhaps mid-April, mid-August and mid-October
Why is this?
At this moment, the water rises of 15m on 15km!
During your stay you will see the rock surrounded by sand and then completely surrounded by water. Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island again.
It’s fascinating to see the place transform!
How do I know?
You have to look at the tide forecast, and it has to be at least 110.
The great tides take place:
Be aware that during this period, hotels become even more expensive than in normal times.
Don’t worry if you can’t visit on these dates, Mont-Saint-Michel is already a great experience without the tidal phenomenon.
And every twenty years or so the “tide of the century” takes place. The coefficient exceeds 118. The next ones will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2033 and Tuesday, March 14, 2051.
Best days to visit
Similarly, if you want to avoid the crowds, don’t visit on a weekend.
On the days of the week, it is about the same in attendance.
The abbey is open every day of the year except January1st, May1st and December 25th.
The shuttle from the parking lots runs every day of the year.
Best moments of the day
It’s easy, not during the day!!!
If you really want to live an exceptional moment, spend a night on the Mont-Saint-Michel and discover it with the changing light at the end of the day and early in the morning.
The atmosphere is exceptional once the tourists are gone, you can stroll through the streets, listen to the wind in the old stones and enjoy the calm of the bay.
Discover all our pictures of the Mont-Saint-Michel by night.
WHERE TO STAY AT Mont-Saint-Michel
Option 1:
Choose one of the 7 hotels on the mountain, within the city limits – see our article
- The historic Auberge Saint-Pierre Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2:
Or sleep in the part called La Caserne which is between the parking lots and the footbridge to Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Mercure 4-starhotel – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3:
And if you are looking for luxury, check out our article dedicated to luxury hotels near Mont-Saint-Michel.
- The charming guest house Clos de Gilles – see prices, photos and availability
Option 4:
The Normandy countryside is very green and inspiring. At the bend in the forest or in the fields, pretty villages with beautiful buildings transport you to another world, or even another era.
- Hotel Ermitage at 5min – see prices, pictures and availability
- Château de Boucéel at 30min – see prices, pictures and availability
Best hours – Opening hours
The village of Mont-Saint-Michel remains open at all hours, because it is a French village like any other.
Here are the schedules to know however, to organize your visit well.
- The shuttle operates from 7:30 a.m. to at least 11:00 p.m. in summer and from 8:30 a.m. to at least 10:00 p.m. in winter.
- The abbey is open at least from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm – reserve your entryslot
- The museums are open at least from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Parking is cheaper after 7pm, but the stores and the abbey are closed.
To avoid the crowds, it is best to visit early or late.
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How long to visit Mont-Saint-Michel
Duration of the visit to Mont-Saint-Michel
To begin, here are some visit times to put our following tips into perspective.
- Duration of the transfer by shuttle:
20min to 1h to reach the entrance of the abbey from the parking lots with the shuttle bus (depending on the number of people). - Duration of the walk to Mont-Saint-Michel
Walk to the entrance to see the dam and enjoy the beautiful views: 40 to 50 minutes (worth doing once!) - Duration of the visit of the abbey:
1 to 2 hours to explore the abbey (depending on your interest in history and architecture). - 15 to 45 minutes to walk along the ramparts
- 1h30 to 3h to visit the 4 museums
- 1h to 8h for the different hikes in the bay
- …
What most people do
Many people arrive for the day.
They spend between 4 and 7 hours visiting Mont-Saint-Michel.
This allows you to visit the main street and the ramparts.
And you also have time to discover the magnificent abbey. But be careful, you have to reserve your slot!
Can we visit the Mont-Saint-Michel in 2 hours?
In theory, yes. We’ve seen people do it.
But unlike some websites, we do not recommend 2 hours.
It is an exceptional place and to only see it is really a shame.
From the parking lot between the queue to take the shuttle and the shuttle, it takes 15min to 30min to reach the village and to return to the parking lot.
You have between 1 and 1.5 hours left. At this time you can simply admire it from the outside, walk up the main street and walk around the walls.
You will not have time to visit the abbey.
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Our ideal duration
But our favorite choice is 1 and a half days with a night on the intramural mountain (see our article on our experience).
And 2 days if you also want to do a guided walk in the bay.
Why is this?
Because as we explained in the section on when to visit, the site is even more magical at sunset and at night.
The crowds are gone, and you feel like you’re traveling back in time (or in the Harry Potter universe…).
This allows you to have time to visit the abbey, the ramparts, the alleys, the main street, the museums and to walk from the parking lots.
A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AT Mont-Saint-Michel
Step 1: Plan and get there
Step 2: Decide on your program
Step 3: decide where to sleep
Itineraries: Mont-Saint-Michel in 4 hours, 1 or 2 days
Be careful, whatever your route, wear good flat walking shoes.
The Mont-Saint-Michel in half a day (4h)
With 4 hours at Mont-Saint-Michel, we recommend the following program:
- Reserve the 9am or 9:30am time slot at the abbey before coming
- Arrive 1h20 before your time slot
- Walk to the Mont-Saint-Michel – enjoy all the views with the fields, the footbridge and the sand.
- Go up to the abbey by the main street
- Visit the abbey in 1 hour
- Go back down by the ramparts
- Return to the parking lot with the shuttle bus.
Mont-Saint-Michel in one day – how to organize your day?
- Reserve a time early enough in the morning to visit the abbey. Please reserve before coming
- Arrive 1h20 before your time slot
- Walk to the Mont-Saint-Michel – enjoy all the views with the fields, the footbridge and the sand
- Go up to the abbey by the main street
- Visit the abbey in 1 or 2 hours
- Choose your lunch spot – see our article on where to eat
- Explore through the ramparts and alleys
- If you wish, visit one or two museums (or all 4). We recommend the historical museum and the Logis Tiphaine.
- Return to the parking lot with the shuttle bus.
The Mont-Saint-Michel in 1,5 or 2 days
Before leaving:
- Long before you leave, book your hotel – see our article on the 7 intramural hotels or see the best rated accommodations in the region
- Reserve a time to visit the abbey. We recommend the next morning with the first crénau to have less people (9am or 9:30am)
- Bring a small bag, do not take a suitcase (old cobblestones and stairs to reach the rooms)
And we recommend the following program:
- Walk to the Mont-Saint-Michel – enjoy all the views with the fields, the footbridge and the sand
- Drop off your bag at the hotel reception if it is too early to get your room.
- Explore the ramparts
- Choose your lunch spot – see our article on where to eat
- Explore the alleys
- Visit the 4 museums – We mainly recommend the historical museum and the Logis Tiphaine.
- Watch the sunset from the gardens above the entrance (or look for another viewpoint outside the mountain, depending on the alignment of the sun
- Dinner and explore the streets and ramparts by night (take a flashlight).
- Walk a little on the footbridge to admire the illuminated mountain
- Note: if you visit in the summer, the abbey also has an overnight experience to consider.
- The next morning, enjoy the shimmering colors of the sunrise
- Visit the abbey
- Lose yourself one last time in the alleys!
- Return to the parking lot with the shuttle bus.
If you have 2 full days, consider a 1.5 hour guided walk on the sand to discover the ecosystem and the quicksand.
The Mont-Saint-Michel in 3 to 5 days
For more ideas, see our article on what to do in and around Mont-Saint-Michel.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to make a reservation to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
To visit the village of Mont-Saint-Michel, there is no need to reserve.
However, to visit the abbey, it is necessary to reserve your time in advance.
Book here
What is the entrance fee for Mont-Saint-Michel?
Access to the village is free.
What pays is:
- Parking – 15 euros for 24 hours in high season and 9 euros in low season (for a classic car)
- Entrance to the abbey at 11 euros
Is the shuttle free?
The shuttle is free.
It is in fact included in the price of the parking.
But if you come on foot or with a bus tour, the shuttle is free for you too.
How to prepare your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel?
See our 35 tips for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. Our article covers when to visit, how long, what to do, what to wear, where to eat, where to sleep…
How to get to Mont-Saint-Michel?
The easiest way to get to Mont-Saint-Michel is by car.
It is possible to get there by train and bus, but the journey is long and complicated.
Discover all the options in our article about the access to the Mont-Saint-Michel.
Can we leave Mont-Saint-Michel when the tide is high
When the tidal coefficient is low, don’t worry, you may not even see water at high tide.
On the other hand, during the high tides (coefficient higher than 110), the Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island again during the high tide, and it is no longer possible to enter or leave.
