Is Mont-Saint-Michel worth visiting?
This is a question that many people ask themselves because the place is quite far from Paris and also very touristy.
Does it really deserve all its superlatives? Is it really the 8th Wonder of the World?
In this article, we give you all our reasons to recommend the Mont-Saint-Michel, and some points to know, on its negative aspects, in all transparency.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Is Mont-Saint-Michel worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Mont-Saint-Michel is worth a visit.
It is true that you will not be alone and that it is a very touristy place. But he deserves it. It is an architectural feat, a historical place that dates back more than 3000 years, in an exceptional natural park.
And if you can spend the night in this medieval village, you will realize even more what a unique experience it is to live in your life. We are fans.
And beware, you must reserve your time to visit the abbey at the top of the island – reserve your entrance.
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.
Reason 1 – for the architectural challenge, 8th Wonder of the World?
The closer you get to Mont-Saint-Michel, the more you will realize how exceptional the place is! Mont Saint-Michel is a true architectural feat and a challenge in terms of design, construction and maintenance.
The main reason for this is its unique geographical position and complex topography. Located on a small rocky island off the coast of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel is surrounded by the waters of the sea during high tides.
Since the Middle Ages, engineers and architects have faced the challenge of building a multi-story monastery on this tiny island, while taking into account the unstable nature of its terrain.
To accomplish this, they used innovative construction techniques, including the use of retaining walls, buttresses and arches, which helped maintain the structural stability of the entire complex.
In addition, the construction was a logistical challenge. Indeed, its position is remote and difficult to access. The building materials had to be transported by boat from the mainland… not easy at the time.
Reason 2 – For its unique environment: the bay
Mont Saint-Michel is located in the bay of the same name, which is one of the most unique and spectacular environments in France. This bay is famous for its high tides that can reach up to 15 meters high.
As a result, the landscape is constantly changing according to the water level.
The bay is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which are unique to the region. Migratory birds stop here in large numbers to rest and feed during their journey from Africa to Europe. Fish and shellfish have been caught there by local fishermen for centuries.
This unique environmental richness has been preserved through conservation and environmental protection measures, which have helped to maintain the natural beauty of the bay and its surroundings.
To get closer to the Mont-Saint-Michel, you can:
- walk along the marshes and on the footbridge
- use the shuttle from the parking lots
- cross the bay with a guide (beware of quicksand!)
And you can admire it from afar, from many vantage points as the place is very flat! See our favorites.
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Reason 3 – For its exceptional abbey (which must be earned)
Among the most visited monuments in France, Mont-Saint-Michel is home to one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom: its abbey perched more than 50 meters above sea level.
It was built on many levels over the centuries, with its tumultuous history. We highly recommend the visit!
Among our favorite moments in the abbey are:
- The view from the west terrace,
- The cloister gallery and its architectural details,
- The refectory where the monks ate,
- The monks’ walkway, whose usefulness is still unknown to this day…
But be careful, there are a lot of stairs with high steps!
Discover more in our article on the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey.
And don’t forget to reserve our time slot to access it!
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Reason 4 – For the feeling of traveling in time, or in the world of Harry Potter
Mont-Saint-Michel has a unique atmosphere that transports visitors to another time, especially if you can visit it outside the main daytime hours, once the tourists have left.
This is due to its well-preserved medieval architecture and unique natural environment. Being on a small island surrounded by sand or water, far from modern constructions, and in the middle of ramparts and old houses… what more could you ask for?
A little bit of Harry Potter? We agree.
There is no official link between Harry Potter and Mont-Saint-Michel.
And yet, a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel will take you to a world that will remind you of this enchanting world.
Check out our 10 moments, where we felt like we were in this magical world.
Reason 5 – For night views
The site is exceptional by day, but wait until you see it at night!
The streets of the villages are empty, the lights are on, the abbey is illuminated and you discover a completely different atmosphere…
We didn’t expect to enjoy the experience so much, but it was one of our favorite moments in Normandy.
The alleys are empty of crowds, only a few street lights in the streets and in the restaurants remain lit.
This highlights the half-timbered houses as well as the cobblestone of the street. You can take the time to discover all the details of the buildings.
See our photos of this night experience.
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
Reason 6 – Regardless of the weather, the experience remains fascinating.
OK. It is located in Normandy. The big blue sky is not guaranteed.
But that doesn’t matter because the place offers equally fascinating experiences under a bright sun or in the clouds, under the snow, or in the rain.
We even find that the clouds and rain bring an even more special atmosphere to the place. We have the impression to travel in time, imagining the inhabitants of the place being soaked as us in their time!
See our tips for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel in winter.
Reason 7 – For its culinary specialties
The traditional dishes of the region are:
- Salt meadow lamb (they are raised on meadows that are covered with water by the tides)
- Bouchot mussels
- Cancale oysters and seafood
- the Mère Poulard omelette with its traditional recipe – you can see them cooking it near the restaurant entrance.
- Galettes and crêpes (because the mountain is on the border with Brittany)
- The blue lobster of the bay
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
Reason 8 – Because it can be visited by day from Paris
You may not have time to visit all of Normandy (but we highly recommend it – see our favorite landscapes).
The advantage of Mont-Saint-Michel is that it can be visited from Paris in one day.
Beware the day will be long. But it is worth it.
The train is not easy.
We recommend booking an organized tour to relax during the many hours of driving, or renting a car, so you can choose your own schedule.
See the tour options on Viator or on Getyourguide. // More info in our article on tours from Paris
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.
Disadvantages – why not go for it
The amount of tourists
It is one of the most touristic places in France. I guess with what you’ve seen in this article, you can see why.
And it is also a very small place with narrow streets…
You may have to elbow your way down the main street in the middle of summer.
Our recommendations to reduce this inconvenience:
- Avoid July and August
- Visit outside French school vacations
- Avoid weekends
- Visit late or early to avoid the daytime crowds
Find all our advices to plan your visit of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
The amount of stairs
To get to the foot of the village, no problem, it’s either a short flat walk or a short free shuttle ride from the parking lots.
But once on the mountain, you have to realize:
- The main street is made of old cobblestones
- It is on a slope
- You have to climb some steps to explore the ramparts and to reach the abbey (about 200)
- The visit of the abbey requires climbing a lot of steps, 150 of them almost in a row.
Stores only for tourists in the Grande Rue
The main street is full of high street stores with foreign-made products.
This spoils the historical atmosphere of the place a bit.
But after dark, the stores are closed and you can better appreciate the architecture of the houses around the stores.
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…
Our top 3 things to do at Mont-Saint-Michel
Walk to the mount
Many people rush inside the Mont. They get out of their car, get on the shuttle and follow the people inside. But, in our opinion, choosing to walk there from the parking lots is the best option.
The path is flat and easy. Count 40min to 50min of walking.
Enjoy the sea air and the changing landscape as you approach the mountain; with the dam, fields, sand…
The anticipation makes the experience even better!
Visit the Abbey
The jewel of Mont-Saint-Michel is of course the abbey built over the centuries on top of this rocky island.
It is a marvel of architecture and history.
It is particularly known for its cloister built in the 13th century, as if suspended between sky and sea.
Be careful, there are a lot of stairs to visit it.
And you have to book your visit before – bookhere
See all our tips
Explore the ramparts
In addition to the main street and the abbey, do not miss the ramparts.
We recommend that when you arrive at Mont-Saint-Michel, you go up to the abbey by the ramparts and come back down by the main street or other alleys.
Going up the covered way offers you views of the village, the roofs, the abbey and the bay. Probably our favorite part of the visit to the Mont outside the abbey.
And to learn more:
Our complete selection of 21 things to do in Mont-Saint-Michel
