The Mont St Michel

When going to Mont St Michel?

With three million tourists a year, Mont St Michel is one of the most visited tourist sites in France. For this reason, you should know that the holiday periods and long weekends are very busy at Mont St Michel and the surrounding region. We therefore recommend that you avoid these times if you can, and in any case to book your accommodation well in advance (we frequently receive later people not knowing where to stay the night, because all is full around the Mont).

The access to Mont Saint Michel

To access the Mont St Michel, pending the completion of the restoration of the maritime character of the Mont, which began several options to you.

You can park directly at the foot of the Mont, the parking fee appropriate. In this case, if the tide high (coefficient above 100), signs to the parking entrance will tell you the hours that vehicles must leave the park before being in the water.

The other option is to park at the entrance to the causeway leading to the Mont St Michel. You then have about two kilometers walk, which can be a pleasant discovery phase. But remember that you'll have to make the return as well, having climbed many steps ...

Finally, there is the possibility to leave his bike at the foot of the Mont, at appropriate locations.

The Mont St Michel in winter

Winter is a also a good time to visit Mont St Michel. Of course you'll find less crowded, but you can also enjoy a walk on the ramparts of the Mont, overlooking the bay of Mont St Michel, windy weather and alternating between rain and cloudy. The play of lights in the sky over the bay associated with the sensation of the elements is a real pleasure to discover (well dressed, of course ...).

The Bay of Mont St Michel crossings

Do not miss them if you have time. The crossings will make you relive the sensations of pilgrims while living unique experiences in nature: ornithology, quicksand, seal with a little luck, etc. ...

Many crossings are proposed by various guides, simple or themed, from January to December. They are departing from Genêts or Mont Saint Michel, and last between 2 hours and a half and 7 hours, according to the one you choose.

Never go into the Bay of Mont St Michel without a guide, even at the foot of Mont. Through its water holes and the phenomena of encirclement by the sea, the Bay is dangerous if you do not know it, especially in times of tide.

The Mont St Michel in summer

In summer, you will avoid much of the crowds if you visit the Mont St Michel in either early morning (before 11am) or late evening. Summer evenings you can enjoy until midnight Nocturnes of the Abbey of Mont St Michel, which is a nice opportunity to walk inside the abbey highlighted (information: call +33-2.33.89.80.00).

The abbey of Mont St Michel

It is common for visitors to the Mont Saint Michel to only discover the village, without pushing up the visit of the Abbey. This is a mistake, as this monument is an architectural gem steeped in history.

The classical tours last one hour, and are the minimum to do. But if you have some spare time and curiosity, we strongly recommend the guided tours, during which you will be guided by real historians of Mont St Michel, you will learn about their work while going in rooms inaccessible during the traditional visit.

Finally, note that the Abbey wins. You will have access after climbing many steps, but it's worth it.

Tides of the Mont St Michel

The Bay of Mont St Michel has one of the highest tidal range in the world. To take full advantage of the tides, you must come during a full moon or new moon, times when the coefficients are most important. The highest tides are those of the equinox, spring and automn. Finally, what are the weather (including wind) that will make even more spectacular tides of Mont Saint Michel.

You can experience the tides at different locations, which will give you different approaches. See the arrival of the tide at Mont St Michel you will discover the speed of the advancing sea, and its trajectory. Discover then at the Grouin du Sud to feel the full force and judging with the naked eye on the speed of rising waters. See erosive impact and its influence on the formation of landscapes of the Bay, at the Roche Torin. Finally, it is by example Pontaubault you enjoy full bore.

Locally, the coefficients and the tides are in the local newspapers. Rely on the hours of high tide at Granville, and take two hours earlier to enjoy the rising waters.