Mont Saint-Michel

We visited Mont Saint-Michel yesterday, and it was an unforgettable experience. The day began with a soft, lingering fog that wrapped the island in mystery, making the silhouette of the castle appear even more magical and otherworldly. The medieval walls and spires seemed to rise straight out of a dream. It was quite crowded, but we managed to save a lot of time by avoiding the long lines for the shuttle buses from the parking area to the entrance. Instead, we walked, and it was a pleasant approach that allowed us to take in the changing views of the mount. Booking our tickets online also helped us skip the queues at the entrance. By around 3:00 PM, the tide had gone out, revealing the vast sandy flats around the island. We took off our shoes and walked barefoot on the wet sand, feeling the cool, smooth texture under our feet. The panorama was breathtaking: the shimmering reflections of the abbey in the tidal pools, the endless horizon blending sky and earth, and the cries of seabirds circling above. It felt like stepping into another century, surrounded by both the power of nature and the grandeur of history. Mont Saint-Michel is truly a place where natural beauty and human craftsmanship meet in perfect harmony. Fog or sunshine, it holds a timeless charm that’s worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.

I’ve been visiting Le Mont-Saint-Michel since the 1990s, and I still remember how special it felt to walk all the way across to the Mont, surrounded by open skies and vast tidal flats. The journey itself was part of the magic, with the changing tides and the sense of approaching something truly historic. Unfortunately, it’s not as pleasant as it once was. In recent years, Le Mont-Saint-Michel has become extremely crowded, with a constant flow of tourists that can make the experience feel rushed and less contemplative. The best time to visit is in January, when the crowds are at their lowest and the Mont regains some of its quiet, mysterious atmosphere. It will be very cold, but the stark winter scenery and peacefulness are well worth it. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Mont-Saint-Michel remains one of France’s most remarkable landmarks, rich in history, architecture, and natural beauty, and is still a place worth experiencing; especially at the right time of year.

4hr train ride west of Paris Have to pay 4-5 euros for the bus ride from train station to the Mt Saint Michel Awesome view Small shops along the climb to the Abby

It was such an adventurous trip to go there. I went to the side bath around 8:00 in a morning and it was so cool to take pictures. Bc not many ppl there in the morning.

Lots of tourists especially in the afternoon. Free to the island but 13 Euro to the Abbey. Definitely worthy a visit and nice walk through the bridge.

Very picturesque and interesting site. Dogs are allowed on the island but not inside the Abbey. We enjoyed walking from parking lot to the island (there is shuttle you can take between parking lot and island), as you get great views. It is very popular and can get really crowded on the island.

It was my first trip to France. It is a place where you can feel history and be moved by encounters that can only be felt here. It is a place where you want to go as many times as you want.

Very beautiful but much, much too crowded. It feels a bit like a tourist trap. It's the sort of place you have to have visited at least once, but the crowdedness and the fact that it feels like a entertainment park rather than an historical monument, with all the souvenir shops, made me feel like it wasn't as worthwhile as it could have been. Everything also is excessively expensive. Parking, the souvenir shops, the eating facilities,... Everything is REALLY expensive. I get that it's a tourist attraction and you're going to charge a bit more than some random location in the middle of nowhere, but there is a limit. There are equally or even more beautiful but far less crowded places all over France. I would still recommend visiting this place, but during a calmer moment. Outside of the Summer months, either very early or very late.

While taking an Oceania cruise from Reykjavik, Iceland to London, I took an excursion to Mont Saint Michel near Saint Malo, France. It was a highlight of the cruise for me. Mont Saint Michel is a spectacular sight. Mont Saint Michel is a tidal island and village in Normandy, France, famous for its stunning "medieval abbey", which sits on top of a steep islet. It is known for its unique architecture, and dramatic tides. Visitors can explore the abbey, the winding streets of the village, and the surrounding bay, which is known for having the highest tides in France. To see all of the abbey, visitors must walk up and back down nearly four hundred steps, outside and inside the abbey. It is quite busy in the summer. Many tourist buses fill the numerous parking lots. I was thankful that I was part of a guided tour, because there was so much to learn about. Mont Saint Michel should not be missed if you are visiting the Normandy area of France! It is amazing!

A Bucket List Dream Come True!!!!! About 12 years ago, we were scheduled to visit Mont Saint-Michel. Wifey and I were so excited!!! Sadly, our daytrip to MSM got cancelled because of terrible weather. Last July, the wish finally came true!! I read that Mont St. Michel is the second most visited place in France with first being Paris. So it came as no surprise that there were so MANY people that day we were there. We arrived early, but not early enough. We decided to walk to the Mont rather than take the shuttle bus from the parking area. It was about a 20 minute walk, and well worth the time to do. The Mont could hardly be seen from the distance because of all the fog surrounding it. As we got closer, though, the view of MSM got better and better and better. So BEAUTIFUL!!!! Highly recommend walking there if you are able. Pictures and words do not do this place justice!! Being there in person is something that must be done. It is more than just a sight to behold. There is so much history to learn and appreciate. We did the audio tour, and I suggest that you do too. Only thing that I regret is that we did not have enough time there to explore, appreciate, and learn more. Unfortunately, our time was limited to about 5 hours at Mont St. Michel. Hopefully, there will be a next time for us. It is crossed from our bucket list, but it would be icing on the cake to make a repeat visit or two or three if not more.

This place is incredible. Lots of uphill walking, but the views are so worth it! Tons of good photo spots, but make sure to come when the weather is decent. There is also a shuttle which will pick you up/drop you off as well. A MUST visit if you are ever in France.

THE BIG: About a 3.5 hr drive from Paris. Beautiful UNESCO world heritage site and inside the Normdany region of France (Northwest). THE BLACK AND WHITE: Mont Saint-Michel is a island village off the coast on an island. When it's high tide, it's completely surrounded by water. We got here near noon time and it was low tide which enabled us to walk to the Castle. From the parking area, it's about a 35 minute walk or if you take the bus, 20 minutes. We ended up walking both ways, but the bus is definitely faster. There were a few people running out in the sandy mud which I thought was very peculiar. Inside the castle walls, there are shops lining the main alley and I'm pretty sure Hogwarts took a page from this place. Absolutley gorgeous. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall a great time to spend a couple of hours and see a UNESCO world heritage site. We spent $14 euros for 1-3 hr parking.

Put simply: a beautiful tourist trap. It's undeniably a spectacular and impressive sight (though slightly less so at low tide). I was fortunate to come in the evening, when the hoards of crowds were headed in the opposite direction as me, but I was still in time to enter the abbey. The island basically has one helical road that goes all the way up to the top. That road is lined with shops, restaurants, and hotels. Some were clearly tourist traps, others had quite good reviews. I was a bit surprised that by 6 p.m., many places had already closed so I didn't get to enjoy any of them. The shuttle is extremely convenient, as parking is quite a hike away, though that didn't seem to stop some people from making the walk. The nice thing is that, apart from the parking fee, you can experience the island without any expense. The abbey admission is 11 Euro, if I'm not mistaken. An iconic sight and a must-do if anywhere near Lower Normandy!

Came on a terribly dreary day so visibility wasn't great. Hopped on the free shuttle which runs every few minutes - very convenient. We were asked to park in lot 6, which was a 5 minute walk to the visitor center. Parking was 14 euros. The abbey and the little town itself is cute. Filled with shops, some hotels, and restaurants.

It is lovely from the mainland, but it is overrun with people. After climbing 600+ stairs you enter an empty abbey with no atmosphere. I've been in ruined abbeys and building that had more presence. If you in the area then see it, but it''s not worth hours to get there.

This should definitely be a 5 star review and so I am being honest here so that you CAN have a 5 star experience while we did not sadly. It IS worth 5 stars: The good 1. It IS beautiful, it is iconic and it is magnificent 2. It is free! (Apart from €15 to park 2 miles away and get the shuttle) The bad 1. Everyone and their family is there to see the Mont at the same time you are. Struggling to climb stairs after stairs and wrestling in the heat with others going up, coming down and stopping to TRY to take pictures is horrible to say the least 2. It is spoiled (everything that we saw inside) with countless souvenir shops, snack shops, ice cream shops, brasseries, sandwich shops - I was shocked! We simply could not make anywhere near the top and not into the Abbey itself because of the crowds - despite driving 3 hours, parking, walking and then standing in line to get the (free) shuttle At this point I cannot imagine that we will return BUT if we find ourselves anywhere close then I would consider getting a night in a hotel as close as possible to the Mont and then go as soon as it opens - presumably no crowds - and cooler. That is what I advise to all my Yelp friends Basically the French have turned it into a 1,000 year old Disney World and you need to treat it like that. That said (if you can avoid the crowds or get a pic here and there avoiding them - WOW!!!

The last time I visited le Mont Saint Michel was 41 years ago. It is still as spectacular from which ever angle you look at it, whether it is from a distance, from the navette drop-off point, from the narrow street lined with shops and restaurants, from the views from the ramparts to the views from the top. Le Mont Saint Michel is a must visit.

Pros: -It has spectacular views and history -It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site -You'll have amazing photos for life Cons: -It's an all-day commitment and expensive if you're taking a tour bus from Paris -It is insanely crowded -It is not accessible to those who cannot climb narrow, steep or uneven stairs -It is littered with souvenir shops, gelato shops and restaurants - adding to the chaos of the crowds Overall: -It is definitely worth seeing if you're going to be in France and have the time -It's an experience you won't get elsewhere As with many things these days, it is going to draw a lot of tourists, so if you're mentally prepared for that, you will be fine. We overpaid for a bus from Paris and later realized there were cheaper options available. They have free tours once you're inside, so don't get talked into paying for one like we did. Also, unless you really want every detail about the history, you don't need a tour and can walk around on your own. Most the shops and restaurants take credit card, but it doesn't hurt to have cash on you. As with all things tourist-trap, it's going to be expensive. You can take a shuttle or walk to and from the Visitor Center. We opted to walk and it made for some beautiful views and photos. We got turned around coming back towards the visitor's center so pay attention to which road you take coming back!

Mont Saint-Michel is one of the coolest places you can visit in Europe. It's so picturesque and historic that your phone will be busy snapping photos-galore. They abbey is worth a visit--recommend not doing a guided tour and just exploring on your own since the tour can be dry. I did a tour and had to leave it since it was just too much detailed information I didn't care about. I prefer to just read about the place on the internet and go about my day without a lecture. Move on faster to better things like a good French meal (one not within the castle walls). Plan your meals before or after the castle since everything is overpriced and touristy. The most important things I can say are that you should come as early as possible to avoid crowds and get good photos. Waiting in lines (for the bus, the abbey, for food) is annoying so just get there early to maximize your enjoyment and minimize standing around. Mont Saint-Michel is easily one of my favorite spots in Europe to visit.

This is a lovely place to visit...just not in the summer! I would only go back in the off season because it is extremely busy. Some of the other photos on Yelp have excellent pictures of the packed streets. Plus the summer heat makes walking tiresome. We had 18k steps that day. Be prepared to walk stairs. The place is 1,000 years old so there is no ADA access. Unfortunately parts of it are being rebuilt and it takes away from aesthetic of the old walls.

This is absolutely an amazing sight to behold. But actually being on the island is not really ideal for beholding: you're inside of the interesting subject. The island itself is like the worst street of crowded tourist shops you've even been on, there are countless better French towns to wander. Walking around the island edge can be interesting, if your visit is timed with sufficient tidal change. A review from last year mentions parking being 15 EUR...it's now up to 21.

Having wanted to go here forever, it was great to finally view this imposing monument stretching high above the muddy plain. As much as I enjoyed the sight and taking pictures, paying 14€ to go inside wasn't really worth it. As with many churches in France, it lost all its interior splendor after the revolution when monks were kicked out and church assets seized. Also, it's use for many years as a prison left things a bit dreary. What I'd recommend: 1. Definitely do to See it, stopping along the drive near Courtlis to get the sheep/castle pix. 2. Drive to the parking lot-will cost 15€ for the day. Try to arrive by 9:30-10. 3. Walk from parking lot (45 min) on the flat crushed stone/board walk path to the main gate-there is no cost to enter the town. This way you can take lots of pictures at your own pace. 4. Immediately take a right inside the gate and climb the stairs for the ramparts walk and great views-free. 5. Skip the abbey (if you must go in, get the audio guide and specific timed tickets in advance online-print at home) 6. Walk down from the top past all the trashy souvenir stores and crummy eateries. 7. Take the free shuttle bus back to car park when you are done exploring (or walk back)-by now hordes are coming in but it doesn't matter as you arrived early! Bonus tip: as we retraced on route back toward Courtlis we came upon a farmer/small hotel grilling fresh pork sausage on an outdoor grill (sort of like skinny brats). Two sausage, fries and salad for 10€ and so good!

Mont Saint-Michel is the most famous tourist spot at Normandy area. This is the island for the monk. It is very commercialized now. The only way to get to the island is to take the bus or by foot like the pilgrims. The island is very isolated. During the high tide, island is submerged with water. During the low tide, you can walk to the island without bridge. The top of the island is the Abbey. It was constructed at the 10 century. It is built for the monastic life. Saint Benedict use to here. Later the Abbey grew becomes the pilgrim importance area for visit. This abbey have 15 areas. The area include abbey church, cloister, ossuary, refectory and more. The bottom of the abbey is commercial area. The mont at low tide, the beach area will show up. Many visitors visited this beach at low tide.

When I first visited France several centuries ago, I knew everyone wanted to visit Paris. It was all about Paris. However, I remember my favorite visit in France hands down was this remote island/fortress/abbey in the Normandy region. I went into this knowing nothing about it so I had zero expectations, however I left extremely impressed. I'm not a history buff, and I get bored easily especially when it comes to tours, but wandering the narrow stairwells/pathways of this establishment had me turning every corner in awe. Regardless of the direction, the view from any balcony was vast, and especially when the tide rolls in, it was fascinating seeing water where there was land not that long ago. We were there towards the later part of the day, which I'm glad since we got to see everything but I would have loved to have stayed later into the night to see everything lit. So many photos on social media sites are filtered to oblivion, but there are few that reveal the natural beauty of this place. As I said in my other review on a favorite (Castel Sant'Angelo), pictures simply do not do justice and if you get the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend doing so. Mont Saint-Michel is one place I would love to revisit in this lifetime.

Mont Saint-Michel is probably one of the worlds most iconic architectural masterpieces. And a place you should see once in your life. We parked the car at the public carpark south of Mont Saint-Michel. We didn't take the shuttle. We chose to walk. The shuttle is packed and stops twice for (an overcrowded) photo op. If you are able to walk, you really should. Numerous spots on the way offer fantastic views of the island and the surrounding bay. It's a flat and quite easy walk. Even suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The views are indeed breathtaking and it is definitely worth (an even longer) drive to come visit. It's just a stunning piece of architecture. This little town sitting on this tiny island with the abbey on top. Once you get inside it's a bit of a different world though. It's packed. It really is hard to walk and to enjoy the several historic buildings. It's a theme park. And that's a bit sad. But as tourists ourselves we're part of that problem. Just be aware of that. It was just suprising to see so many visitors during Covid-19. And many without any masks or distance. That was a bit worrying. We kept our masks on. But it is an amazing place if you can overlook the crowds. It goes on and on ... and up and up. Can get steep at times, especially towards the abbey. But it's worth the walk. There are lots of shops, stalls and restaurants. Skip the restaurants though. Really all of them the usual tourist fare. And not cheap. Bring your own food or eat elsewhere. But it is an amazing little town. For a while one could forget that it's built on an island. It's really a looker and there are countless sights. But everybody seems in such a rush to get through the streets and lanes so quickly. Just take your time, enjoy your visit. Still 5-stars. I don't wanna review the visitors, I review the place. And that definitely deserves the full score.

Literally, this is a city within a castle! Since the 8th century AD, this has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. If you're staying in Paris, you can take a train to Rennes, where you can take a direct shuttle bus to Mont Saint-Michel. When my friends & I went, we rented a car from Paris, and drove to Normandy. It was a great decision, as it was very convenient for a group of us to share the cost of renting one vehicle, and we had the freedom to drive to Bayeux, visit Omaha Beach & the Normandy American Cemetery, and drove to Mont Saint-Michel, and back to Paris. If you decide to drive, they do have a large parking lot, and a shuttle that will take you to the bridge in front of Mont Saint-Michel, where you'll just need to walk a little from there. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes though, as you will do a lot of walking around this castle and it's town, with a lot of steps too! You can easily spend a whole day here including the commute, so be sure to give yourself extra time to enjoy all of the interior & exterior of this gorgeous historical landmark. The views are amazing and a must visit when you're in northern France!

This is absolutely a place you should see when visiting France. It's charming and magical, overpowering and grand all at once. The work that went into to building this had to taken a Herculean effort and many years to complete. It does get a little crowded with the many tourists and for that reason we chose to actually stay on the property itself. Once all the tourists were sent out around 6:00pm only the people actually staying on the Abbey grounds have access to roam freely. This makes for great photo opportunities.

Oh come on now... what can I write that hasn't already been written? How can I relay something that is clearly known by millions as possibly one of Europe's top 10 attractions? I can't! However, I can say that religion aside, this place is amazing! So much history! So many architectural milestones! Oh, and so many calories you'll burn on your hike up to the abbey. If you're near Normandy, you've just got to squeeze this into your itinerary. You'll kick yourself for years to come if you don't. Cheers!

Amazing place. Must see in your lifetime! I've always wanted to come here after seeing so many pictures. It looks magical in photos and even more in real life, just breathtaking! We booked a hotel at Hotel Le Relais du Roy at La Caserne. The shuttle stop that goes to MSM is right outside. Basically there's only one street in that area where the few hotels are so either hotel is fine. I chose not to stay on the island as I heard the hotels there are very small and expensive. Also you don't get to see msm from afar! The shuttles might be packed so you'll either have to walk 20 mins or if you can rent a bike that's also a good and very fun way to get there. Make sure you buy tickets in advance online otherwise you'll have to stand in line for a long time. We skipped that line and were able to make it to their 10am English tour! The monastery architecture was beautiful. The history and geography are fascinating. Highly recommend this place if you're in Normandy already, or like us, just make a special weekend trip from Paris to see mont st Michel!

If you are wanting to get the most out of your visit here..... DO NOT come here if you have dogs! (it's not kind to them) DO NOT come here if you have small children (or their strollers)! DO NOT come here if you have any trouble breathing/walking! that is my biggest warning I would have for anyone wanting to visit here! It is an amazing place, but even for me an averagely fit 39yr old guy, it was a work out! And it wasn't just getting to the chapel....once you get to the main chapel after a TON of stairs (regardless of which path you initially chose to get to the start). That was only the beginning..... Making your way down through the monastery itself involved even more stairs, some wide, some uneven, some tight/twisting, at least one VERY tight spiral staircase, and even for me it just went on, and on, and on! And even once you finally got out you had to follow the curtain wall path, until you were finally low enough to find stairs down to the main street! I was honestly very glad in some ways to get back out to the causway where I could enjoy the view on my own! So I hope everyone I saw with dogs, kids/strollers and wheel chairs when I was leaving felt the same!

I've never seen such a magnificent castle. Well, let me start by saying I've visited the Disney castle in Orlando and Schloss Heidelberg In Germany, but nothing quite beats a castle you have to take trains planes and automobiles to get to because it's so isolated and located in its own island. We arrived later than expected due to a language barrier issue at the train station, but we still got there in time to see it during the day. My boyfriend booked us a hotel room right inside the magnificent village connected to the castle. It was unlike anything I've ever seen! The hotel room was comfy and clean and gave us a perfect location to get out and explore. We must have walked about 30 flights exploring the grounds and it's many secret labyrinths. We found a beautiful church, secret stairways and some spectacular views. We also walked around the exterior (which you can only do when the tide is low). Over all the castle and the grounds were stunning. If you get the opportunity to see the castle in person don't pass it up!

I went in with high expectations for this UNESCO world heritage site and it ended up surpassing those expectations. Why did I love Mont Saint Michel so much? -the 20km drive in is filled with hundreds of acres of sheep grazing with the Mont looming in the backdrop - it's hard to believe it's real it's so beautiful -the one+ mile walk from the parking lot to the island makes for great pictures and a dramatic approach -the weaving streets of shops, hotels, alleys and restaurants reminded me a bit of Dubrovnik, Croatia - oozing with charm and surprise everywhere you turn It is ten euros for parking and more than a mile out from the actual attraction. Entry to the abbey will also run you ten euros per person and they have a lovely gift shop and signage in several languages. Set aside some time to stroll in the fields of surrounding sheep before you get there. It makes for the perfect picnic setting.

What a wonderful place full curiosities, the charm of the streets attached to the history in this places surely will take your breath away. The church is something out of a fairytale and since this is a holy place make sure to follow indications specially when in the church. If you are in France make sure to visit this is a must see in your trip! Bon Voyage!!

If you come to Paris and need to get a one day excursion, I recommend going to this place. Usually a tour bus for 2-3 hrs is the way to this castle on an island in the middle of water. It used to be an abbey fortress. It is gorgeous and makes for good pictures. As you ascend, it winds til to the top where the church is, and there's a bit more touristy stuff here than I would like, but the rest of it is nice. You can pick up some nice tapestries and lovely silverware and good swords and things one would conjure up in a feudal period. There are nice restaurants and cafes to enjoy the views especially the ones that face out to the low tide sand areas. I imagine it's nice when the water is up, but then one wouldnt be able to traverse this to get to the abbey itself. There are nice little gardens and this place preserves much of the original historic home life and original feeling- I love that it is authentic and it's not like actors dressed up and telling people historic things I personally brought a couple of baguettes with me to sit on top of the church courtyard and eat my food. This place satisfies that experience of wanting to climb in an epic castle full access t the top. most tourist places are preserved nicely and don't allow tourist attraction but b/c this is a fortress and made to withstand battles and assault, it allows the full experience of climbing from bottom to top. There's also the iconic horse carriage that one has to make sure they take a picture with. You'll see sheep and grassifelds as you drive into this lovely historic monument.

First if you're going to visit Mont St Michel I suggest you rent a car. Yes there are day tours from Paris and shuttle buses from the nearest train stations but the ride hear through rolling hills and valleys is best enjoyed by private means. Once you pay in the visitors lot there is a shuttle bus that will bring you to the island itself. Take time to walk outside on the sand flats around the fortified walls to enjoy the enormity of this structure. Once inside it's a step climb to the top but once you enter the Abbey there are so many different tires you can take and explore that you could literally spend 8 hours walking around it's walls and narrow paths. The view of the Atlantic ocean and the French countryside is stunning especially at sunset.

8/20/20 The cathedral was pretty big and many thoughts crossed through my mind, but no more important than this.."what the hell do the signs say?"  I couldn't read French which put many of us students at a serious disadvantage of learning the history of France. Smartphones were not invented at the time so you were shit out of luck of an instant translation...unless your friend or you spoke French. The French garden on top of Mont Saint Michel's Cathedral was nice, but the view to island out on the sand looked very inviting.  Unfortunately the sands of Mont Saint Michel  are deadly.  The signs were in French, but the skulls and red  sign should have been enough for any language to understand.  No, it wasn't.  My classmates  walked on the sands as do many other people French or non-French natives. I now see online that there are classes you can take on how to get out of the quick sand.  So many smiling faces and this has been going on for how long? Kayaking in the waters of  Mont Saint Michel looks like fun, but from what I read to many people have underestimated how fast the waters can rise and fall. The current from the sea can be quite deadly.  This is one major reason this former prison was so dangerous.   Still, this place us breath taking and seeing Mont Saint Michel again would be nice.

Mont Saint-Michel was one of two places other than Paris that I wanted to visit if I ever got to France. I saw one place on my first trip and this trip I got to the Abbey at Mont Saint-Michel. I found a tour online that offers a small group experience. As it truned out, there were only 3 of us on the tour and it was to 3 walled cities--Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel, and Dinan. Travel is by high speed train from Paris to Saint-Malo and returning from Rennes. When our guide dropped us off at the point where you get the shuttle over the new bridge, she gave us a map with her suggested route to follow using the "second gate"--actually the first set of steps after entering the main gate. This way, you walk the wall around and up to the abbey and avoid many of the crowds on the Grand Rue. Be aware, there are over 300 steps to get to the abbey. One bottleneck was going through the metal detectors as you entered the abbey itself. From there, it was steps up and down and a chance to see many of the rooms of the abbey with signage so we knew for what they were used. As I started down to the Grand Rue to get something to eat, I noticed the parish church and our guide had recommended that. It was beautiful and worth the extra steps back up. Then it was off to one of the small food shops and I had a ham and cheese sandwich on wonderful baguette and a Coke Zero. This is a must see if you're in France or touring. It's a World Heritage site and it's a magnificent edifice!

Here are my advice to visit MSM.  Avoid the tour bus crowds during 11-4 by booking a hotel on the island or nearby mainland.  Walk around the empty streets in the village early in the morning and watch the sunrise from lookout points.  Buy advanced tickets for abbey from Tourism Office near entrance in order to skip the line at the Abbey entrance, also join a free guided tour in English.  Buy a France National Monument cloth tote bag for 2.5 euro as souvenir at the Abbey store.  Eat meals on the mainland, snacks on the island.  This can be a magical place or a tourist trap.

01.06.2019 We did the Paris City Vision independent tour. Be prompt 6:45a! Tour guide spoke French, English and Spanish. The bus was very comfortable! Get the upper level at front, best views. Be prepared this time of year, extremely crowded and HOT. Bring hat, water and snacks. There's restaurants as well but be aware of your time. Spectacular time while spent at the abbey. Must see!!

10/06/019. While planning our vacation to Paris ; we decided this to add this place in our bucket list. We drove from Paris for almost 6 hours. We visited on a Sunday, it was very busy. I will suggest to go in a week day. As we entered the village you see from the distance the old monastery set on a gorgeous mountain... just stunning! The Mont Saint Michel is surrounded by sea during the high tides, and sand in low. When you arrive you take a short walk to the free bus shuttle that will take you. There's is also a horse carriage shuttle, that you can take for 6€ per person. You have the choice to tour the abbey and the village. Tours are offered , but you can also tour it on your own. The hike to the very top is worth it, the views are spectacular! They have numerous restaurants, hotels, and gift shops. We visited the church and enjoyed talking to the locals. We had a great time!

Must visit - this Castle Abbey is one of the most beautiful and picturesque . Situated off the coast the tidal water surrounds it at high tide . Many shops and restaurants in the castle as you stroll the walls. The Abbey costs 10 euro and has shorter hours. If you can get reservations for a magnificent French dinner in the castle- check early they book fast. Stay overnight to see the sunset and castle lit up at night.

I always wanted to visit Mont Saint-Michel, so we took advantage of the opportunity for a long weekend while we were based in Paris. We went at the end of March, near Easter, so it was pretty cold. It's right on..err..in the water, so dress warmly due to the wind factor! My first and most important tip is that you'll want to view the tide information when planning your trip. It's spectacular to see the castle at both high and low tides, when the there's water entirely surrounding the castle, and at low tides when there's just marshy sands / mud flats surrounding the island. In low tides, you can actually spot pilgrims crossing the passage, making their spiritual journey, which is really cool. It's a sight to behold, so definitely try to see visit at both times. You'll likely spend several hours visiting the abbey, so if you're lucky, you can catch both high and low tides on your visit. On the island, there's loads of touristy shops and restaurants lining the path up to the abbey. Be sure to also pop onto the castle walls. We preferred to take the high road on the castle walls on our way up to the abbey take in the views, and took the touristy, shop-lined path on the way down. The island is very small, so it wouldn't take longer than a half day to see all of the sights. You will also have to pay for parking, so be prepared. There's several lots, so even if you have to park further away, there is a shuttle bus that will take you to the entrance; though it is fun to walk and take in the views of the castle on the walk.

A visually stunning place to visit on the French coast. Took a day trip (w/ Paris City Vision) to Mont Saint Michel on a Sunday in December. The bus ride from Paris is about 4 hours through mainly French countryside. Once you get close enough to see the "rock", and the Abbey, you will be left in awe. Words cannot do it justice as to how remarkable this place is. Once you arrive at the final parking/ drop off area you have the option of taking a tram over to the island or walking, we walked and definitely didn't regret it. The walk is probably about 30 minutes but gives you the opportunity to get some great pictures and views that the stuffy tram ride wouldn't give you. Once inside the winding alley way through the buildings heading up to the Abbey is unique and beautiful. It was very crowded so navigating the small pathways became tricky and slow moving. There are plenty of shops and restaurants along the way for gifts and snacks. The Abbey itself is amazing; full of history, the self guided audio tour we went with detailed the majority of the key points and allows you to move at your own pace. We took our time walking around the Abbey and stopped for snacks multiple times around the village area. Some great baguettes and deserts on the go were the highlights for us. If you fancy a more formal sit down meal it's highly recommended to make reservations ahead of time. A absolutely remarkable place to see and well worth the trip!!

Arrive early to avoid the crowds, eat before you arrive to save $, and bring your own water.

Simply breathtaking from the moment you see it off the horizon. We're talkin' massive legitimate GoT castle! You will travel back in time for sure! Pay the extra 10 euros to gain access to the Abbey, the views from the top of the castle are amazing. The Abbey is grand. Lots of space. Great interior and exterior architecture. It's always cooler in the region so dress in layers or bring a light jacket. I went in June and it was chilly. I got hot climbing up the steps so I had to take off my jacket a few times. There are a lot of pigeons so it kinda feels dirty because there are poop and feathers all over the stones and restaurant patios. The shops are fun and bustling. The restaurants are quaint. We bought the tours package and they're quick and easy to run thru but Items aren't well preserved. It almost seems and smells like a thrift store more than a museum. But you do learn about the dungeon, information on the high/low tides, see knights quarters, etc. It's only 18 euros for 4 onsite locations but I rather research the information online and spend more time taking in the castle's views. Only do it if you want to support and fund the castle. It's a site for pilgrimage so you'll see people walking in the mud during low tide.

What can one say? Mont Saint-Michel is a destination spot & a must-see! Since the last time the Mr visited, there have been huge parking lots & roads to bring people to this Uniseco Heritage Site We made the roadtrip on a torrentially rainy day but it might have kept away some of the tourists - nevertheless, there were a ton of people there. Basically, I'm not going to tell you anything you don't already know - this is an Abbey built on a desolate island where the tide rushes in & blocks access.......that is, until a roadway was built to counteract this We took the shuttle there & walked back to have a holistic experience.......lots & lots of souvenir shops & cafes line the small roadways, leading up to the top of the hill where the main attraction is. Just when you think you can't climb any higher, there is the abbey Some rooms are open to the public & some closed off - it was windy as all get out but it added an allure & mysticism to the visit. So yeah, make the trek

I recall Robert Frost doting on the importance of taking roads less traveled. Obviously, he never came here! This is a review of the long, isolated road, as well as the businesses that surround Le Mont Saint-Michel, a monument that commands attention on a separate page. I am still in sheer awe, as this is one of the coolest places I've ever seen. When you approach it, which normally happens by bus, you will notice few signs of civilization behind you. This residence was meant to be off the beaten path, and inaccessible...especially at night. With the brisk wind coming off the North Sea, I regretted not bringing an extra layer and made my way up to the narrow alleys uphill. Naturally, there will be tons of souvenir shops selling forgettable items. PROTIP: Always buy from small vendors, or even street vendors. The official shops are really just ripoffs. What I find intriguing is the sheer density of tiny hotels. From what I hear, it's magical spending a night on this isle, since after sunset the throngs of foreigners have mostly left, leaving you some elbow room to have fun in the various restaurants (or bars)! Of course, it's so tiny that a day or two is all you could handle before getting bored, even WITH the WiFi availability. If you have the means to leave North America, this NEEDS to be on your bucket list.

While on a cruise we had the option to visit Mont Saint-Michel which was on my must see list. We were on a bus which must park way back from the main area to start the trip to see the Abbey. Once at the beginning there is a tram that takes visitors to the Abbey. It is much easier than walking there as you must pass through a small town to get there. There is also a small visitor center which has information about the Abbey and the area around it. There is a land bridge that you must cross to get to the Abbey entrance. The tram drops you off close but there is still a small walk to get to the main entrance. The view is amazing to see as you get closer. It is a very popular place so be prepared for crowds. We were with a tour guide so he took us through the small town with skinny walk ways up to the top. As you walk and take lots of pictures I thought there is no way I will get to the top. After a lot of climbing we made it. The view over the area surrounding the Abbey is beautiful. Depending on the time of day you are there it could be surrounded by water or sand. While we were there, the tide was out so people were walking all around. The amount of work that went into this place is mind boggling. There are models that show the progression of the building of the Abbey. Touring the place takes you back in time. After the tour ended we had time to wander around to shop or have lunch. The lines were long in the restaurants in the town so we decided to take the tram back to the small town outside the Abbey and have lunch which was a better idea and probably cheaper. We then hopped back on the tram to the bus to parking lot to catch our bus back to the ship. It was worth the very long day. Check off another item on my bucket list.

If you're already visiting Mont St. Michel, then you might as well pay the 9euro entrance fee to visit the abbey. YES, it's worth it and pretty interesting to see the interior, and also have access to some of the best views of the bay surrounding this island. I liked the Cloisters inside and the big wheel! Fascinating to read about the history of this abbey and some of the specific sights inside (per the guide they hand out to you) with admission fee. Be sure to pick up some souvenirs on your way out at the downstairs gift shop. Fun, we're glad we visited. I don't think my husband was as impressed as I was but who cares? lol

Regardless of the number of tourists, this place cannot cease to amaze. It is a human achievement to view, I would consider it one of the wonders of the world. We had thought to bypass the spot, because it is so heavily touristed, but that is managed expertly, and the whole area is well conceived. Do not miss if you have be opportunity.

It's just as spectacular in person as in the photos, and even more impressive as you climb the winding road to the summit to see this still-preserved remnant of the golden Middle Ages. It's a must see of France, and Western Europe in general.

If you didn't know this place existed and I blind-folded you, drove you to the front of it, and took the blindfold off, you'd think you're in a fantasy. It's that amazing. It's an Abbey built on top of an island just off the coast of France connected by a single road that is sometimes under water at very high tides. At lower heights on the island are houses, restaurants, hotels, etc. Stay a night on the island if you can - it's cheaper than you'd think.

We found a shuttle service to get here, got on the shuttle bus from the visitor center to a few hundred yards from the base of the island. We were all excited and marched up the main twisting pedestrian alley/walk way past restaurants and gift stores following the crowds. I recall that we started walking up through the castle and up the cathedral and handing someone our prepaid tickets. When we finally stopped at the top of the cathedral, we were horrified that we had past the location where we would pick up their audio guide. We weren't exactly sure if the location for renting audio guides was halfway up or at the beginning of the climb. So we pulled out our free Rick Steves guide and managed to figure out how to use the guide in reverse order and ended up having a very nice time seeing everything. The shuttle bus at the bottom picks up passengers across the street from where you were left off when you first came. We didn't visit the visitor center until we were waiting for our shuttle service to take us back to the town we were staying at. Bottom line: try harder than we did about figuring out where to get your rental audio guides if that's what you're looking for.

If you get a chance, you should definitely see this place. It's iconic and gorgeous. It's not very accessible for the disabled, though, and there is a lot of climbing.

If you go to France, this is one of the places to visit. We went in May during the non-tourist season. Unfortunately, there was no water,.. just mostly sand surrounding the abbey... but it still looked amazing. Be prepared for a nice walk... and I mean alot of walking up stairs. The views from atop the abbey are just GORGEOUS. Oh yea.. inside is pretty awesome too! It's about 20 euro's to tour inside the abbey and that takes about an hour. We went both in the day and evening... definitely a place to go with your significant other.

Amazing place. We were lucky and got here early so the crowds were non existent. It felt like we were walking in the Game Of Thrones set except it was all real. This place was beyond my expectations if you ever have a chance this is a must

We had loosely kind of planned to go to Paris, and decided we'd maybe go out int he countryside to see some non-city landscapes. While flipping through some France guide, the boyfriend stops at a photo of Mont Saint-Michel, and it was decided we were definitely going to France. So, thank you Mont Saint-Michel, for being the deciding factor on my amazing vacation. We started in the countryside, and rented a car to get to Mont Saint-Michel. There were other public transit options available, but it was well worth the parking fee for us to roam without time restraints (bus/train schedules). Just the drive up the coast heading towards the island was amazing- you could catch glimpses of the Abbey from afar, through the mist, which only built the anticipation. From the parking lot, you can opt to walk the 45-minute walkway to the island or take a free 5 minute shuttle. It was a very sunny, hot day, and although I come from the islands and tan well, the boyfriend just kind of burns- so we opted for the shuttle bus. There were many people walking the path, so it looks easy enough, and I'm sure the view is amazing. Upon entering the island-commune, you are immediately overwhelmed by the fact that you may have just stepped into a wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey-stuff kind of crossover, where you are surrounded by massive, old timey storefronts but all the people and interiors are modern day. It's shocking in a novel kind of way. They boyfriend appropriately described it as if 'it was Disneyland, if Disneyland were to be a real place.' We then roamed the island, climbing the endless stairs, exploring the sometimes just-too-tight-for-my-#fatty-self-to-squeeze-through alleys, and people watching. We spent hours just people watching. It was relaxing, fun, and novel. We finally got up to the abbey entrance, and started hearing moans from other about how you have to pay and admittance. I'm not even going to address that, but we gladly paid the 9€ each to enter. The audio guides were fairly cheap as well, but seeing as we are photographers by nature, we skipped the learning stuff. Ok, so there's no art, no artifacts, and no museum-typey stuff. But you're standing in an Abbey that is centuries old, on a freaking island that's only accessible during low-tide, surrounded by sand-beach-water-ocean, with a BREATHTAKING view of the countryside, and it's MINDBLOWINGLY old. The architecture and history is amazing, if you're into that sort of thing. But if you're not, I'm not sure why'd you'd go so far out of the way to visit this place in the first place. The very long walk up and around the Abbey was so much fun, we basically spent our whole day on the Island. And with the freakishly-late-setting-sun, we had no idea we had spent so many hours there already. BOTTOM LINE: If you like history, architecture and old old buildings, people watching, or amazing views of the country, GO. And pay to go up into the Abbey. Don't travel all the way to the island just to NOT go up the Abbey. Pro-tip- we bought sandwiches before we got to the island, found a nice cozy shaded spot on one of the many walls around the edge of the island, and had ourselves a nice little picnic- catching smiles from everyone who passed and saw us :) Oh and also, beware the crowds. Really. We're from NYC, and this place makes Time Square look like a joke. Just sayin'.