Mont-Saint-Michel

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

An abbey island rising from the tidal flats, a whole-day trip

⚠ About 4 hours each way

Hours

Abbey 1 May–31 Aug 09:00–19:00; 1 Sep–30 Apr 09:30–18:00; last entry an hour before closing. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. The island and village are always open

Tickets

Abbey €16 (1 Apr–30 Sep), €13 (1 Oct–31 Mar); under 18 free. The island and shuttle are free

Address

The abbey on top of a tidal rock island in the Manche, Normandy

A sharp rock rises from flat tidal sands with the abbey spire pinned to its peak. A free shuttle from the car parks crosses the bridge to the gate, and from there the Grande Rue climbs steeply between souvenir shops and restaurants. Inside the abbey, a cloister ringed with slender columns and the monks' refectory stack up level after level, and the terraces look out over endless sand. Many visitors take a day tour that adds Giverny or Honfleur, stay to see the island lit up, and get back to Paris in the small hours. It takes the whole day, so keep the next one light.