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Mont Saint-Michel Culture & history

Our most recommended Mont Saint-Michel Culture & history

Mont Saint-Michel: Entry Ticket to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

1. Mont Saint-Michel: Entry Ticket to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

Discover one of the world's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel abbey. Explore the site with a self-guided tour aided by an information booklet and learn the fascinating history of the site entirely at your own pace. The worship of Saint Michel was introduced on the holy mount in 708 and it became one of the most important places of medieval pilgrimage. Benedictine Monks began building an abbey here in the 10th century.   The abbey has withstood the assaults of man, time, and the elements. The heroic resistance of the mount to English attacks during the Hundred Years’ War (14th and 15th centuries) made it a symbol of French national identity.  Monks left the abbey in 1790 and it was listed as a historic monument in 1874. The whole site has been returned to its former glory thanks to ongoing restoration work.

Mont Saint Michel Abbey: Entry Ticket and Audio Guide

2. Mont Saint Michel Abbey: Entry Ticket and Audio Guide

Take advantage of your visit to Mont Saint Michel to visit its magnificent abbey, a majestic monument that dominates the bay and for which pilgrims have been coming for nearly a thousand years to pray. Listed as a World Heritage Site, Mont Saint Michel is a true architectural jewel. Its bay, its fortifications, its village and of course its magnificent abbey at the top of which culminates a statue of Saint Michel form a unique ensemble in the world. Thanks to your ticket for the abbey, you will have quick access to the interior of this major pilgrimage center built in the 10th century by Benedictine monks. You will also have a digital audio guide available directly on your phone. This app will allow you to learn more about Mont Saint Michel as a whole, from the history of the site to its various monuments to the cultural activities that take place there.

Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris

3. Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel from Paris

Travel through Normandy on the way to the medieval Mont-St-Michel on a day trip from Paris aboard an air-conditioned bus. Choose to go alone, with a live guide, or with an audio guide. Discover the UNESCO-listed island and its Gothic abbey. Learn of its fascinating history and legendary stories. Depart Paris and travel through the French countryside by an air-conditioned bus to the amazing fortified city of Mont Saint-Michel off the Normandy coast. Sit back and relax and get stunning views of the countryside along the way. Stop for a break at a nearby village dating back to the days of the Normans, and stroll the winding streets and narrow pathways to find the best views of the bay. Continue to the mouth of the Couesnon River, where Mont-Saint-Michel was built on an islet just a few hundred meters from the mainland. Spend the afternoon exploring the remarkable monuments of the walled city, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1979. Take time to discover the rocky islet at your own pace. Climb along the ramparts to make your way up to the abbey at the top of the town. Visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel with an included entrance ticket. this Benedictine building has played a vital role in the history of the commune and the feudal society it represents. Marvel at this magnificent example of Gothic architecture from the early 13th century. Admire views of the surrounding bay before leaving Mont-Saint-Michel in the late afternoon. Be driven back to the French capital to get dropped off at the starting point.

From Paris: Mont Saint Michel Guided Day Trip

4. From Paris: Mont Saint Michel Guided Day Trip

Visit Mont Saint-Michel on a guided day trip from Paris. Discover the highlights with your guide before taking an audio-guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Enjoy some free time after to explore on your own. From Paris, board a private coach to the island of Mont Saint Michel. On the journey, listen as your guide provides interesting stories from the history of the abbey. Follow your guide on an orientation tour to ensure you see the most important attractions, including the hilltop Abbey of Mont Saint Michel. Enjoy a few hours at your leisure to explore the abbey and soak up the splendor of its interior with an audio guide tour, or stroll in the picturesque streets. Choose from a variety of lunch options ranging from dining rooms with rustic meat to sophisticated restaurants with bay view terraces specializing in seafood. Or, stop by one of the Mont Saint Michel's creperies to feast on galettes (buckwheat pancakes) with Normandy cider. In the late afternoon, board the coach for a return journey to Paris.

From Paris: Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Guided Tour

5. From Paris: Full-Day Mont Saint-Michel Guided Tour

On this full-day tour from Paris, you will discover Mont Saint-Michel, a traditional Norman village. On the drive through Normandy, your guide will recount the rich history of the region marked by invasions, first by the Romans and then the Barbarians, before the region was fought over in the Hundred Years’ War. You will tour the famous Abbey and admire the Gothic buildings built on top of each other over the centuries, such as the Cloister and the Monks’ dining hall. You will then be free to stroll around the village and let yourself be taken back to the medieval atmosphere in its narrow paved streets.

Mont Saint-Michel: 3 Museums Entry Pass

6. Mont Saint-Michel: 3 Museums Entry Pass

A visit to the three museums of Mont Saint-Michel lift the veil on the great men, mysteries, secrets and legends of this unique place. Discover the mysterious story of Mont Saint-Michel through visiting its 3 museums.  The first, the Maritime Museum where you can discover the biggest tides in the world and the Mont Saint-Michel major environmental project. After, you will visit the Historical Museum Sound and Light. Here, you will learn about the monks who built the Abbey and the prisons of Mont Saint-Michel. You can visit the special exhibits such as the collection of ancient weapons, medieval instruments of torture, the body sucked down into the quicksand, louis XI's iron cage and the oubliettes. Then, you will visit the historic house of Bertrand Du Guesclin, a Breton knight and French military commander during the 14th century, and his wife, Tiphaine de Raguenel, a famous astrologist who used to read the destiny of the world in the stars. Here, you can visit special exhibits viewing period furniture, a bridal chamber, a medieval chastity belt, armor worn by Bertrand du Guesclin and Tiphaine de Raguenel's study. These museums will perfectly complete your visit of Mont Saint-Michel.

From Paris: Small-Group Mont St Michel Tour & Cider Tasting

7. From Paris: Small-Group Mont St Michel Tour & Cider Tasting

Discover one of the most unique settlements in France on a day trip from Paris to the mountainous city island of Mont St-Michel on the Normandy coast. Transfer from Paris by comfortable minibus or van, and then enjoy some free time on arrival at the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising from the sea or sand (depending on the tide), the town is known for its soaring spires, imposing ramparts, and steep streets. Crowned by the fortified Abbaye du Mont St-Michel (dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel), Mont St-Michel remains little changed since the Middle Ages. Explore the village at your own pace, and the interior of the abbey (where Benedictine monks still hold early morning mass) by audio guide. Hear stories of the legends of a unusual jewel of France. Normandy is also known for it’s wonderful apple production and you’ll make a special stop to taste some of the famous Cider Pommeau and Calvados.

From Paris: Mont St Michel and Loire Valley 2 Day Tour

8. From Paris: Mont St Michel and Loire Valley 2 Day Tour

Escape the busy city of Paris and immerse yourself in the French countryside on this 2 day trip. The tour departs the city and crosses the western districts of Paris along the Normandy motorway to reach your first destination. At Mont Saint-Michel, enjoy a fascinating guided visit of the abbey’s interior and marvel at the Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the building. Spend some free time exploring the rest of the abbey and surrounding village. After the abbey, head towards Château d’Angers for your overnight stay. Check into your 4-star hotel for the night and relax before the second day of the tour. On the second day, wake up to a delicious breakfast and begin your journey to the breathtaking Loire Valley. Upon arrival in the valley, visit the Castle Langeais passing by Cunault and Saumur along the way. Enjoy a guided tour of the Chenonceau and Chambord castles and learn about the rich history of the people who lived here. Finally, on the return to Paris, marvel at the stunning landscape of the countryside as you travel.

Mont-Saint-Michel: Abbey Audio-Guided Tour

9. Mont-Saint-Michel: Abbey Audio-Guided Tour

Listen to a guided tour on your phone as you stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Immerse yourself in this religious site that was constructed over centuries. Find sloping stairways behind hidden doors as you uncover its past through content on the app. Make your way to the fairytale castle with a scenic walk across the bay as the outline of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey grows on the horizon. Buy a ticket to the abbey and start your audio tour on your phone. Travel back in time to when monks lived within these walls and lived according to their scriptures. Enjoy picturesque ocean views from the towers of the castle. Follow the audio guide up and down winding staircases and through secret doors into long halls. Uncover dark dungeons from the Middle Ages. Immerse yourself in stories of holy knights and pious pilgrims.

From Paris: 2-Day Normandy & Brittany Tour

10. From Paris: 2-Day Normandy & Brittany Tour

Discover the historic D-Day Beaches on a 2-day trip around the stunning French regions of Normandy and Brittany. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Paris - Caen (Meals: D) Take the Normandy motorway and make your first stop at Rouen for a walking tour in the old town before continuing to Honfleur. On the way between Rouen and Honfleur, enjoy a view of the newly built Pont de Normandie, a cable-stayed bridge. Take free time for lunch once in Honfleur, then continue to the beaches of Normandy and pass by the landing area at Omaha Beach. Visit the American cemetery of Saint-Laurent, stop off in Arromanches, and then continue on for dinner and an overnight stay at Novotel Caen (or similar). Day 2: Caen - Paris (Meals: B) Leave Caen in the direction of Saint-Malo located in the Brittany region. Take a guided tour of the town, including a walk along the ramparts and the cathedral. After free time for lunch, depart for Mont-Saint-Michel, the frontier between the Brittany and Normandy regions. Continue your afternoon with a guided visit of the abbey and free time for strolling and shopping, before returning to Paris.

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What people are saying about Mont Saint-Michel

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 269 reviews

Mont-Saint-Michel was such a beautiful sight! Definitely worth the long hours of travel to see it. However, the travel is a bit gruesome as the only sensible option is by coach bus. Definitely wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to hike but once you get to the top of the island and the abbey, the views will definitely blow you away! If your tour is on a tight schedule, I would absolutely suggest bringing snacks and drinks as you may not have time to sit down at one of the restaurants/bars, even in the off-season it was pretty crowded. Great day trip if you have the time!

The place is worth the time and $. Make sure you wear warm clothes in the winter, the mont is very windy. The tour guide was really nice!! Be prepared to stay more time in the bus than in the mont. Go straight to the top when you get there because it gets chaotic around the restaurants and if you wanna eat there, be prepared to wait on the line for a few minutes. Get the shuttle, it doesn’t take that long to wait, I walked there in the morning and it was also very beautiful. Just be balanced and you’ll have a great time.

Our guide Raymond was very friendly and made our trip very enjoyable. It is 4.5 hours bus ride from Paris and we got 3 hours to stay in Mont Saint Michel. As it was off- season, it was not crowded at all and it was really nice. But if you are planning to visit during off-season, please note that only few stores and restaurants are open. It is worth the visit even during winter. Mont Saint Michel was truly one and only, there are no simpler place like it. Make sure to pack warm clothes+windproof items. It is very windy.

It was incredible. The trip of a lifetime. Nothing can prepare you for the first time you see Mt. St. Michel from a distance.

The experience was smooth and hassle free, easy to get in and no waiting in long queues