Located off France’s northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River, where Normandy and Brittany merge, the UNESCO designated World Heritage site of Le Mont Saint-Michel is both a man-made and natural miracle.  Perched on a rocky islet in the middle of vast sandbanks and subject to the impressive tides, it is known as the “Wonder of the West”, with its Gothic-style Benedictine abbey and the quaint village that grew up around it.  Approximately 3 million people visit the site each year.

The Abbey Mont-Saint-Michel

Built in 708 A.D., its strategic position has contributed to its nearly perfect preservation.  From 966 onwards, the dukes of Normandy, followed by French kings, encouraged the development of an important Benedictine abbey on top of the hill.  Richard II of Normandy chose the Italian architect William de Volpiano to build the original Abbey in a Romanesque style.

In 1204, after a damaging fire, the King of France, Philippe Auguste offered the Abbot at the time a grant to construct a new Gothic-style architecture, later called “la Merveille” (the Marvel).  This included the addition of a cloister, a refectory, “la salle des Hôtes”, “la salle des Chevaliers” (Knights room) and a major restoration of other buildings.

Built between the 11^th and 16^th centuries, spectacular monastic buildings were added to the abbey, making it a technical and artistic wonder, as builders adapted to the problems posed by the difficult natural site.  Over time, the abbey was a renowned center of learning, attracting intellectuals and manuscript illuminators. 

Due to its strategic position, as the powerful tide rolled in, would-be assailants were driven off or drowned.  In addition, the ramparts at the bottom of the island were built to keep English forces out.  Despite centuries of the English attempting to take over the Mont, it remained firmly in French hands. 

A Major Pilgrimage Site

In the early 8^th century, in the nearby town of Avranches, Bishop Aubert claimed that the Archangel Michael himself convinced him into having a church built atop the island.

Like Rome or Santiago de Campostella, the Mont-Saint-Michel has been an important place of Christian pilgrimages for the past 1,000 years.  Vast numbers of pilgrims visited over the centuries and as the tide went out and pilgrims would successfully make the trek to the spectacular Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. 

The Mont-Saint-Michel in Modern Times

Over time, the Mont became deserted and became primarily a prison for those that the French government didn’t want to execute.  During the French Revolution, the Abbey was officially closed and became a prison for opponents.

In the 19^th century, writers of the French Romantic movement, such as Victor Hugo launched a campaign to restore the Mont-Saint-Michel.  Later on, in 1863, the prison was finally closed and in 1874 it became a historical monument.  And in 1966, the Mont celebrated its millennial anniversary and a community of Benedictine monks settled in the Abbey. 

While driving to the Mont, along the gorgeous Normandy coast, the island can be seen from quite far away.  Visitors today wind their way up through narrow streets, past small houses, restaurants, hotels and boutiques to the top, where the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is perched high above.

The spire is 170 meters above sea level and about 50 people live on the island.

The Bay of Le Mont-Saint-Michel

Not only is the Mont-Saint-Michel itself designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, but its bay is as well.  In the late 1800’s, the construction of a causeway caused the bay to silt up and thus the Mont to lose its maritime character, fully surrounded by the sea.   However, the French government carried out major work on the site in 2015 and the Mont has regained its insular character.

The Tides

Part of the incredible allure of the Mont-Saint-Michel are the powerful tides that sweep way out during low tide and wash up to the base of the Mont during high tide.  The highest tides in continental Europe take place here at the Mont and can be up to 15 meters difference between low and high water.  During the height of the spring tides, the sea goes out a full 15 kilometers from the coast and comes in again very quickly.  While it is possible to traverse the bay, it is extremely dangerous and nowadays is only allowed in the company of certified guides. When I visited the Mont-Saint-Michel in the early 2000’s, I actually walked across the bay. However, when I returned in 2017, I had to cross by the new bridge.

Victor Hugo described the tides as changing “à la vitesse d’un chelval au galop” (as fast as a galloping horse)

A schedule of the tides can be found here.

Le Mont-Saint-Michel: The Town

During the medieval ages, a small town grew up around the base of the Mont and is a bustling commercial center now, serving the millions of annual visitors who come to see the site.  Visitors can dine at a number of delicious restaurants, many of which serve the typical Normandy fare of savory crêpes and crisp apple cider made from local apples.  Many of the shops sell typical Normandy items like lace, celtic items like jewelry and clothes, and plenty of souvenir items.  There are even hotels in town. A complete list can be found here.

Le Mont-Saint-Michel Logistics

By Car

The best way to reach Mont Saint-Michel is by car:

3.30 hours from Paris via the A13 to Caen and then the A84 in the direction of Rennes.

1 hour from Rennes via the A84 in the direction of Caen.

1.20 hour from Caen via the A84 in the direction of Rennes.

By Ferry

The closest ferry port from Mont Saint-Michel is Saint-Malo with crossings to England (Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth).

By Plane

You can fly from Paris to Rennes which is the closest city to Le Mont Saint-Michel. The airport is located 75 kilometers away from the Mount.

By Train

You can also take a train either to Rennes (2 hours) or Caen (2.20 hours) and then take another train to Pontorson. Here, you will find many buses which run from Pontorson as well as straight from major cities in the area: Caen, Rennes, Saint-Malo,…

Once You Arrive…

The parking lots are located approximately 1.5 miles away from the island, in the interest of preserving Le Mont-Saint-Michel’s spectacular surroundings.  Once you have parked, make your way to the Place des Navettes, where a bus will take you to the mount itself.  The buses operate daily, from 7:30am to midnight.

Alternatively, you can book a special horse-drawn carriage or you can walk from the parking lot to the site.

Several sites offer logistical information, including tidal information:

Official Tourist office for the Mont Saint Michel can be found here.

Welcome to Mont-Saint-Michel

Other Posts You Might Enjoy

7 Restaurants to try for your next trip to Paris

10 Books to Bring France to Your Home

Touring France: Le Bassin d’Arcachon

A Perfect Day in Saint-Émilion, France

How to Enjoy France From Home

A Perfect Day in the Marais

The Château de Chenonceau: the Ladies’ Château

Notre-Dame de Paris: How a Building Can Break Our Heart

A Tour of Provence

France Travel Planning Consultation with GSCINPARIS!

Want to plan a trip to Paris and France, but don’t know where to begin? Send me an email or a comment below to get started on planning the trip of your dreams. You can find more about me and the services I offer here. Send me an email or leave a comment below!

Art and Architecture of France Facebook Group

If you are interested in following along and interacting with Art and Architecture of France, please join my Facebook Group here.

If you Enjoyed Reading about Le Mont-Saint-Michel, please consider signing up for my newsletter for updates on Art, Architecture and Cultural Travel:

Travel Shop

I’ve rounded up a list of must-haves for that long-haul, international flight. You can shop the list here. Thank you for your support!