Should I Visit Mont Saint-Michel on a Day Trip From Paris?
Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most spectacular sites in France, often referred to as the “Wonder of the Western World.” The area is known for its high tides, which make the abbey inaccessible for some hours and give Mont Saint-Michel a picturesque setting.
The amazing Benedictine abbey is set on a rocky island at the mouth of the Couesnon River, where the regions of Normandy and Brittany meet. Since medieval times, Mont Saint-Michel has been a renowned center of pilgrimage and an important learning center thanks to its rich library.
Although Mont St. Michel is best explored on a weekend getaway from Paris or, even better, as part of a Normandy road trip, a day trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel is possible and absolutely worthwhile. Here are some key things to know before taking a Mont Saint-Michel day trip from Paris to make it a smooth and memorable.
Mont St. Michel is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Check out the full list of the best day trips from Paris.
Table of contents:
Ways to Take a Day Trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris
Mont Saint-Michel Tour from Paris
A Paris to Mont St. Michel tour is the most comfortable way to get to Mont Saint-Michel. Forget the train system and the hassle of renting a car for just one day, and embark on this Mont Saint-Michel guided tour with Paris City Vision.
The tour includes transportation to and from Mont Saint-Michel, the entrance ticket to visit the abbey, and a 1.5-hour guided tour led by an expert guide. During the journey, the guide will introduce you to Normandy and the history of Mont Saint-Michel. Then, follow him through the fortress to explore the abbey and its wonderful architecture. At the end of the tour, you will have some free time to continue exploring on your own – Click here to book this Mont Saint-Michel day tour from Paris
I took this tour recently (you can read my review here) and had an incredible day. While it can be slightly cheaper to make this trip independently, having transportation arranged and a guided visit on-site was a big plus for me.
And why not extend the fun? Book this 2-day guided tour from Paris and visit two of the most famous areas in France, Mont Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley Castles.
Paris to Mont Saint-Michel by Train
There’s no direct connection from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel by train; all options require a change of trains at some point. The closest train station is Pontorson. The train journey takes from 3,5 to 4 hours one way (depending on the option).
Take a TGV train from Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to Caen, then a TER train from Caen to Pontorson, then the shuttle bus from Pontorson to Mont Saint-Michel.
Take a TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Rennes or Dol de Bretagne, then via coach from Rennes or Dol de Bretagne to Mont Saint-Michel.
Once you arrive at the edge of the mainland, you can either take the free shuttle bus (Le Passeur) or walk across the 900-meter-long causeway that connects the mainland to the island (40-minute walk).
Mont St Michel Day Trip from Paris by Car
This is the option that offers total freedom. However, if you don’t have a car, I don’t recommend renting one solely for the purpose of visiting Mont St. Michel.
The drive takes around 4.5 hours, and it’s a highway with open-road tolling (read more about free-flow tolls in France).
Then, you’ll need to park your car in one of the designated parking lots, which are about a 40-minute walk from the entrance. If you have a conventional car and are visiting for the day, you can use the following parking lots: P5, P6, P7, P10, P11, P12, and P13. If they are not full, P10 and P11 are the best for quick access to the free shuttle bus.
You will need to pay for parking here. The price will depend on the season (low, middle, high season) and the number of hours. For 3 to 6 hours of parking, the cost ranges from 12 € (low season) to 24 € (high season). There’s a small discount if you purchase your parking ticket online in advance.
What to Do in Mont St Michel in One Day
1. Visit the Abbey
The Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is a fine example of French Gothic flair architecture with a Romanesque touch. It is a construction built over the centuries on a very particular topography, so it isn’t easy to compare it with other abbeys or cathedrals in France.
Take the time to admire the beautiful structure, with its pointed arches, narrow windows, sculptures, and other details that adorn the building.
Having a guide (or an audio guide) that explains the history and use of the different rooms and halls will make the visit more interesting.
TIP: To avoid the longest lines, consider purchasing your Mont Saint-Michel tickets online. You’ll have the choice to add an augmented reality tablet at checkout.
2. Wander around the Streets of Mont Saint Michel
The island is the permanent home to around 50 people (including the monks in the abbey). Medieval-style houses (mostly built in the 20th century) and narrow cobble-stoned streets wind up their way up the rocky island, and there’s a magical atmosphere (when there are no crowds).
The Grand Degré is the name of the iconic set of stairs that lead up to the abbey from the Grande Rue. Take your time to climb up the stairs to the abbey, and admire the abbey’s grand architecture perched on the top of the hill, as well as the beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding bay and countryside.
Book this insightful private walking tour with an enthusiastic guide and embark on a customized journey through the island. Explore its evolution over the centuries and the fascinating histories – both well-known and lesser-known – of Mont Saint-Michel.
TIP: I always recommend spending one night on-site, within the island walls. When the day crowds are gone, the atmosphere at Mont Saint-Michel is magical. Here’s the list of the best hotels in Mont Saint-Michel for a memorable trip.
3. Taste Mont Saint Michel’s Famous Dishes
Your day trip from Paris to Mont St. Michel wouldn’t be complete without tasting some local specialties. And there’s no need to worry about food in Mont Saint-Michel, as there are places to eat within the walls for everyone!
Mère Poulard’s fluffy omelet is the most famous dish to eat at Mont Saint-Michel, and it is supposed to be the best omelet in the world! Located near the King’s Gate and in front of the Tourism office, La Mère Poulard has been around since 1888! Book your table well in advance and be ready to pay around 45 € for a traditional omelet (but hey, it’s an experience!)
Another must-try dish in Mont Saint Michel is the Lamb (AOP) Prés salés du Mont-Saint-Michel. These are the lambs that you see eating the salty grass around the island.
The lambs are carefully selected to resist harsh climatic conditions, the risk of getting bogged down, prolonged walking, and halophilic vegetation. The meat is very tender and has an exquisite, slightly salty taste.
To taste the authentic, best lamb of the pré salé (AOP), book a table at Le Pré Salé (Route du Mont Saint-Michel | Bp 8, 50170 Mont-Saint-Michel).
4. Explore the Bay with a Local Guide
For your day trip from Paris to Mont St Michel, consider exploring the bay with a local guide. During low tide, explore the island’s surroundings and admire the medieval fortress and abbey from a different perspective.
Close to Mont Saint Michel is another granite islet, Tombelaine, which also has a rich history directly linked to that of Mont Saint Michel. The bay is also home to a wide variety of birds and seals.
During the summer, you can walk around the bay barefoot, but in winter (from November to February), the tours are conducted with boots (basic rain boots are OK).
I don’t mind sounding repetitive here because it is important. For the tour of the abbey, be sure to book with a local company for a safe tour in the sand and marshes. Tides in this area rise very quickly and not at a constant speed, so it’s difficult to predict…
Please, don’t save money on this and take this tour with Chemins de la Baie. Get this tip from someone who had to be rescued in Mont Saint Michel!
5. Take a Night Stroll (Sound & Light Show, Seasonal)
If you decide to visit Mont Saint-Michel from Paris by car, don’t miss this Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel Night Stroll, a magical experience only available in July and August.
Plug into the audio guide for a magical and poetic perspective of Mont-Saint-Michel at the all-new Millennium, Elevation.
Walk around the atmospheric abbey by night; it’s a totally different feeling without the crowds! The visual and audio tours will take you beyond the stone to explore the abbey’s many symbols and their meanings.
The gates open at 19:30, and the last entry is at 23:00. You can take this audio tour whenever you want during this time period – Click here to buy your tickets to this Mont Saint-Michel Night Stroll
Paris to Mont Saint Michel Day Trip Planning
Mont Saint-Michel Opening Hours
From 1 May to 31 August – Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From 1 September to 30 April – Open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
1 January, 1 May, and 25 December – Closed.
Best Time to Visit Mont St Michel
The best time to visit Mont St Michel to avoid the biggest crowds is in November, early December, late January, February, and March. If possible, visit the abbey first thing in the morning or late afternoon (after 3 p.m.).
The downside of visiting Mont Saint-Michel during the low season is the light, which is not ideal for taking pictures. The weather in Mont Saint-Michel in winter might not be ideal either.
I visited Mont St. Michel in February and June, and my experience on-site (and pictures!) was very different.
Plan your Mont St. Michel day trip from Paris with the tides in mind!
If possible, plan your Paris to Mont St. Michel day trip for the highest tides to enjoy the most spectacular view of Mont Saint-Michel. During high tides, the island appears to float above the blue water, creating a perfect reflection. Click here to view the tides calendar around Mont Saint Michel.
And there you have it, all that you need to know to plan your day trip Mont St. Michel from Paris. Mont Saint-Michel is a unique place, one of those bucket-list destinations you need to see to believe! If you can block a full day during your trip to Paris, I absolutely recommend visiting!
