Mont Saint-Michel from Paris

Tours to visit the island abbey in France: Mont Saint-Michel tickets

Information and tips for visiting Mont Saint-Michel in France, the medieval abbey in Normandy. Information about the history, opening hours, parking, island and online tickets or day trips Mont Saint-Michel from Paris.

Visit the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel

The beautiful ancient abbey of La Merveille, also known as Mont Saint-Michel, is situated on a small, rocky island off the coast of Normandy, France. An ancient village may be seen at the foot of the abbey. Since 1979, the unique abbey, village, and surrounding bay have been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Bay of Normandy has one of the largest variations between high and low tide in Europe. In the past the island of Mont Saint-Michel was totally inaccessible during high tide. An elevated road has been created to keep the island accessible even during high tide. This road can only be crossed on foot or by bicycle.

^{Visit the Mont Saint-Michel abbey in Normandy}

^{Visit the small village of Mont Saint-Michel}

History of the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel

The abbey’s history dates back to the year 708. According to legend, Archangel Michael visited a monk by the name of Aubert that year. The Archangel ordered Aubert to construct a chapel on the island of Mont Saint-Michel. Aubert completed his little church in 709. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, the enormous ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Michel was constructed.

Sightseeing at Mont Saint-Michel

A day trip to Mont Saint-Michel starts in the ancient village of Mont Saint-Michel. In the unique small village you will find narrow medieval streets and alleys, ancient houses, three museums, tourist shops, restaurants, and a few hotels. To visit the abbeye of Mont Saint-Michel, just follow the road up.

The beautiful old abbey is in perfect condition. It has three levels and is constructed in the form of a cross. Your tour of the abbey starts in the stunning abbey church, which is located at the highest point of the tidal island. The dining room, the guest room, and the exquisite knight's hall are some of the abbey's highlights.

^{Visit the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel}

^{The Church of Mont Saint-Michel}

Parking near Mont Saint-Michel

If you are driving to Mont Saint-Michel, there is a large parking lot close to the French village of Beauvoir. The approximate cost of parking is 20 euros. The distance from this parking lot to Mont Saint-Michel is 2.5 kilometers. From the parking lot, you can get to Mont Saint-Michel by using one of the free shuttle buses. You can also walk to the ancient island, especially if you wish to observe the peaceful surroundings of Mont Saint-Michel. It is a 45-minute walk.

Public transport towards Mont Saint-Michel

You can use the train if you’d like to visit Mont Saint-Michel by public transport. The village of Pontorson is home to the closest train station. The distance between Pontorson and the historic island is 10 kilometers. From this station, a direct and free shuttle bus travels to the island of Mont Saint-Michel.

^{Visit the Mont Saint-Michel area in Normandy}

^{Visit Mont Saint-Michel by shuttle bus or horse tram}

Mont Saint-Michel Tickets & Tours from Paris

Mont Saint-Michel is the third-most visited landmark in France. The island is free to visit, but to enter the famous abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, an entry ticket is required. The beautiful abbey is very popular among tourists. In high season, tickets can be sold out several days in advance. Fortunately, it is possible to book your tickets online so you are guaranteed to visit the abbey.

Video: Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy

Where is Mont Saint-Michel in France?

Car: If you are driving from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, you can follow the A-13 route to the French village of Beauvoir. A sizable parking area is located close to Beauvoir. This is the parking area of Mont Saint-Michel. The approximate cost of parking is 20 euros. A free shuttle bus will bring you from the parking area to Mont Saint-Michel.

Train: It is possible to visit Mont Saint-Michel by train. You can reach Mont Saint-Michel in 4 hours from Paris. You depart from the Montparnasse train stop in Paris and travel to the Pontorson train stop in France. From Pontorson, a free shuttle bus will bring you to Mont Saint-Michel.

Day tour from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel: It is possible to schedule an arranged day trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel. The distance from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel is 360 km and takes about 3.5 hours. From the heart of Paris, a luxury bus will take you to the beautiful abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. An arranged day tour starts at 130 euros per person (more information and bookings).