Le Mont Saint Michel: Once known as Mont Tombe, the rocky island of the Le Mont Saint Michel is shaped by the tides and lives in a thousand tales breathed by centuries’ worth of history. History, which is perhaps as horrifying and wondrous as it is fascinating. Offering one of the most stunning vistas in the world, the island is capped by the Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel, a Benedictine abbey dedicated to the worship of the Archangel Michael.
Declared as a UNESCO world heritage sight, the abbey with its Roman and Gothic architecture looks like something out of a fairytale and gets more than a million visitors every year, both local and international tourists and pilgrims who pay obeisance from all over the world. The walk from the causeway that connects the mainland to the island and eventually leads you to the abbey summit is delightful and offers you astounding panoramic views.
Because of the easing of travel restrictions from EU and non-EU nationals and the reopening of the sight, visitors might want to come prepared when touring the abbey and its surrounding commune. In this guide, we will explore how to structure your visit so that you can get the best experience of your time.
Things to Know Before You Visit Le Mont Saint Michel
Admission
The mediaeval town section of Le Mont St Michel has no opening hours or entry tickets. The admission fee for a visit to the Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel is €11 for adults, though it remains free for EU nationals or permanent residents of France under the age of 25 (otherwise, €8 for 18 to 25-year-olds and free for all children under the age of 18).
Tickets are only available at the abbey gates, so you can either expect to wait in the queue, or buy your tickets online from the abbey, or through companies offering online tickets that allow holders to enter the building directly. Except on December 25, January 1, and May 1, the abbey complex is open throughout the year.
From September to April, the place is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from May to August, it is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last entry is an hour before the closing time.
A light and sound show takes place in the abbey grounds from 7 to 10:30 p.m. during summers. Visitors who arrive before 6 p.m. are welcome to stay for free; otherwise, tickets for the night event may also be purchased separately.
Multilingual guided visits are available for free, though they are subject to availability and scheduled timings. If you miss the guided tour, you can avail the services of a virtual audio guide which costs around €3 and is absolutely worth it.
Tips for visitors
You can plan for a day trip to the island and arrange a picnic lunch. You might also consider staying overnight in the area and enjoying the sites and attractions that are sure to enchant your senses. Since the island is located on the borders of Normandy and Brittany, you can take the time to explore the nearby locales like the Aquarium in Saint Malo or Alligator Bay.
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