You too can visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, a bold and legendary work of art, listed as one of France’s most beautiful monuments.
A visit to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is a classic French tourist attraction. Twice a day, separated from the mainland by an exceptional tidal phenomenon, the rock in the Bay of the same name radiates a positive energy that attracts crowds from all over the world every year. Discover the magic that has reigned for centuries in these sometimes mysterious holy places.
Stroll its streets, enter the Abbey of a Thousand Secrets and discover its history and mysteries! In fact, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know before visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, to make your discovery as easy as possible.
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey in brief
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ilya Shimanskiy
An emblematic monument in France, it stands on the border formed by the Couesnon River between Brittany and Normandy, on the immense rock of the Bay.
As a result, its belonging to one region or the other has long been disputed. Even today, some Bretons still lay claim to the mount, motivated by a grudge that has become traditional. But above all, Mont-Saint-Michel is a commune whose name comes from the mount dedicated to Saint-Michel, where the abbey we know today was built.
Beyond its immense historical dimension, it’s also the architecture that attracts the crowds every year. Wrapped in a spiral around the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, the streets bear witness to a glorious past. Old stones, sagging roofs… And let’s not forget that the famous Abbey dates back to the year 709, which doesn’t make it any younger. More than 13 centuries separate us, and yet the building remains one of the bay’s emblems.
Spiritual dimension
The abbey’s spiritual importance is well known. Indeed, many pilgrimages are organized here, and the very origin of the building is religious. Several orders have succeeded one another through the ages: Canons, Benedictines and, currently, the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.
However, the most important thing to remember before visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is its intercultural capacity. Whether you’re attracted by its cultural, religious, architectural or historical dimension, you’re sure to find something to suit you!
Our tips for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
Photo credit: Shutterstock – wjarek
Length of visit
The tour is free, so you can spend as much time as you like in the abbey. If you really want to visit each room, take a few photos and appreciate the architecture in every detail, then allow two hours. While some may be prepared to spend an hour or even an hour and a half, true lovers of stone and >history will want to stay longer.
The best time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
As with many crowded monuments, the best time to visit the abbey is first thing in the morning, before 10am. In fact, even if you’re not the first to arrive, because other people will be in an even bigger hurry than you, early usually means fewer people.
So it’s best to avoid the high seasons, when the streets will be teeming with tourists. Instead, visit in winter, especially in January!
Is booking a ticket essential?
Completely. Because when you book, you avoid the long queues at the ticket office. What’s more, you’ll be able to select your arrival time. We’ll take you through the reservation process a little further down in this article.
What to do when you visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey?
What not to miss
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ana del Castillo
Although the entire abbey is inescapable, there are a few points of particular interest. One of these is the splendid Statue of Saint-Michel, enthroned at the very top of the abbey. Rising to 156 meters and measuring almost 4.5 meters, weighing over 500 kilos, it is the symbol of the abbey, all covered in gold.
And don’t miss the Abbey Cloister on the hilltop, with its small mid-20th-century garden.
The list of not-to-be-missed attractions also includes Notre-Dame-sous-Terre, the forgotten abbey church that gave rise to the building we know today. It’s not accessible to everyone, as it often requires a guide holding a professional card or a guide from the Centre des Monuments Nationaux.
Admire the panoramic view of the Bay
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Max Topchii
Situated 80 metres above sea level, the Abbey naturally offers one of the finest views of the Bay… if not the finest! Unobstructed and panoramic, the observatory gives you the opportunity to take in a large part of the bay. The viewpoint is accessible from the Terrasses de l’Abbaye.
We recommend visiting at the end of the day, especially in winter, when the sea has receded and the sun is casting its last colors. An astonishing, breathtaking spectacle.
Attend one of the Fraternity Masses
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel – Fraternités de Jérusalem
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in a powerful, fragrant spiritual atmosphere than to attend one of the masses held at Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.
There’s no need to reserve a place. Just turn up at the abbey door slightly before the times indicated, and you’ll be able to enjoy the religious service.
- Sung Masses: Tuesday to Saturday at 12:0 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays at 11:15 a.m.;
- Lauds: Tuesday to Friday at 6:50 am; weekends, public holidays and August at 7:50 am;
- Les Vêpres: Tuesday to Saturday at 6:20 p.m.
How much does a ticket to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey cost?
There aren’t many different rates for access to the abbey, but rather a lot of free admission depending on your profile.
- Base rate: €11 ;
- Partnership rate: €9;
The partnership rate applies on presentation of a Cité de la Mer, Vieilles Maisons Françaises, Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo, Sociétaire du Crédit Agricole, Brittany Ferries, Cezam or Les Amis du Louvre card; - Under 18s: free ;
- European residents aged 18 to 25: free ;
- Disabled people (and their companions): free of charge;
Free admission also applies to jobseekers and people on minimum social benefits, students in architectural studies, war veterans and their companions.
How do I book a ticket for Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey online?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Daniela Migliorisi
We advise you to book your ticket for a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey online, to avoid waiting in line. To book, go to the abbey’s website and in the « Prepare your visit » tab, choose « Buy your ticket in advance ».
Then simply select your day and time of arrival, and specify the nature of your ticket. To this, you can add options: buy a « Itinéraire du Patrimoine » book (in French), an audioguide or make a donation to the abbey.
Please note that if you have purchased your ticket from a tourist office, hotel or works council, you can still book online. All you have to do is select an arrival time.
Are there guided tours of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey?
Private guided tours of the abbey are available. If you wish to be guided by a specialist lecturer who will give you all the details of the building, this is possible, but the price is a little higher: 400€ for groups of up to 30 people.
On the other hand, there’s no other way to take advantage of guided tours than through a tour guide. That said, if your budget doesn’t allow it, there is an audioguide option available with the purchase of your ticket.
Opening hours
Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is an uninterrupted daily experience. The opening times are as follows:
- September to April: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ;
- May to August: 9h00 – 19h00 ;
- Closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
How do I get to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey?
The easiest way to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is by car. If you’re coming from the north, east or south, you’ll need to take the A84 freeway towards Avranches. Of course, if you’re coming from Brittany, the national roads will do, so there’s no need to take the freeway, even from Rennes.
You can also arrive by train. The nearest station is Pontorson (50), 9 kilometers away. Connections from larger stations (Rennes and Paris) take you there. These connections can include bus journeys, in particular the Pontorson bus, which takes you directly to Mont-Saint-Michel.
You can also arrive by plane, via Dinard-Pleurtuit, Rennes or Caen-Carpiquet airports. As these airports are 70, 75 and 130 kilometers away, respectively, we invite you to enquire about car rentals to reach the mountain and its abbey.
To get to the Abbey, regular shuttle buses run between the numerous parking lots and the entrance to the mountain. Alternatively, the Pontorson bus mentioned above offers two very close stops: one at the Caserne and the other just 350 metres from the entrance to the mountain.
The rest of the way is on foot or by bike. Three bicycle parking areas are available along the footbridge to Mont-Saint-Michel. But these areas are not guarded, so please bring anti-theft devices and sufficient protection for your bike.
Please note that only guide dogs are accepted on board the shuttles. So if you’re taking your dog with you on vacation, there’s a kennel service available at €8.60 per day per animal.
Where can I park near Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey?
The commune of Mont-Saint-Michel is very well organized when it comes to visitor parking. Just over a dozen parking lots are available for travelers. People with reduced mobility, hotel guests, campers and two-wheelers can park in dedicated parking lots.
For cars, 7 parking lots are available. These parking areas are vast, allowing many people to find a spot before boarding the shuttle bus to the mountain. The great advantage of this huge area is that at its entrance, you’ll find an information center that will be able to answer any questions you may have. Toilets are also available.
The parking lots are about 3.2 kilometers from Mont-Saint-Michel. As mentioned above, you can either take the shuttle bus or walk to the site.
Parking rates
Parking rates vary between low season (October-May) and high season (June-September).
For a car :
- 24h parking: €9.10 or €14.20;
- Evening offer for entries between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.: €4.60;
- Payment for a lost ticket: €27.30 and €42.60;
- Annual season ticket: €25.30.
For a motorcycle :
- 24h parking: €4.60 or €5.60;
- Payment for a lost ticket: €13.80 or €16.80.
For motorhomes (or vans) less than 8 metres long :
- 24h parking: €12.10 or €17.80;
- Payment for a lost ticket: €36.10 or €53.40.
These fees go a long way towards maintaining and preserving the environment of Mont-Saint-Michel, its Abbey and its Bay. They ensure that the Mont and its Abbey are always ready to welcome curious visitors.
Where to stay near Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey?
There’s a wealth of accommodation on offer in the vicinity of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Between the hotels on the rock and those in La Caserne, Pontorson or Avranches, you can dream away with the Abbey in your sights. As a tourist destination, the Abbey can meet the demand for accommodation.
Find nearby hotels, campsites, inns, B&Bs or AirBnBs, always at the best price if you consult a hotel comparator. Also, for nomadic travelers, motorhome parks are reserved for the parking and use of these homes on wheels.
Now you’re ready to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey!