Visiting the Mont
Cars cannot drive onto the island. Visitors park on the mainland near the visitor centre and take the free shuttle across the bridge, or walk about 45 minutes. Inside the walls, the Grande Rue climbs past shops and restaurants to the abbey, whose church, cloister and refectory crown the rock.
The bay has some of the largest tides in Europe. On the highest spring tides the sea surrounds the island, which is a spectacular sight. Never walk on the sands without a qualified guide: quicksand and the incoming tide are dangerous.
Getting there
From Paris, the quickest public transport is the TGV from Montparnasse to Rennes (about 1 hour 30 minutes), then a direct bus to the Mont (about 1 hour 10 minutes). Trains also run to Pontorson, with a local bus to the Mont. See Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel.
Tips
- Arrive early or stay late to avoid the midday crowds.
- Staying overnight on or near the island lets you see the Mont lit up at night.
- Check the tide tables if you want to see the island surrounded by water.