This is the Best Time to Visit Mont Saint Michel (2025)

The impressive Mont Saint Michel abbey in France is the most fairytale destination in the world. Every year, over three million visitors are drawn to Mont Saint Michel and it has become one of France’s most recognisable landmarks. Only Paris’s Eiffel Tower and the nearby Palace of Versailles receive more tourists. Mont Saint Michel is a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey perched on a rocky island off the coast of Normandy in northwest France. It is now surrounded by its own village of shops, hotels and restaurants. Read on to find out the best time to visit Mont Saint Michel and everything you need to know before you arrive.

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Quick overview on the best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel

• Optimal months: May, June and September for mild weather, better hotel rates and fewer crowds
• Avoid: Late May (marathon weekend), weekends in summer
• Peak season: July-August is the warmest but busiest, special evening events at this time of year
• Best time of day: 9-10am or 3-4pm to avoid queues

How to get to Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint Michel can be reached in around four hours by train from Gare du Nord in Paris. The nearest train station is Gare Pontorson – Mont-Saint-Michel in the town of Pontorson. There’s a dedicated shuttle bus service from here to the Mont Saint-Michel abbey, which takes around 30 minutes.

By car from Paris to Mont Saint Michel takes around 4.5 hours. Next to the parking area is the tourist information centre. From here you can catch the free shuttle bus for visitors, called Le Passeur. Alternatively, you can walk from the parking area to the island via the bridge.

Book a one-day guided tour by coach from Paris to Mont Saint Michel.

The best times of year to visit Mont St Michel

Generally, between March and October is the best time to visit Mont Saint Michel. Visiting in May, June or September will give you a good balance between pleasant weather and not too many crowds. I went on a Monday in May and we didn’t have to queue, but weekends are busier.

Avoid the Mont Saint Michel Bay marathon at the end of the May. This draws 5,000 runners from all over France and many spectators.

While the summer months of July and August are warmest, it will be busy because of the school holidays. However, July and August are the best time to visit Mont Saint Michel if you want to see it at night. During these high season months you can buy tickets for special summer evening events. You’ll experience Mont Saint Michel romantically lit and exceptionally open to visitors after hours.

The optimum time of day to visit Mont Saint Michel

The abbey opens from 9am to 7pm during the peak season of May until August, and from 9:30am to 6pm during the quieter months of September to April.

The best time of day to visit Mont Saint Michel is between 9am and 10am or from 3pm to 4pm. Otherwise you may face a long queue on the bridge to buy your ticket before you’ve even got inside. Because Mont Saint Michel is so popular, it can get very busy with queues stretching along the bridge.

Mont Saint-Michel is illuminated during special summer evening events from July to August, typically starting around 9:30pm when dusk falls. The abbey and ramparts are beautifully lit, creating a magical atmosphere that’s quite different from the daytime experience.

Skip the queue and book your ticket to Mont Saint Michel in advance here.

Where to stay at Mont Saint Michel

You have three main accommodation options when visiting Mont Saint-Michel. You can stay directly on the island itself for the ultimate magical experience, choose hotels near the tourist information centre for the perfect balance of convenience and atmosphere, or base yourself in the charming town of Pontorson for budget-friendly options just 30 minutes away.

The famous hotels on Mont Saint Michel

Staying on the island of Mont Saint Michel means you can wander around this magical place after the tourists have left for the day.

If you choose a hotel on the island, be prepared to bring your luggage on foot over the bridge or using the shuttle service from the car park, 2.5 km away on the mainland.

One of the most famous hotels on the island is La Mère Poulard, which is known for its restaurant’s omelettes. However, the best hotel on Mont Saint Michel is arguably the Auberge Saint Pierre. Here, you will stay in a small but charming 14th century half-timbered house, with exposed beams and modern comforts, including a TV and free Wi-Fi.

To find the best accommodation deals on Mont Saint Michel for your dates, explore this map:

More affordable hotels close to Mont Saint Michel

The best-rated hotel in the area is not actually on the island – it’s the Le Relais Saint Michel near the tourist information centre. Another great option here is the top-rated Mercure Mont Saint Michel. Its restaurant Le Pré Salé is famous in the area for serving delicious seafood and regional specialities. This hotel also has a bar, air-conditioned rooms and plenty of free on-site parking.

If you’re looking for affordable accommodation away from the crowds, check out the hotels in the nearby town of Pontorson. These include the fabulous Hôtel Victor Hugo, set in a renovated historic building and rated highly for its friendly staff. It has a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a bar. We stayed in Pontorson and it was easy to get to and from Mont Saint Michel.

Alternatively, you could stay in the nearby town of Beauvoir, around 3 miles (5 km) from Mont Saint Michel. The Appart’Hôtel Fleurdumont here is popular thanks to its outdoor pool, tennis court and well-furnished apartments with balconies.

Browse and book your room in one of the best hotels in Pontorson, close to Mont Saint Michel.

Things to do in Mont Saint-Michel

The Gothic-style Benedictine abbey is the main attraction and the reason most visitors come to Mont Saint Michel. Walking the ancient ramparts gives you spectacular views across the bay, and you can witness the dramatic tides that transform the landscape twice daily.

As of July 2025, Mont Saint-Michel abbey tickets cost €16 during peak season (June-September) or €13 during off-peak months, with reduced rates of €13 available for late afternoon visits in summer. Visitors under 18 and EU citizens aged 18-25 enter free.

Beyond the abbey itself, there are around fifty shops lining the medieval village streets, perfect for browsing local crafts and souvenirs.

There are also restaurants serving everything from casual crêpes to fine dining featuring the region’s famous seafood and the legendary omelettes that La Mère Poulard made famous.

During July and August, the abbey stays open later than usual for summer evening events with special illuminations.

The history of Mont Saint Michel

While Mont Saint Michel looks like a castle it is actually a Gothic abbey. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, who appears as a golden statue at the top of its spire. Construction began in the 11th century and continued until the 16th century, though the original abbey was founded in 708 AD.

According to legend, in the year 708, Saint Aubert, the bishop of the nearby commune of Avranches, dreamed that Saint Michael the Archangel instructed him to build an abbey on the small rocky island. Medieval pilgrims nicknamed the abbey St. Michael in Peril of the Sea, because of the difficulties in crossing the quicksand surrounding it when the tides are low. Visitors today are still advised not to walk across the sands.

Since 1979 the island has been a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its fairytale looks have inspired the makers of movies such as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Tangled and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Frequently asked questions about Mont Saint-Michel

What time does Mont St Michel light up?

Mont Saint-Michel is illuminated during special summer evening events from July to August, typically starting around 9:30pm when dusk falls. The abbey and ramparts are beautifully lit, creating a magical atmosphere that’s quite different from the daytime experience.

Can you walk to Mont-Saint-Michel during high tide?

Yes, you can always reach Mont Saint-Michel regardless of the tide thanks to the causeway bridge that connects the island to the mainland. The bridge remains accessible at all times, unlike the old walking route across the sands which is not recommended for safety reasons.

Is Mont St Michel worth a day trip?

Absolutely, Mont Saint Michel is definitely worth a day trip. You’ll have enough time to explore the abbey, walk through the medieval village, browse the shops, and enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants. However, if you can manage it, staying overnight allows you to experience the peaceful atmosphere after the day-trippers have departed.

Can you do D-Day Beaches and Mont St Michel in one day?

While it’s technically possible to visit both D-Day Beaches and Mont Saint Michel in one day, the drive between them takes over two hours and both destinations deserve proper time to explore. Consider booking this guided day trip from Paris that covers both attractions.

Final thoughts on the best time to visit Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an unforgettable experience regardless of when you visit. However, timing your trip for the shoulder seasons of May, June or September brings the perfect balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds.

Mont Saint-Michel deserves its place as one of France’s most beloved attractions. The combination of stunning Gothic architecture, fascinating medieval history, and dramatic tidal landscapes creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Next up, if you’re heading to the capital, discover what to wear in Paris in winter.