12 Very Best Things to do in Mont Saint Michel

Planning our first-ever road trip through France, we were absolutely not going to miss the chance to finally set foot in one of the most iconic places in Europe. Of course, I’m referring to the one and only… Mont Saint-Michel!

This “Wonder of the West” is second only to Paris when comparing numbers of visitors. Surprisingly, Mont saint Michel’s entry into the UNESCO world heritage sites list only happened in 1979.
This is one of the most magical places in Europe, and I can’t wait to share with you our list of the 12 very best things to do in Mont Saint Michel.

As you drive towards the sea, the “island” emerges so spectacularly from behind golden fields of wheat, that you’ll struggle to keep your eyes on the road. It’s hard not to stop at every given picture opportunity. As a result, we ended up having a pretty tough time picking the best shots back at home.

The medieval town rises gracefully from the shallows. Towering above its mighty walls, Mont Saint Michel truly lives up to the legend, which claims it was “conceived in a Dream”.

What even the most stunning pictures on the web can’t describe is how the rising and falling of the tide sparks the citadel to life. From one hour to the next, you’ll be amazed to discover a new version of the Mont. This is the ever-changing nature of Mont Saint Michel.

You need a tidal coefficient between 90 and 105 to witness the incredible metamorphosis of Mont St. Michelle.
Be careful: anything higher than that threatens to submerge the bridge and cut you off from the mainland. But hey, there are worse places to be stuck in.

There are several ways to reach the village: you can hop on a free shuttle, “Passeur” or ride a collective horse-pulled carriage known as “Maringote“. After the long drive, we decided a scenic walk on the pier would suit us best and was perfect for taking photos too.

If you consider taking an adventurous solo stroll across the silt, think twice: sudden tidal shifts and quicksand pools have made the bay infamous for claiming the lives of pilgrims on their journey to the abbey.

So please don’t take any chances and let a professional guide you across the bay. This experience is far safer and enjoyable. You’ll meet new travel buddies and learn something new about the lagoon.

Walking our way up the mountain, a mesmerizing live-fire kitchen show caught our eye. At “La Mere Poulard” the fluffiest omelets you’ve ever seen are still made following the 130-year-old recipe, which remains secret to this day. 

While watching the chef at work is free, an “Omelette à la Poulard” costs at least €30. To be fair, food, in general, is expensive everywhere within the walls. That is why you should always bring a packed lunch along.

Filled with colorful blade signs and medieval timber-frame buildings, the Gran Rue is mostly souvenir shops and restaurants. The high street is also the preferred way to reach the Abbey, and summit, of Mont Saint Michel. Therefore, it is always packed with tourists, strollers, and crate trolleys. 

While the Gran Rue is definitely worth seeing, its boutiques are not so impressive. I personally found the Librairie du Sanctuaire which is actually also a local products shop, most interesting. You can access the bookshop both from the walls walk and the high street.

Roam up the Grand Rue just until the Hotel La Croix Blanche, on your left you’ll see the steep steps of Cuckold’s Alley. Venelle du Guet, known by the locals as “Ruelle des cocus”, is the narrowest street in town. The alley is in fact so narrow, that no one bearing “horns” could fit between the two buildings, hence its name.

As you can imagine, the alleys are usually packed with tourists during high season. A wonderful way to get some fresh air is climbing the walls to snatch stunning views of the bay from one of the 7 towers of the ramparts.

Like us, many might think that the walls-walk takes you all around the island. In reality, the village occupies barely half of the surface of the mountain. The only way to glimpse the sea-facing side of the islet is from the abbey terrace or the sandy plains around the Mont.

The panoramic terrace and the cloister, open to the West, make the little hike to the Abbey absolutely worth it. Remember to book your visit online to skip the queue at the ticket office.

While nose up in the nave, we were suddenly, but politely, ushered out the abbey. That is how we found out that monks and nuns still live in the premises. While everyone is welcome to join in prayer, if you prefer to avoid interfering with their schedule, visit outside liturgical hours.

Between the church and the refectory is the medieval cloister. A quiet place that is the true gemstone of the abbey complex. This enclosed garden was never completed, and its side still opens to a sheer panorama to the west. Between you and this vertiginous fall stands only a thin glass window. Definitely my favorite part of the visit. 

The lower half of the abbey complex is referred to as the “Merveille” (wonder). The building is a real architectural masterpiece, devised well ahead of its time. Built in the 11th century, and divided in three levels, this gothic construction looks more like a fort than an abbey. 

Everyone will tell you, that the best place to admire the rising of the tides is the North Tower of the bastions. I swear it is much nicer to be on the West terrace of the Abbey, not only it is higher, but also much less crowded than the walls.

This little church is nestled on the left side of the Grand Rue. As it is much smaller than the Abbey and less colorful than the surrounding buildings, it is very easy to miss. Built in the 15 hundreds, unlike the Abbey, St. Pierre is the church of the people.

As you cross the threshold, you will be greeted by a warm and intimate atmosphere. Thousands of candles are always lit and make you wonder how many pilgrims in the centuries said a prayer between those walls.

Even though it is dedicated to St. Peter, the protector of the fishermen, you’ll find this great statue of St. Michael inside.
Protected by the church lays a secluded cemetery, whose only visitors are the island cats. A sad reminder of how few people still inhabit Mont Saint Michel.

Out of the list of very best things in Mont Saint Michel to do, walking around the perimeter of the citadel is one of my favorites.
Firstly, there is nothing better than some solitude after hours spent like sardines inside the Intramuros.

Secondly, outside the walls is a secret chapel from the 12th century dedicated to St. Aubert. As the story goes, it stands, on the last pagan menhir, demolished during the Abbey works.
Sadly, the small construction is always closed, but it does make for a very cute photo point.

A place many may overlook is the quaint town of Pontorson. We also made this mistake on our first visit!
Pontorson is the ideal base to visit Mont Saint Michel. Not only does it offer several quick lunch and shopping opportunities, it also boasts a nice local Market on Wednesdays.

As we meandered around town, this peculiar church emerged from the low timber houses.
The Romanesque style of Notre Dame de la Paix surely reminds you of something by now. Exactly: the same builders responsible for Mont Saint Michel’s Abbey did apply their craft here, hence the resemblance!

The ancient gravestones that make up the floor of the nave are a remarkable and at the same time quite macabre feature I will never forget.
An interesting detail to the left of the choir is also the Chapel of Broken Saints. Inside, a vandalized altarpiece testifies to the religious suppression during the French Revolution.

The best brunch/breakfast café in town is by far La Fabrique. While not typically french, this establishment is surely geared up to satisfy all tourists desires and needs.

When you are around Mont Saint Michel, one of the very best things to do is to try some local produce. I am not talking about oysters or Camembert, let’s not get confused with St Malo here. The region is also known for its exceptional Calvados and the unique Agneau de pré-salé.

Since you will be driving back and forth to the Mont, keep a look-out for the Ferme d’Antan.
This place is a safe heaven, there is shade to rest and refreshing Norman cider to sip on, on a hot summer day. Right next to the shop are cute farm animals as well, entertaining travellers of any age.

Another great place off the beaten track is Le Pressoir du Mont. The owners of this little bar are super nice and often offer a free tasting. Some of their products even won several awards, all on display inside.

Pré-salé literally means “salted-meadow”. Thanks to the constant changing of the tides, the pastures are regularly covered by seawater, becoming salted.
In other words, these lambs come already naturally seasoned!
Prés-salés lamb of Mont-Saint-Michel is now an AOP and also the trademark of Mont saint Michel farming.

These cuties are not only a delicacy of the marshland, but also an unrivaled addition to your pictures.

Personally, I much prefer sipping on cider, and photographing the black sheep with my drone instead of chewing on them. Check this post for our amazing Mont Saint Michel drone shots gallery.

The entire bay is a living canvas of shapes, textures and colors! You, too, are a thirsty photographer? Then you have your work cut out for you here.

Golden fields, stunning sunsets, enchanted reflections as far as the eye can see and some not-so-wild life too!

Have you stumbled upon that iconic picture of a water serpentine with a tiny Mont Saint Michel in the background, but have no idea where to find the spot? No worries, we’ve got you covered.

Follow these coordinates, and you’ll get to this great spot without hesitation! You can also try walking from the pedestrian bridge and back again, but this will take over an hour.

The best solution is to arrive early bells and park your car (or get dropped) around the tiny hamlet of La Rive. You will see this wooden gate and, to its right, a “pedestrian crossing“.

An early bird bonus is watching the immense flock of black sheep running to the marshlands!

Now, it is true that Mont Saint Michel is always stunning. But on the other hand, I find it to be most impressive at sunset. We found this great picnic spot on our last visit, bring your own wine and cheese and let the bay work its magic. 

This “secret” meadow is basically in the middle of the marshlands, meaning, wear comfortable shoes and absolutely carry some insect repellent with you.
Even though there is some serious walking to do, parking is always available, and it is free of charge.

Keep in mind, that you need a long lens to get a result similar to the picture on the left. If you try with a regular camera or your phone, it will look more like the photo on the right.

Windmills once turned in large number around the bay. Although many stopped working, a few are still functioning and open for visits, like the Moulin de Moidrey dating from 1806.

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage in 2007, this windmill is now open to the public for guided tours, to purchase some local groceries or just for an unusual picture opportunity on the way to or from the Mont.

This post was all about the 12 things you can’t miss on your next visit to Mont Saint Michel. Did we convince you to add this destination to your bucket list? Follow us on Pinterest for our latest travel tips, and if you liked this article: