Mont Saint-Michel is a real-life fairytale destination. Situated on the northwest coast of France in the Normandy region, the stunning monastery sits on a hilltop overlooking the vast bay surrounding it. When it’s high tide, Mont Saint-Michel becomes an island floating in the distance. Knowing that it was the inspiration for the kingdom in the Disney movie Tangled, Mont Saint-Michel had always been at the top of my bucket list. Little Kaitlin would be over the moon that she got to see it in person! It’s truly a sight to behold and somewhere everyone should visit once in their life.
The history of Mont Saint-Michel is fascinating and complex. It is said that the Archangel Michael appeared in a dream to the Bishop of Avranches requesting for a sanctuary to be built in his honor in 708 AD. Official construction for the church started centuries later in 1023. The site would become an important pilgrimage destination during the many hundreds of years to follow. Mont Saint-Michel was also used as a prison and became a key military fortress during the Hundred Years’ War. During the Second World War, Mont Saint-Michel was liberated by the Allies in 1944 from German occupation. Today Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws in several million visitors each year.
When you arrive at the information center, you can then take a free shuttle bus, bike, or walk along the boardwalk to Mont Saint-Michel. Walking will take at least a half hour, depending on how fast you walk and how many times you stop to take pictures. If you’re able, I would recommend walking to take in all the beautiful views from afar.
During low tide, visitors can walk through the sandy bay area. This is generally only recommended to do with a tour group or guide in order to avoid possible dangers like quicksand. During high tide, Mont Saint-Michel is still accessible thanks to the main bridge connecting it to the mainland. In extreme cases, however, the tide rises so much that even the bridge is under water, and the monastery becomes an island.
The main thing to see once you’ve reached Mont Saint-Michel is the Abbey at the very top. While you do have to buy a ticket to go inside, it is certainly worth it because there is so much to explore inside. Plus, there are some incredible viewpoints where you can see for miles in every direction that you won’t have access to otherwise.
Given how small Mont Saint-Michel is, it’s amazing how many shops and restaurants there are squeezed into the tiny streets. There are plenty of opportunities to buy souvenirs and gifts. When it comes to food, there are plenty of options from nicer fine-dining restaurants to more casual bistros. And of course, many creperies!
Be sure to walk along the outer wall and catch a different viewpoint of the bay from each tower. Everywhere you look is picturesque.
The best thing about visiting Mont Saint-Michel is simply wandering the streets and exploring every little nook and cranny. It’s not huge, so you really don’t need more than several hours to see everything. That being said, give yourself plenty of time to take everything in, explore the Abbey, and enjoy a meal.
It is possible to stay in Mont Saint-Michel itself, but hotel options are limited. There are a ton of nice places in the nearby towns, where you can take a bus or car to the drop off point. Mont Saint-Michel is also a very popular day trip from other cities in France, including Paris, which is a 4 hour drive away.
Wherever you come from, Mont Saint-Michel is a worthwhile destination. Its legendary origins and rich history has been preserved through the centuries. It is nothing short of extraordinary. The surrounding area is just gorgeous and I’ll never forget the excitement I felt seeing the monastery in the distance for the first time, like a magical kingdom far far away. I can’t wait to return someday. Until then, I think I’ll go rewatch Tangled for the umpteenth time.
