Seemingly rising out of the sea on the Normandy coast, Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island and town in northern France. It’s famed for the beautifully preserved Benedictine abbey at its peak, with a network of atmospheric streets winding through the medieval town below.
Things to do in Le Mont-Saint-Michel
The main street of Mont Saint-Michel is the Grande Rue, which is lined with 15th and 16th-century stone houses occupied by souvenir shops and cafes. Hidden behind the Eglise Saint-Pierre is the Musée Historique where antique weapons and religious artefacts detail life here throughout the centuries. Also worth visiting is the Archeoscope, which features multimedia displays about the town’s construction and a 3D model of Mont Saint-Michel.
Rising atop Mont Saint-Michel is L’Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel, an architectural masterpiece that was designated as a Monument Historique in 1862. It was constructed between the 8th and 16th centuries in a variety of architectural styles and is reached along the 350 steps of the Grande Staircase. Visit the Aumônerie pilgrim dormitory and the vaulted Salle des Chevaliers before experiencing the tranquility of the cloisters.
Mass is celebrated daily at the Eglise Saint-Michel, which features an impressive Romanesque nave and a 16th-century choir designed in a Flamboyant Gothic style. After visiting the church, you can climb the Dentelle Staircase that leads to the Grand Terrace for spectacular views across the English Channel and the mouth of the Sélune.
Getting around Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a 15-minute drive or bus ride from the Pontorson railway station, from where trains connect to Rennes and Paris. Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport is just over an hour away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Walking is the best way to explore Mont Saint-Michel.