Practical Information
Essential Information for Your Visit
This comprehensive chapter provides all the practical details needed for a successful visit to Mont Saint-Michel. Information is current as of 2024 but always verify details before traveling, as schedules, prices, and services change seasonally.
Contact Information
Official Tourism Office: - Address: Bureau d'Information Touristique, 50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel - Phone: +33 (0)2 33 60 14 30 - Email: info@ot-montsaintmichel.com - Website: www.ot-montsaintmichel.com
Abbey Administration: - Phone: +33 (0)2 33 89 80 00 - Booking: saint-michel-abbaye@monuments-nationaux.fr - Website: www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr
Emergency Numbers: - General Emergency: 112 - Medical Emergency: 15 - Police: 17 - Fire: 18 - Poison Control: +33 (0)1 40 05 48 48
Operating Hours
Abbey: May 2 - August 31: - Daily: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM - Last admission: 6:00 PM
September 1 - April 30: - Daily: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM - Last admission: 5:00 PM
Closed: - January 1 - May 1 - December 25
Extended Summer Hours: - July-August: Selected evenings until 11:00 PM - Special night visits available
Religious Services (Jerusalem Community): - Lauds: 7:00 AM (weekdays), 8:00 AM (Sunday) - Mass: 12:15 PM daily - Vespers: 6:30 PM (varies seasonally) - Compline: 8:30 PM (summer only)
Admission Prices (2024)
Abbey Entrance: - Adults: €13 - EU citizens 18-25: Free - Under 18: Free (all nationalities) - Disabled visitors: Free - Disabled companion: Free - Groups (20+): €11 per person
Audio Guide: - Standard: €3 - Available languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Guided Tours: - French language: €21 (includes admission) - English language: €21 (includes admission) - Private groups: €130 + admission - Duration: 1.5 hours
Annual Pass: - Individual: €45 - Couple: €75 - Valid at 100+ French monuments
Transportation
Parking: - Standard vehicles: €15/24 hours - Motorcycles: €7.50/24 hours - Camper vans: €20/24 hours - Coaches: €60/24 hours - Disabled parking: Same rates, closer location - Booking: www.bienvenueaumontsaintmichel.com
Shuttle Service (Passeur): - Cost: Free - Frequency: Every 3-15 minutes - Journey time: 12 minutes - First departure: 7:30 AM - Last departure varies: - Summer: 1:00 AM - Winter: 8:00 PM - Wheelchair accessible
Alternative Transport: - Horse-drawn carriages: €6.50/person - Walk: 45 minutes (2.5 km) - Bicycles: Allowed, free transport on shuttle
Accessibility Information
Mobility Challenges: - Village main street: Partially accessible with assistance - Abbey: 350+ steps, no elevator - Ramparts: Limited wheelchair access - Shuttle: Fully accessible - Restaurants: Several accessible options at lower levels
Available Services: - Wheelchair loan at information center - Tactile model of mount - Audio descriptions - Virtual tour tablets - Disabled parking near shuttles - Assistance available from staff
Recommended for Limited Mobility: - Virtual tour experience - Lower village exploration - Rampart accessible sections - Bay views from bridge - Accessible restaurants - Modified guided tours
Accommodation
On the Mount: Limited but atmospheric options:
La Mère Poulard: - Historic hotel - Restaurant famous - €200-400/night - Book far ahead - contact@lamerepoulard.com
Auberge Saint-Pierre: - 3-star hotel - Bay views - €150-250/night - +33 (0)2 33 60 14 03
La Vieille Auberge: - Budget option - Simple rooms - €100-150/night - +33 (0)2 33 60 14 34
Mainland Hotels: More options and better value:
Mercure Mont Saint Michel: - 4-star - Shuttle stop - €120-200/night - Modern amenities
Hotel Vert: - 3-star - Good restaurant - €80-150/night - Family-friendly
Hotel Gabriel: - Budget - Basic comfort - €60-100/night - Parking included
Nearby Towns: - Pontorson (10 km): Budget options - Avranches (25 km): More choice - Saint-Malo (55 km): Beach resort - Cancale (45 km): Seafood paradise
Dining Options
On the Mount:
Fine Dining: - La Mère Poulard: Famous omelets (€35+) - Restaurant Saint-Michel: Gastronomic - Auberge Saint-Pierre: Traditional
Casual Dining: - La Sirène: Crêperie - Le Tripot: Quick service - Various cafés: Light meals
Mainland Restaurants: - Le Relais du Roy: Traditional (€25-40) - La Digue: Seafood focus (€30-45) - Restaurant shuttles available
Specialties to Try: - Pré-salé lamb - Seafood platters - Norman cider - Calvados - Traditional crêpes - Famous omelets
Shopping
Typical Souvenirs: - Regional food products - Books and guides - Photography prints - Religious items - Artisan crafts - Branded merchandise
Recommended Shops: - Librairie du Mont: Excellent book selection - Boutique de l'Abbaye: Quality items - Local artisan workshops: Authentic crafts
Regional Products: - Caramels au beurre salé - Cidre and Calvados - Local honey - Sea salt - Butter cookies - Normandy cheeses
Services and Facilities
On Site: - ATMs: Two locations - Post office: In village - Pharmacy: Limited hours - Public toilets: €0.50 - Luggage storage: At parking - Lost property: Information center
WiFi: - Free in many establishments - Variable quality - Abbey: No public WiFi - Hotels: Usually included
Medical: - First aid: Information center - Pharmacy: Village location - Hospital: Avranches (25 km) - Dentist: Pontorson (10 km)
Weather and Clothing
Climate Averages:
Spring (Mar-May): - Temperature: 8-15°C - Rainfall: Moderate - Wind: Variable
Summer (Jun-Aug): - Temperature: 15-22°C - Rainfall: Lower - Wind: Breezy
Autumn (Sep-Nov): - Temperature: 10-17°C - Rainfall: Increasing - Wind: Strong possible
Winter (Dec-Feb): - Temperature: 3-10°C - Rainfall: Highest - Wind: Storms common
Recommended Clothing: - Layered clothing year-round - Waterproof jacket essential - Comfortable walking shoes (non-slip) - Sun protection summer - Warm layers winter - Wind protection always
Special Events Calendar
Annual Highlights:
February: Les Fééries d'Hiver (light festival) Easter: Special services and celebrations May: St. Michael's Day (May 8) June: Music Festival July-August: Night visits to abbey September: Heritage Days (free entry) September 29: St. Michael's Feast December: Christmas celebrations
Pilgrimage Dates: - Spring: Various groups - July 31: Traditional crossing - September 29: Major pilgrimage - October: Autumn pilgrimages
Photography Guidelines
Permitted: - Personal photography in most areas - Exterior photography - Village scenes - Bay landscapes - Video for personal use
Prohibited: - Flash in abbey church - Tripods during busy periods - Commercial photography (permit needed) - Drone flights - During religious services
Best Photo Spots: - Barrage viewpoint - Mainland at Pontaubault - Western ramparts - Abbey west terrace - Bridge approach
Bay Crossing Information
Authorized Guide Companies: - Chemins de la Baie: +33 (0)2 33 89 80 88 - Découverte de la Baie: +33 (0)2 33 70 83 49 - La Maison de la Baie: +33 (0)2 33 89 06 06
Crossing Options: - Classic 7km crossing - Short discovery walks - Sunset crossings - Full moon walks - Private groups
Prices: - Adults: €15-30 - Children: €8-15 - Groups: Reduced rates - Equipment: Included
Useful French Phrases
Basic Courtesy: - Bonjour/Bonsoir - Hello/Good evening - S'il vous plaît - Please - Merci - Thank you - Excusez-moi - Excuse me - Parlez-vous anglais? - Do you speak English?
At the Mount: - Où est l'abbaye? - Where is the abbey? - À quelle heure? - At what time? - Combien ça coûte? - How much does it cost? - Où sont les toilettes? - Where are the toilets? - C'est complet - It's full/booked
Restaurant: - Une table pour... - A table for... - L'addition - The bill - Eau - Water - Végétarien - Vegetarian
Sustainable Tourism Tips
Minimize Impact: - Use public transport - Stay on marked paths - Support local businesses - Avoid single-use plastics - Respect wildlife - Follow guidelines
Support Conservation: - Donate to restoration - Buy quality souvenirs - Choose certified guides - Report damage - Educate others - Return visits
Apps and Digital Resources
Recommended Apps: - Official Mont Saint-Michel app - Marees.info (tide times) - Maps.me (offline maps) - Google Translate - TripAdvisor
Websites: - www.ot-montsaintmichel.com - www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr - www.bienvenueaumontsaintmichel.com - en.normandie-tourisme.fr
Planning Checklist
One Month Before: - Book accommodation - Reserve restaurants - Check event calendar - Plan transportation - Buy train tickets
One Week Before: - Check weather forecast - Confirm reservations - Review tide times - Download apps - Prepare clothing
Day Before: - Charge devices - Prepare day pack - Check opening hours - Review route - Rest well
Day of Visit: - Early departure - Comfortable shoes - Water and snacks - Camera ready - Open mind
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating walking distances - Ignoring tide times - Wearing inappropriate footwear - Missing last shuttle - Not booking restaurants - Rushing the experience - Forgetting weather protection - Attempting unauthorized bay crossing - Touching ancient stonework - Feeding wildlife
This practical information provides the foundation for a successful visit. Remember that Mont Saint-Michel has welcomed travelers for over 1,000 years—with proper preparation, your experience will add to this ancient tradition of pilgrimage, wonder, and discovery.