Mont Saint Michel is a UNESCO site and a top tourist attraction of Normandy and France. It consists of a fortified Benedictine abbey occupying the top of an islet and a walled settlement below. And due to its fame, the site attracts travelers from around the world. Thus, read Top Travel and Tours' Mont Saint Michel information to ensure the best experience.
Among everything else, you'll find out:
- How much time to plan for your visit
- How much do tickets cost
- Opening hours of the monastery
- What to do to avoid (long) queuing
- And tourist highlights
Table of Contents
Basic Mont Saint Michel Information (Prices and Times)
| Mont Saint Michel Ticket Prices | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Type | Full Price | Reduced Price | Free | Notes | ||||
| Entry to the Abbey | €11 | €9 | Children under 18, EU citizens under 25, and handicapped visitors with an accompanying person | / | ||||
| Chronicles of the Mount Night Show (July and August) | €15 | €12 | Children under 7 | Advanced group ticket (6+ people) is €12 per visitor | ||||
| Mont Saint Michel Opening Hours | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section | September to April | May to August | Closed | Notes | ||||
| Monastery | 9:30 to 18:00 | 9:00 to 19:00 | December 25, January 1, May 1 | High tides render access to the islet via causeway inaccessible for a few hours per year. | ||||
| Old Town | 24/7 | |||||||
| Chronicles of the Mount Night Show | Not Available | Monday–Saturday from 19:30 to 23:45 in July and August | Not Available | If you enter the abbey grounds during regular hours and remain, you don't need to pay for the show. | ||||
NOTE: The last admission to the hilltop monastery is one hour before the closing time.
Quick Mont Saint Michel Tips (Duration and Top Attractions)
Mont Saint Michel is the most visited French attraction outside the Paris and Ile-de-France region. Thus, you may need to queue for the ticket whenever you arrive at the abbey entrance. To minimize the time you spend waiting in line, do the following:
- Arrive early in the morning, even before opening times during summer, if possible
- Show up after mid-afternoon (15:00)
- Avoid visiting the mount during weekends and holidays
- If you can, plan a tour anywhere from November to March
- Purchase a ticket online to skip the line whatever the season
How Much Time to Plan for a Visit and What to See?
| Mont Saint Michel Visit Duration | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | Hilltop Abbey | Walled Town | Notes | |||
| Ultra Quick | 30–45 minutes | 10–20 minutes | These times don't include queuing for the ticket at the monastery entrance. Hire a local guide to explore walls from the outside because of quicksand. | |||
| Quick | 45 minutes to 1:15 hours | 30 minutes to 1 hour | ||||
| Average | 1:30–2:30 hours | 1–1:30 hours | ||||
| Top Mont Saint Michel Points of Interest | ||
|---|---|---|
| Abbey | La Merveille (The Miracle—a 3-floor monastic complex) with cloisters and Knights' Room, Church, a replica of Saint Michael's statue adorning the spire, views of the countryside | |
| Old Town | Grand Rue (Street), Eglise St-Pierre (St-Pierre Church), fortifications | |
