Vacation and Resort Reviews in Our Blog

Mont Saint Michel is a rocky island in the mouth of Coeusnon river in about one mile off the Normandy coast. The island is famous for its Benedictine Abbey (build in 11th-16th centuries) dominating the top of the island. This fortified closter is a fine sample of French medieval architecture. The abbey remains active today with about 50 monks still living there. Mont Saint Michel is a major tourist attraction visited by about 3.5 million people a year.

The legends of King Arthur and his knights have many references to Mont Saint Michel. It is said that the Holy Grail is hidden somewhere in the thick walls of the abbey.

Mont Saint Michel was also an inspiration the the design of Minas Tirith in Peter Jackson’s epic movie trilogy ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Another artist inspired by the closter was Mike Oldfield, who wrote a fantastic track ‘Mont Saint Michel’ for his album ‘Voyager’ (1996).

Mont Saint Michel has a British twin: St Michael’s Mount, situated in Penwith in west Cornwall. It has the same appearance as a large cluster of medieval buildings on a top of a round rocky island.

More pictures of Mont Saint Michel (Click to see the HQ 1024×756 versions)

Mont Saint Michel Aerial View

Mont Saint Michel Spire

Inside the Benedectine Abbey

Flower Fields at Mont Saint Michel

Low Tide

Abbey Close-up

Mont Saint Michel at Night

Here is a video I found on Youtube featuring some cool pictures of Mont Saint
Michel:

More info on Mont Saint Michel

Wikipedia article

Mont Saint Michel at Castles.org

Frommer’s tourist reviews of Mont Saint Michel

Planning a Trip to Mont Saint Michel

For those planning to visit Mont Saint Michel, I would recommend a hotel located inside the walls of the abbey, which is also highly recommended by other travelers. Here, for example, what a traveler from Norwalk, CT says about La Mere Poulard Hotel

Perfect Location!

La Mere Poulard Hotel was absolutely perfect! The location is ideal right inside the walled city. Friendly, knowledgeable and efficient staff and the accommodations were clean and sparkling. Mont Saint Michel is aboslutely spectacular, and then staying at La Mere Poulard Hotel just sealed the deal. We wanted to extend our stay! But be warned better to have small, light luggage as you do have to carry it up, up, up! We would come to stay again and this time eat at La Mere Poulards restaurant. More info and booking form can be found here.

Tips for people visiting Mont Saint Michel:

Pack light because there are a lot of steps getting to your room. What you don’t need leave in your car. If you are going to tour the Abby get there early in the morning before the tour buses arrive in the dozens.

Sightseeing takes a lot of walking up and down. And we are talking some 260 feet up. But it’s worth it. Comfortable clothing/shoes is a must. And while parking and walking outside, remember that the tide can be really high. Twice a day the sea reaches at least some parts of the wall (or all parts on some days), so you may get cut off on the far side while walking around the rock.

There are many restaurants at the Mont Saint Michel, but the one at the Hotel de la Mere Poulard is just fenomenal! Go for one of the prix fix menus and you won’t be disappointed.

Ensure you check times of tours for Mont Saint Michel. Times were restrictive depending on desired language and if not staying more than a day.

You can use this form from Priceline.com to book hotels at Mont Saint Michel. Look for Saint Malo, France, the closest city to Mont Saint Michel, some hotels are in the walking distance from the attraction. Or book the hotel described above - it is on the island itself.