Discover UNESCO: Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay
Situated on a small rocky island just off the coast between Normandy and Brittany Mont Saint-Michel is an impossible to miss landmark when driving along the Atlantic coast of France. The Gothic style abbey with its tall rising spire, situated on the already 92 meter high peak of a natural granite island is not only considered the Wonder of the Western World, but this unusual UNESCO site is also visible for miles along the flat landscape of the coastal area. Once only accessible during low tide, the current removal of the artificial dam in combination with the construction of a stilted bridge ensures that Mont Saint-Michel will soon appear in its former glory again, as an actual island surrounded by the sea…
Quick Facts
- This UNESCO site consists of an island commune, about one kilometer off the coast by Avranches in Normandy, France.
- The big abbey was built between the 11th and the 16th century, the UNESCO inscription happened in 1979.
- Included are the exterior fortifications, the village in-between, the central abbey and the bay with its salt march meadows.
- The abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is open from 9am to 7pm between May and August and from 9.30am to 6pm between September and April.
- The entrance fee to the abbey is 9 euros and for all four museums 18 euros. Parking cost 6,20 euros for two hours, or 12,30 euros for the day.
The Architecture of Mont Saint-Michel
Central Abbey of the Wonder of the West, Mont Saint-Michel, France
Stone Village of Mont Saint-Michel, between Abbey and Fortifications
Towers and Fortifications at the Bottom of Mont Saint-Michel in France
The Tourist Wonder of the Western World
Mass of People pushing through the Alleyways of Mont Saint-Michel
One-hour Line at the Abbey Entrance of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France
Why this is a UNESCO Site
Built in a unique natural location, Mont Saint-Michel is considered a technical and artistic wonder since it had to fully adapt to the site specific challenges. It is also one of the first places dedicated to Archangel Michael and represents graphically the feudal society of its time, from the elevated abbey down to the defense walls and fishermen’s houses.
Thoughts and Observations
As stunning as the sight of Mont Saint Michel was from a distance, as sobering was the experience of an actual visit, especially during high season. With more than 3 million visitors per year, this tiny little island was simply flooded with people, slowly making their way up to the abbey in a continuous stream. Being left with no other choice, we visited the small village in the same speed as everyone else since we were part of the same human mass that was pushed through the narrow alleyways and along a seemingly endless line of expensive souvenir shops.
“Avoid Mont Saint-Michel or go really, really early” was the recommendation of fellow travellers and while we tried to be there first-thing in the morning, the lot of other people apparently had the same idea. The high price tag for the abbey in combination with a one hour line, added to our frustration, as did the fact that the so-called village consisted of 4 museums, 5 hotels, 8 restaurants and some 25 tourist shops. While a visit during low season could potentially be quite enjoyable, during the summertime finding a quiet side alley on this tiny island seemed to be in fact the real wonder of the western world…
What to do at Mont Saint-Michel
People spending the Day and having a Picnic on Mont Saint-Michel Island
The Wonder of the Western World, Mont Saint-Michel from the Distance
Tips and Recommendations
- Tip: Since visiting the abbey means waiting in line for about an hour, you will need to pay for the full day parking ticket. This means a visit to this UNESCO site will cost at least 30 euros for two people, or 66 euros if you include the museums. So make the best out of this situation, bring a picnic and spend the whole day on the island as everyone else does as well.
- Budget Tip: Visiting the island and village of Mont Saint-Michel is for free and as long as you return to your car within two hours the whole visit costs a total of 6,20 euros. Just make sure to factor in enough time for the shuttle buses. Or simply enjoy the views of the island from the distance, save the money and ditch the crowds altogether.
Personal Rating
- Go right now!
- Definitely go soon
- Go if you are around
- Stop by if you are bored
- Consider missing it
While the architecture is great and the location of Mont Saint-Michel is nothing but stunning, a visit to this so-called Wonder of the Western World cannot be fully recommended due to the masses of people and the high entry prices.
Getting There
Mont Saint-Michel is only a short drive away from Avranches and can best be reached by car. Make sure to drive as close to the coast as possible to enjoy the beautiful views from the distance.
Have you been to Mont Saint-Michel? Would you visit despite the crowds and prices?
This post is part of Travel Photo Mondays and Sunday Traveler above.
I’m really in love with your personal rating system. Really narrows down just how excited I should be before I decide upon going somewhere ;D
Dale recently posted…Second Chances And The Street Art Of Montpellier
Thanks a lot Dale! Unfortunately Mont Saint-Michel didn’t really make up high on the ranking, but maybe the lesser excitement would actually help to enjoy this otherwise really beautiful UNESCO site…
I have to admit Mont Saint Michel does look very pretty but when we were in that part of the world we decided not to go at the end for lack of time, it looks like we missed out?
Franca recently posted…Second Chances And The Street Art Of Montpellier
Well Franca, I guess it depends in which season you went there. If it was the high tourist season, you didn’t miss anything. But if it was off season, a visit to Mont Saint-Michel might actually have been quite worth the while…
This is somewhere that we have wanted to visit for a while now but every time we head out that way we seem to run out of time really quickly and end up having to put it on the list of things to do when we return. That queue, however, highlights that we need to arrange to be there first thing when we do go.
Tam Gamble recently posted…Chris Backe – ‘Dont’ let competition stop you from writing’
Tam, not only the queue but also the whole high season probably wants to be avoided if you like to have an enjoyable experience at Mont Saint-Michel. Just keep it on your list until the time is right… 😉
Beautiful photos…
Muza-chan recently posted…The Golden Crow Castle
Thanks a lot Lili, it’s great to hear that you liked the photos of the UNESCO enlisted Mont Saint-Michel…
I’ve always wanted to see Mont Saint Michel. There is just something about the imagery that speaks to the fairytale lover in me. Too bad about the vast amount of people. I think I would be equally as annoyed. Note to self to go in the off season!
Adelina // Pack Me To recently posted…20 Photos to Make You Want To Travel to Oregon
Definitely aim to visit Mont Saint-Michel off season Adelina. Unfortunately I can’t really promise that things will be much better, but considering how busy it was when we visited, it really can’t get much worse. I am sure when the place is empty, a visit could be quite rewarding…
Of course having lived in Los Angeles, am used to wait at least one to 1 1/2 hrs. in the weekend for a seat in a fairly good restaurant. But for the Louvre we waited 2 hours in line, mon amie:) It’s just what one is uded to, and if it’s worth waiting for!
jesh StG recently posted…PUMPKIN SEASON
You are probably right that Mont Saint-Michel would be worth waiting for, but for some reason we didn’t see it that way when we were there. Besides having to pay for the full day of parking, the 18 euros for the entrance and the prospect of being pushed through the whole interior of the abbey by the endless stream of people, we rather opted for the short visit. By the way, I would also rather go somewhere else than wait 1 1/2 hours for a restaurant seat… 😉
I’m glad to read such a realistic write up about visiting Mont Saint Michel. We strongly considered going there a few Junes ago but ended up crossing it off the list due to lack of time. I do think that the masses of people would have made it far less romantic and other worldly than it appears in all the other photos I see. Perhaps that’s why they always show it from far away? I really like that photo of yours with it rising above the fields. Not the usual vantage point.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Penang’s colonial past at the Old Protestant Cemetery
Thanks a lot Michele! The view from the fields with the rolls of hay was my favorite as well and I am glad we managed to hit the breaks and jump out of the van to take some photos. In general I believe that your observation is correct and Mont Saint-Michel is probably best enjoyed from the distance. We were actually camping out at the beach before we visited and seeing this so called wonder of the western world in the early morning fog was actually really nice…
wonderful photos. we went in april and there were some crowds, but nothing to dissuade you from going. i knew my boyfriend would think this interesting, so i wanted to go and am glad we did. your post reminded me that i still haven’t posted all my france pics from back in april!
b
the cape on the corner recently posted…Pumpkin Carve Past
Thank you very much! I am glad to hear that you found it worth going to Mont Saint-Michel despite the crowds. I am actually regretting that we didn’t make it inside. Please do post your photos, so we can at least have a look… 😉
I think a definite highlight is seeing Mont Saint-Michel in the evening light from afar. As you can spot it from quite distance from the surrounding beaches, so a good idea is to take a walk along the sand in view of the island and enjoy it as the light fades. Quite beautiful, stress/cost free and rather romantic.
Agreed Mayra, Mount Saint-Miches was best enjoyed from the distance. And the beach made for a perfectly distant location to watch the sunset and even enjoy a breakfast with the view of this so called Wonder of the Western World…
Mont Saint Michel certainly is a beautiful place … it’s just a shame that it has become a victim of its own success!
Caroline recently posted…The most adventurous things to do in Australia!
You are certainly right Caroline, Mount Saint-Michel is technically a lovely place, but it simply can’t handle the amounts of tourists… :/
Couldn’t agree with you more, Dennis. Totally overrun and totally over priced. After all the stuff we’d read about what a unique site this is, it turned out to be beautiful, yet very disappointing at the same time.
Tom Bartel recently posted…Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Tom, I guess it proves us once more that it is never good to have any expectations. Mount Saint-Michel is definitely beautiful, but that beauty is unfortunately best enjoyed from the distance, in peace and without a price tag…
I have never been (or heard of it for that matter), but it looks really beautiful! I went to a castle that I did not fall in love with over the summer, and I would probably rate it similarly. That being said, if I were in the area, I would stop by 😀
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer recently posted…Exploring Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore