Day trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris

We decided to make another trip to Europe to visit things we had not yet previously seen, and we knew that we wanted Mont Saint-Michel to be part of this trip. As our plans already included a trip to Paris to explore the Le Marais area, we enhanced our travel schedule to allow us sufficient time for a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel.

Before you proceed, if you are looking for a video of Mont Saint-Michel, click here to view a really good video of the island. This video was taklen from a drone and is one of the best we've seen! The video is the property of LET'S FLY ! via YouTube.

The next section of this page describes the steps we took to make this a day trip, if you have plans to stay there overnight (or longer) then you can skip forward. We were only interested in the Abbey and not the surrounding area - but admittedly, it is quite pretty.

Caution: We are not (repeat NOT) advocating day-tripping to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris. Our time schedule was created months in advance and we wanted to spend the majority of our time elsewhere, so we devised a day-trip schedule that allowed us to explore the island quickly & efficiently. Our time management method might not work for everyone, but it worked out perfectly for us.

During our trip research we reviewed various methods of transportation, ie;

• Auto Rental: Given that auto rentals are more expensive than in the US, and also because the distance between our condo rental in Le Marais to Mont Saint-Michel was nearly 370 kilometers (230 miles), we decided that we could not possibly arrive at the Abbey early enough in the day to allow us to complete our explorations. Combine that with the fact that we would then have to drive back to Le Marais after a day of hiking around the Abbey, and we came to the conclusion that this was not going to work for us.
• Bus Tour: There are bus tours that advertise that they can provide a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel in 14 hours. Viator and Get Your Guide both advertise these types of tours, however, the per person price was in excess of $125. In addition, none of the bus tours (at least at that time) would get us back to Le Marais before midnight. Additionally, we did not want to be "tied" to a tour group moving about at a slow pace.
• Airlines: There are flights from Charles De Gaulle Airport to Pontorson, however, the round trip per person price was high and we would still need to get to Mont Saint-Michel from the Pontorson Airport.

So we then researched train schedules to see if they would be faster and found that if we departed Paris in the early morning, that we could arrive at Mont Saint-Michel with enough time to do everything that we wanted to see there and get back to Paris in the evening of the same day. This was all because the TGV trains operate at 300 kilometers per hour and I doubt that anyone could match that speed if they drove!

Click the above video poster image to view our Mont Saint Michel video. It’s an Abbey that dates back to the 8th Century and is an iconic sight in France. It’s possible to visit Mont St. Michel from Paris in just one day by train - making for a spectacular day trip! Our video describes how to do it, and some tips for visiting Mont Saint Michel to make your day trip a success.

• Paris Metro Stations are always equipped with large maps of the entire system, and if you are going to travel the Metro System you have to be aware of where each line is and where it goes. This is because you'll need to know the last station (on that line) to know what direction you're heading - For example, our trip from the Saint Paul Station was on Line 1 to the Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau station. We needed to change there to a Line 13 train, so we boarded the train that headed south in the direction of Châtillon–Montrouge. The last station on line 1 headed west is La Defense, which gave us the direction and which side of the tracks we had to be situated to catch the southbound line 13 train. We jumped off at the Montparnasse–Bienvenüe station where we could access the Gare Montparnasse Train Station on the ground floor via escalator.
• Obtain your TGV train reservations in advance! Mont Saint-Michel is a popular destination, and if you wait too long to obtain your tickets then it is possible that you will find that there are no tickets available for the time frame you desire. French Rail companies do not overbook! On-sale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for Germany and the Eurostar Chunnel train.
• We rode the Paris Metro from the Saint Paul Metro Station (nearest to our VRBO rental in Le Marais) to the Gare Montparnasse train station. Keep in mind that the Metro starts at 5:30AM each weekday and 2AM on Friday & Saturday. Paris Metro trains are frequent; once every 2-4 minutes during daytime hours and every 6-12 minutes at night (after 8:30pm).
• We rode the 6:52AM TGV train to Rennes. Travel time was approximately 1.4 hours (approximately 350 kilometers). The train was fast and comfortable. Keep in mind that you have to be careful that you are getting a TGV train (and not an RER train), not every scheduled train is going to be a TGV and some will be "locals" which will make numerous stops.
• We arrived in Rennes at 8:22am, and switched to a regional (TER) train. Travel time from Rennes to Pontorson was approximately 45 minutes (approximately 60 kilometers). Departure time from Rennes was 9:05AM.
• We arrived in Pontorson at 10:01am, and boarded a local bus to Mont Saint-Michel. The Pontorson Tour Bus meets every arriving train, no need for reservations. You will be taken directly to the Abbey causeway, and dropped off next to the Abbey main gate.
• Our return trip to Paris was dictated by the Train schedule from Rennes to Paris, so we picked a 3:11PM train from Pontorson, so that we would arrive in Rennes in time for the Paris train. We were back in Paris by 18:43PM and had dinner in Le Marais on the way back to our VRBO rental.
• This schedule provided us with a total of over five hours to explore the island and have lunch. This is more than enough time to do a thorough walk of through the entire structure, taking pictures & enjoying everything there is to see.

NOTE: The French Rail System modifies it's train schedules from time to time, and uses different schedules for week-day versus weekend. The schedule that we utilized may no longer exist or may have changed. There are several different train companies that offer transportation service to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris, including; Rail Europe, The Train Line, Omio and SNCF Connect. There may be others, so here is a link to a Google Search Results list for Paris to Mont Saint-Michel Train Schedule.

Click here to view the Train route from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel

When you enter the main gate, it is not immediately clear that there are two routes to the top. We took the Porte Eschaugette route by turning left and going up the stairs. If you turn right and follow the crowds, you will be entering the village area and it is slow movement due to the very narrow (and steep) street and dense crowds. Both directions will get you to the top of the Abbey, but going to the left is far less crowded.

The advantage of heading to the top on the route we selected, is that you are going to be able to get to the top without the crowds and visit the Abbey then you can see the village as you descend, so you will have as much time as you have to visit the little shops.

You should also keep in mind that taking the Porte Eschaugette route will require you to ascend a very steep trail and then steep steps at the top. The trail is a switch-back, so the ascent varies in steepness. Once you reach the top, you will be able to enter various areas of the Abbey that require you to traverse even more steps.

Abbey entrance tickets are available, we purchased ours (€10 per person) in the visitors center on the left side of the main entrance. They check tickets at the Abbey entrance, so you need to have one or you will not be able to enter. Getting the tickets down below allowed us to skip the line at the top.

WARNING: They were turning away visitors who did not have tickets at the Abbey entrance, and it is a lengthy walk back to the place where you can obtain tickets. So if you want to explore the Abbey, get your tickets!

The following images & text, will show you our exploration of the entire island, the Abbey as well as the restaurant where we had lunch.

The island and Abbey are amazing, and as you can see that the entire entire island "is" the Abbey. These views just made us even more eager to begin our trek through the Abbey.

The Pontorson bus from the train station, dropped us off on the causeway that leads out to the Abbey, so this was our first closeup view of this magnificent structure. The bus drop-off stop was perhaps 100 yards from the entrance.

See how the water has not quite completely receded? In less than an hour, it was nothing but sand and the water had departed for the English Channel. When you first learn that the water depth around the island (when the tide is in) can reach 15+ meters, you realize that a receding tide is a gigantic amount of water!

Porte Eschaugette Route Stairs

Village Route Starting Point

The stairs in the background of image # 1 show you the route that we took (the Porte Eschaugette route). This method allowed us to not have to walk through the village and the crowds that were already gathering. This is a rather steep way to get to the top of the Abbey, but the views were well worth the effort.

The little building in the background of image # 1, just above the stairs, is where we purchased our Abbey entrance tickets - do not forget to acquire those tickets, or you will be denied entrance !

Image # 2 shows that if you had not turned left and followed the Porte Eschaugette route, you would have to wind your way through the village area shown in this image. The later in the day you arrive, the thicker the crowds are going to be.

I have to admit though, there were a lot of interesting shops in the village. I am glad that we took the Porte Eschaugette route and saw the village after the Abbey. We were able to do a bit of window shopping and bought a few souvenirs as we explored the village.

Western View of Tidal Flats

Northern View of Tidal Flats

From the highest point of the Abbey at Mont Saint-Michel, the panoramic view of the surrounding area is truly breathtaking. From this vantage, you can observe the vast expanse of the tidal flats as the tide recedes, leaving behind shimmering, wet sand that stretches to the horizon. The tidal variations here are among the highest in Europe, often exceeding an impressive 15 meters. During low tide, the Mont appears as though it is surrounded by an endless desert of sand and water channels, a stark contrast to high tide when it transforms into an island.

This unique tidal phenomenon has shaped the history and mystique of Mont Saint-Michel for centuries. The interplay of light on the sands creates an almost otherworldly landscape, making it a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts. The views also reveal the intricate pathways and causeways that connect the island to the mainland, as well as the surrounding salt marshes that are grazed by sheep, famous for producing prized pré-salé (salt meadow) lamb. Standing atop the Abbey, one cannot help but feel a profound connection to both nature and history, marveling at the ever-changing beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Abbey Structure

Abbey Structure

Mont Saint-Michel is an architectural and historical marvel, a harmonious blend of religious devotion and medieval ingenuity. At its heart lies the Abbey, a towering Gothic church perched atop the rocky island, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Surrounding this spiritual centerpiece are various structures and areas that once supported the daily lives and spiritual practices of the monks who lived there.

The complex includes the monks' living quarters, dining hall (known as the refectory), scriptorium for studying and copying manuscripts, and workrooms where they carried out their assigned duties. Each space was designed with purpose, reflecting the monastic order's focus on prayer, study, and labor. The cloister, a tranquil garden space, offered a serene setting for meditation and contemplation, while the vast kitchens were tasked with preparing meals for the monks and visiting pilgrims.

Beyond its religious functions, the Mont also features several museums, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that narrate its storied past, from its origins in the 8th century to its role as a medieval pilgrimage site. Today, visitors can explore these spaces, each steeped in history, and marvel at how this iconic structure was built to withstand the tides, weather, and the passage of centuries.

Tidal Flats Walking Tours

Tidal Flats

In image # 1 you can see a tour group setting out for a walk about the sandy area exposed during low tide. Although you do not need to be in a tour group to walk about, one must be aware of when the tide comes back, as well as being able to avoid the quicksand areas.

Image # 2 was taken near the top of the Abbey, and you can see that the tide is not quite at it's lowest point. As mentioned previously, tidal variations can reach 15 meters.

There are a number of tours you could consider, here is a list of tours from the "Trip Advisor Site".

It is apparently "normal" for boats to be left at anchor when the tide goes out, obviously that boat is not going to move until the tide returns and refloats it!.

Tidal Speed: In reality the full extent of the tides is only visible at the entry of the bay (the sea level around Mont Saint-Michel is above the low tide level) and its actual speed is closer to a walking human, the fastest observed being around 6.1 kilometers per hour.

For a more complete description of the tides, click here to view their speed and tidal variations information.

Did I mention that the Porte Eschaugette route to the Abbey is steep? The steepness is continuous all the way from the main entrance to the top of the island! Fortunately for the walker, the trail has to keep switching back & forth in order to ascend to the top. From what we've read, this route contains approximately 350 steps, but it seems like more when you are there!

Seriously though, if you are not used to steep walks or are not in reasonably good health, you might not want to take this walk!

IMAGE CREDITS: Image # 2 above is the property of Antoine Lamielle via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.

Near the Eschaugette Tower

Courtyard Areas

It is fortunate that the route we followed would occasionally "flatten out" as it looped back and forth! We paused here and took image # 1 of people descending back towards the The Center for National Monuments. Image # 2 shows another flat spot as we continued to ascend to the summit.

Many of the websites that talk about Mont Saint-Michel, describe that the total walking distance to tour the entire island is approximately 2 kilometers. Because the island is relatively small, the 2 kilometer description gives you some idea of how the trail loops back and forth.

The Porte Eschaugette route to Mont Saint-Michel is quite steep. It involves ascending a series of switchbacks, which can be challenging, especially if you're not used to hiking or climbing stairs. Once you reach the top, you'll encounter even more steps as you explore the abbey itself.

It's important to be prepared for the climb and wear comfortable shoes with good grip..

Gargoyles Everywhere

Gargoyles Everywhere

You have to keep looking up & around you, or you will miss these incredible views!

See the gargoyles sticking out from the top of the building in these pictures? They are actually there to prevent rainwater from running down the masonry wall and slowly erode the mortar between the stones, thereby weakening the structure. By "sticking out" away from the building, the rainwater is forced away from the building, on it's way down.

Click here for a more complete discussion of gargoyles (and some great pictures) found on French buildings..

The Abbey Spire

The Abbey Spire

These are the kinds of views you get as you descend from the Abbey at the top of the island to the village at the bottom. These images were taken in the inner courtyard of the Abbey, you can just barely see the tops of the walkway arches on the very bottom right of this image. At the extreme left of image # 1, is the entrance to the church (not available for tourist entrance however).

A gilded statue of St. Michael is at the very top of the spire, you can see it in each of these images or click either to see a larger view.

NOTE: This is the building that you will need the tickets for, be sure to get them when you enter the main entrance or you will be denied entry to the Abbey.

This mechanism (called the Treadwheel crane) is how they hoisted heavy objects from the lower levels to the upper floors of the Abbey. It served as a windlass and was installed when Mont Saint-Michel was a prison, to hoist supplies to the prisoners. Some prisoners would walk inside the wheel to rotate it, which provided the motive power to lift objects from below.

The abbey was closed in 1791 and converted into a prison, initially to hold clerical opponents of the republican regime (up to 300 priests at one point). The abbey was then nicknamed 'bastille des mers' (Bastille of the sea). It remained a prison until 1863.

In image # 4, you are looking down the ramp from the upper level of the Abbey. You can see the "cargo cart" used to hold the items being hauled in place until the cart arrived at the top. The cargo cart would slide along those wooden rails - can you imagine working in the group that had to hoist cargo from below?

View of the Bay at La Tour Gabriel

View of La Tour Gabriel from Causeway

This tower was constructed in 1524 by the lieutenant of the King of France, Gabriel Dupuy. He completed the defensive structures with a tower called “Tour Gabriel” (Gabriel Tower). The round shape allowed soldiers to react rapidly, shooting in all directions from three levels which were built to house cannons.

If you take the Porte Eschaugette route, you will walk very close to this area, which is on the western side of the island.

La salle des Chevaliers (the Knight’s room): This room earned its name from the St. Michael Knights’ Order, founded by King Louis XI. The King intended for the knights to meet here in this room annually, however history says that these meetings never took place because of the distance of Mont Saint-Michel from Paris. The end result was that the monks spent much of their time to copy and illuminate precious manuscripts in this room.

Situated on the second floor of the Merveille, this hall is divided in four naves of different width by three rows of columns ; the southern nave is built on the rock, the other two on the pillars of the room beneath.

This room is directly underneath the cloister, and these columns and vaults support the weight of the cloister and its garden.

Exploring the Crypt of the Massive Pillars

Exploring the Crypt of the Massive Pillars

This has long been a source of fascination for researchers. “In 1421 the choir of the Roman church collapsed and, with it, a part of its supporting crypt,” Yves Gallet (professor of medieval art history at the Université Bordeaux-Montaigne) recounts. “Later in that century, both the chancel and what we call the Crypt of the Massive Pillars were rebuilt in the purest Gothic style.” However, the Roman remnants in the crypt led the historian to question the actual age of the granite columns. “The form and appearance of the Gothic choir just above it got me thinking,” he says. “Although it is in the flamboyant style typical of the 15th century, it has the layout of older Rayonnant churches, like Évreux Cathedral, which is 200 years older.”

Gallet surmises that some of the pillars of the Romanesque choir withstood the collapse and were “sheathed” (reinforced) to bear the weight of the Gothic chancel, whose walls rise higher than the previous Roman structure. In order to align the church’s colonnades with those of the crypt, its layout was modeled after an older building. This hypothesis was corroborated by a GPR study in the autumn of 2016: “The probes revealed the presence of a core of different stone inside the Gothic pillars,” Gallet reports.

At one point several hundred years ago, they actually grew food in this area. This area is located above ("on top of") the Knight’s room, and the water for the garden continually leaked into the that room below. After repeated attempts to stop the water leaks, use of this area as a garden was eventually abandoned.

Contrary to tradition, this cloister was not built at the centre of the monastery and thus does not link with all the other buildings. Nonetheless, as in every monastery, it is a place of contemplation, a promenade uniquely for the monks. It also used to serve as an open air library as monks were usually copying books or simply reading. In order to build this space, the northern part of the Abbey’s transept had to be partially reduced. The western, gallery was supposed open onto another building, mentioned before, and the three bay windows would have been the doors.

Nave and Gothic Choir area

Nave and Gothic Choir area

Everything on Mont Saint-Michel, both the interior and exterior of its buildings, is made from granite, a material that gives the island its striking, timeless beauty. The granite is not only aesthetically pleasing but also remarkably well-preserved, considering its age and the challenging environment. The enduring quality of the stone is a testament to the craftsmanship and resilience of the builders.

Transporting the stone to the island was an incredible feat. All of the granite was sourced from nearby quarries, most notably from the Chausey Islands. The rough-hewn stone was initially quarried there, then transported by boat during high tide. Once it reached Mont Saint-Michel, the stone was hauled up the steep, rocky slope using ropes and sheer human muscle power, a testament to the determination and ingenuity of the workers.

The Chausey Islands, given to the monks by the Duke of Normandy in 1022, were essential to the construction efforts. Once the stone arrived on Mont Saint-Michel, skilled stone masons meticulously finished it, shaping it into precise blocks designed for specific areas of the island’s architecture.

The Abbey itself was constructed over a period of 25 years, from 1203 to 1228, though it has undergone numerous enhancements and modifications throughout the centuries. Despite these changes, the timeless quality of the granite and the architectural ingenuity of Mont Saint-Michel remain enduring symbols of its historical significance.

The Monk's Refectory

The Monk's Refectory

Located within the monks' living quarters at the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, the refectory is situated next to the cloister area, offering a peaceful setting for reflection, study and community. This area is covered by a wooden vaulted ceiling, which, in contrast to the heavy stone used throughout the Abbey, lends an air of lightness and elegance to the space. The lighter wooden vault, compared to heavy stone, was easier to construct and allowed for a more efficient distribution of weight. The use of wood also facilitated a quicker building time, as the monks would have been working with the resources available to them at the time.

The refectory also served as the dining hall for the monks, where meals were taken in strict silence as part of their spiritual practice. The silence was intended to foster contemplation and maintain a focus on prayer and mindfulness during the communal meals. This practice reinforced the monks' commitment to their religious vows and provided an atmosphere conducive to meditation.

To illuminate this expansive room, the design incorporates narrow, strategically placed windows along the side walls. These windows are subtle, almost hidden from view when standing at the entrance, allowing natural light to filter into the space without disturbing the refectory's tranquil atmosphere. This design choice also adds an element of mystery, as the light seems to emerge from nowhere, enhancing the sense of peace within this sacred space.

NOTE: Image # 2 is the property of the France Voyage Site. We encourage you to visit that site for more great Mont Saint-Michel images.

Horse Drawn Carriages

Parking Lot Bus

The horse carraige is the more leisurely way to get back to the parking lots and there are other methods including; walking, buses, taxis, etc. You may want to keep in mind that the parking lots are over 2 kilometers from the Abbey gates.

All visitors to Mont Saint-Michel, whether arriving by bus or car, have to either walk (40 minutes) or take the free shuttle buses (10 minutes), or a horse-drawn carriage, the last 3 km to Mont Saint-Michel. (Cycling is only allowed at quiet times.) The views are obviously better walking towards the island than back towards the parking lots.

Free shuttle buses (Passeur navettes) transport visitors with high frequency from the parking lots to Mont Saint-Michel. The buses stop en route at La Caserne / Grand’rue (the hotel and shopping complex on the mainland) and at Le Barrage (the dam), which offer some of the best views of Mont Saint-Michel. (From here, it is a ten-minute walk back to the parking lot should the buses arriving from the island be too crowded.)

Buses to Mont Saint-Michel coordinate with train times at Pontorson, which is used by local (TER) trains. The bus journey is only around 15 minutes (€3).

The horse-drawn carraige (the 'Maringote') cost is 5.30 Euros per person one way & children under 4 are free.

English Channel side of the Abbey

We came into the Abbey with the intention of walking around this side on our way to the highest part of the Abbey. Due to the steep walk ways on this side, the crowds were not as large as they were on the bay side of the island.

At the top of this picture, you can see the top of the spire that is on the very top of the Abbey. This is the "back side" of it, the earlier picture showed it from the front side.

To see the Abbey like we did, turn left (the Porte Eschaugette route) at the main gate because it is the least crowded route up to the top, and make sure you get your camera ready! Do not turn right (after the main gate) and enter the village, as this will have you walking along with the crowd along a very narrow trail.