Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: reviews, price and Exclusive Promo Code

+46
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4.8/5 11 reviews
L'Abbaye, 50170 Mont Saint-Michel, France
L'Abbaye, 50170 Mont Saint-Michel, France
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Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

Perched 80 meters above the most famous bay in Normandy, the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, a historic monument designated as a Unesco World Heritage site, is one of the most visited gems in France, drawing 3 million visitors annually. Set in a rugged, dramatic landscape, you will be struck by this Wonder of the West, which offers far more than its postcard image suggests.

A Turbulent History

Founded in 708 by Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, the small chapel on Mont-Trombe quickly became a major pilgrimage site. By the end of the century, the Duke of Normandy, Richard I, installed Benedictine monks there. Gothic-style expansions were eventually carried out, and the cramped original structure was converted into a crypt. To protect the building from English assaults, defensive walls and a chatelet were added. Placed under the care of the congregation of Saint-Maur, the abbey was reformed and, during the French Revolution, converted into a prison. The abbey church was partitioned to house 14,000 inmates. Restoration work began in 1874, and the bell tower, topped by a spire featuring a statue of Saint-Michel, was installed in 1897.

What to See

Today, 15 brothers and sisters from the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem live on-site. You can explore 80 percent of the abbey. Inside, you will be struck by the luminous choir, which contrasts sharply with the austerity of the Romanesque nave. Built in the flamboyant style, it opens into five chapels filled with light. Take note of the 13th-century stone Virgin and the alabaster altarpiece. To the north, you will find the aumônerie (almonry), the salle des Hôtes (guest hall) with its two massive fireplaces, and the refectory. To the west, you will enter the cellar, and the salle des chevaliers (knights' hall) will surprise you with its intricate sculpted decor. If time permits, wander through the gardens. They offer a unique perspective on the abbey.

Tickets from $14*Booking recommended
Exclusive Promo Code
AVYGEO7-7%
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Opening hours

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the high season, and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM the rest of the year.
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

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Summary of 11 reviews
4.8/5
Average rating
+46
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.4
As a couple
4.9
With friends
5

Avygeo ranking

#10
in the world
#10
in Europe
#7
in France
#1
in Mont Saint-Michel

A must-do at least once in your life

I still stand by it, despite the overtourism: Mont-Saint-Michel is something you have to do at least once in your life. Having gone back recently with some foreign friends who wanted to visit, it is true that it remains magical. It looks almost like a miracle, this little town lost in the middle of the sand and the sea. My friend had this thought that I loved: "It looks like Minas Tirith in The Lord of the Rings!" and it is true that the Mont definitely has a fantasy vibe. Special mention for the mini-hike crossing the bay, which you should do with a guide. It is really interesting to learn more about the quicksand along the way.

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A memorable visit

The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is simply incredible, a real must-see.

I loved getting lost in the narrow streets and taking in the spectacular views of the bay. The landscapes change with the rhythm of the tides. It is just magnificent.
I highly recommend it.

You need to be prepared to climb a lot of stairs to get to the abbey.
And watch out for the crowds in the summer: it is better to visit in the off-season.

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Beautiful but super crowded

Mont-Saint-Michel is a truly incredible and very impressive site. The abbey is one of the must-see spots to visit. The interior is super interesting, and the explanations are clear and detailed. Unfortunately, there are always a lot of people, which diminishes the charm of the place a little bit.

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To learn so much more about Mont Saint-Michel

This is the paid tour you should do on the Mont if you only do one. Forget the other tours, which can sometimes be tourist traps. There are many different tours offered. From self-guided tours with a paper guide to guided conferences, there are several options available. Do not let the price stop you, as it may seem a bit high sometimes, but this visit is a must. This tour is obviously a bit of a workout, as there are many steps, but the view from the terrace is a real reward.

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A must-see at least once in your life!

I love visiting churches, cathedrals, and other abbeys. The one at Mont Saint-Michel has something unique. First, because it is located precisely at Mont Saint-Michel, one of the most beautiful places in France, and probably the world. But also because its architecture is simply magnificent. And how can I not mention the superb view of the bay that the climb up to this stunning monument offers.

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View from Mont Saint-Michel

I highly recommend climbing up to the Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel. The walk through the narrow streets is very pleasant. At the top, you pay an entrance fee. The tour is easy to follow, with concrete explanations. This Benedictine abbey was also a fortress during the Middle Ages. The view over the bay is absolutely insane. You can see the tide coming in or going out, depending on the time. This movement of the water is breathtaking.

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A fabulous and mind-bending building

This monument built on a rocky precipice leaves you speechless. I am still wondering about the techniques and the securing of the construction. To avoid the crowds, I opted for a guided night tour with the abbey's night events. Even though I grasped less of the historical side, this option has the advantage of a small group discovery, in a very sensory atmosphere based on magnificent sounds and lights. After admiring the exterior of the abbey by day, I really did not regret my choice to come back at night for the interior.

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A guided tour worth doing

Huge abbey filled with lots of history and stories. It is worth taking a guided tour to learn a ton about this landmark of our heritage.

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Impressive but way too crowded

The closer you get to the abbey, the more impressed you are by what looks more like an impregnable fortress perched on a huge rock that appeared out of nowhere.
Inside, you realize the structure is large, with several levels of ramparts, green spaces, chapels, a cloister... and above all, the panoramic view of the Mont Saint Michel bay is stunning.
The only (big) downside is the massive crowd that makes you move step by step at the pace of a herd. Too bad

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An abbey with a Westeros dungeon vibe

At the top of a fortified village, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey feels like a dungeon straight out of the Game of Thrones universe, with its high, thick walls and ramparts.
The interior is interesting to visit, with the chapels, the cloister, the kitchens, the vaulted ceilings, and the spectacular views over the bay.

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A surreal location

When you see the jagged rock at the top of which this abbey was built, you really have to wonder why the builders made things so difficult for themselves.

A surprising place!

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