Best of Mont Saint Michel

On the western edge of Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel looks like something out of a fairy tale. When the tide rolls in, the hilltop abbey-village appears to emerge straight from the sea. Benedictine monks built an abbey on the narrow rocky island in the 10th century, and it has been drawing pilgrims and tourists ever since. Today, Mont-Saint-Michel's main street winds its way up to the clifftop church, passing shops, restaurants, and guesthouses along the way.  

Guided tours give context to this mysterious place, taking you through some of the most impressive spaces in the abbey, including the cloister with its intricately carved arches, the 13th-century refectory, and the Gothic Guest Hall. Beyond the walls of Mont-Saint-Michel, you can walk the sands of the bay—at low tide—with a guide who will explain the incredible natural environment. Most travelers visit on day trips from St-Malo, Caen, or Bayeux, but if you want to experience Mont-Saint-Michel without the crowds, consider staying in the area and visiting at dawn and after sunset.