![A close-up shot of Mont-Saint-Michel from the causeway.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Close-up-to-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Don’t get caught by the tide
![The magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel from the causeway](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-view-of-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The view of Mont-Saint-Michel
Quick Links
2008
![A view of Mont-Saint-Michel from our visit in 2008 before work was undertaken to improve the causeway.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Mont-Saint-Michel-2008-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Mont Saint-Michel in 2008
Roll forward
Nine years later, we thought we would go for a similar approach…..oh definitely not, gone are the days whereby you just park up nearby and wander along the causeway.
It’s now park and ride or park & horse and cart – your choice, but the horse ride you pay for.
![A shot of the wide, paved, causeway to the island of Mont-Saint-Michel , Normandy](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-causeway-to-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The causeway to Mont-Saint-Michel
A useful guide
We love visiting France and each region so different from one another. I find the DK Eyewitness Guides really helpful in planning a trip and so often find interesting little snippets of info.
Take a peek at this revised Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide and see what you can discover.
Pilgrimage
We jump out and take in the splendour of the rocky island, and the Benedictine Abbey perched high above, then as we look across the bay, we saw a pilgrimage making their final steps before entering the mount.
I said to Gary “we’ve picked a busy day”!
![A close-up shot of Mont-Saint-Michel from the causeway.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Close-up-to-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Close up to Mont-Saint-Michel
Our Tip
Take a supply of water, you’ll need it, and it’s a little pricey beyond the ramparts.
Grande Rue
As you head up through the lanes, you can catch glimpses of the stunning landscape beyond.
But this is nothing to what you will see from the top.
![Joining the masses as we hike up the very busy Grand Rue of Mont-Saint-Michel.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/A-busy-Grande-Rue-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
A busy Grande Rue
Tempted to?
Discover more of Normandy on a road trip, you'll be amazed how easy it is to tour around by car with. Like us you can create your own adventure and visit Caen, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Alençon, Honfleur, Giverny, the ruins of Jumièges Abbey, Beuvron-en-Auge and Rouen
Take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars, they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
Excusez-Moi
![Further up Grand Rue, lined on one side by a massive stone wall as we head up towards the Abbey at the top of Mont-Saint-Michel.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-walk-up-Grande-Degre-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The walk up Grande Degre
![At the top of Mont-Saint-Michel a close-up of the spire of the Abbey.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Gilded-copper-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The Gilded copper
Your choice
Mont-Saint-Michel is free to stroll around and admire the views, but in my opinion, it is worth the price to visit the Benedictine Abbey.
Looking down on birds
![The view of the causeway, and the sandy shores, from the top of Mont-Saint-Michel](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/A-view-over-the-causeway-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
A view over the causeway
![The view of the sand that surrounds Mont-Saint-Michel when the tide is out.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/A-view-from-the-Mont-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
A view from the Mont
![The view of the sand that surrounds Mont-Saint-Michel when the tide is out.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Waiting-for-the-sermon-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Waiting for the sermon
Why Not?
One of favourites ways to kick off our trips is to let Brittany Ferries take the strain, sit back, relax and go with the flow. Enjoy a little bit of France as you sail directly into Caen in the heart of Normandy.
Or alternatively jump on Le Shuttle and tour through France under your own steam.
Inside the Abbey
Ramparts
![A cast-iron cannon, mounted on a wooden block, as a defensive measure to protect Mont-Saint-Michel](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Defensive-Cannon-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Defensive Cannon
![A polished brass and stainless steel telescope to take in the views around Mont-Saint-Michel.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Enjoy-the-view-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Enjoy the view
![The walkway around the ramparts of Mont-Saint-Michel, an alternative to the Grand Rue.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Along-the-Ramparts-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Along the Ramparts
![A quiet section of Mont-Saint-Michel as you head along the town's ramparts.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Where-were-the-crowds-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Where were the crowds?
Rue or Ramparts?
We chose to take the Grande Rue up and the ramparts down, we found it gave us better opportunity to admire the views.
Much Quieter
It makes you grateful for the time and effort that’s invested in preserving these wonderful landmarks.
![Birds circle the spire of the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, high on the hill, as the skies darken.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Birds-circling-below-the-abbey-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Birds circling below the abbey
I honestly think it was just bad timing on our part when we arrived as wandering back along the historic walls it was much quieter.
![Looking up to the abbey on top of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey from the lower levels.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Abbey-and-rooftops-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The Abbey and rooftops
![The French Tricolor flag flying high over the ramparts of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Tower-and-the-Flag-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
The Tower and the Flag
![The view down from the ramparts to the tower gateway into the Grand Rue of Mont-Saint-Michel.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Looking-down-on-Grande-Rue-Mont-Saint-Michel-Normandy-France-R2.jpg)
Looking down on Grande Rue
St Michael’s Mount
Back 2002 Gary and I visited Mont-Saint-Michel’s little brother in the UK, St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, another unique tidal islet.
![Image](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/St-Michael-Mount-Cornwall-England-UK-R2.jpg)
St Michael Mount, Cornwall
Would you like a little more?
We have created a little YouTube video of our visit to Mont-Saint-Michel.
Why not subscribe to our channel and get the latest clips as we post them?
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Have You?
Inspired to visit Mont-Saint-Michel?
It is a wonderful place to visit, and the views from the top are great on a clear day.
We visited from Caen which was a 160 mile/260km trip that took around 90 minutes each way. However, there are other places closer in both Normandy & Brittainy. You can even stay in Mont Sant Michel, the choice is yours.
Why not check out the latest deals on Booking.Com?
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Comments
Gorgeous pics! I’ve been to Le Mont Saint-Michel a couple of times and each time, it was a treat. We lucked out with the crowds.
Thanks very much, yes it certainly is a lovely place, particularly wandering around the ramparts. It’d be lovely in the evening after the crowds have gone.
Love Mont Saint Michel, we visited last year and stayed within walking distance so we could visit at our leisure. Laurence got some great photos there and we were very lucky with the weather. Yes, definitely worth going inside and seeing the inside of the abbey! We were actually just in Normandy again over the weekend 😉
Jessica,
That sounds so cool, where did you stay? We think next time we’d like to stay close by because getting some shots first thing, or later at night would be great.
Where can we see Laurence’s shots from the visit? We’ve had a quick peek on your site, but we may have missed them (Saw that you’d also been along the canal Saint Martin in Paris though, we did that in our pre-blogging life)
Where in Normandy did you visit over the weekend? We love the region, and know we’ll be back sometime..
Janis & Gary