Mont Saint-Michel Abbey: Entry Ticket

About this experience

It looks straight out of a fantasy film - as if dragons might swoop down as you enter. But you haven't stepped into a parallel universe - you've just discovered the Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel. This astounding World Heritage Site lies just off the rocky coast of Normandy. It's a medieval must-see! Explore 20 rooms, stunning gardens, and get panoramic views of the sea and sky.Le Mont Saint-Michel is a small island commune in Normandy, and the Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel is most definitely its crowning glory, looming over it all like a big stone soldier as the waves crash on its rocky shores. The worship of Archangel Michel first occurred in this spot in 708 AD, making it 'the' place for a medieval pilgrimage.In the 10th century the Benedictine monks realized its importance and promptly set about building a proper abbey here. In 1874 the abbey was listed as a historic monument; this was after the monks said their goodbyes in 1790. It draws as many crowds today as it did hundreds of years ago - thanks to its airy interior and majestic position.With over 20 rooms and spires and towers looming over the town below, there's plenty to explore. You can also join a guided group for free - just ask when you arrive and you'll be placed in a group for a tour. As you walk around the abbey, take the chance to watch the tide roll in and out (it has Europe's highest tidal variations, swelling and dropping as much as 15 meters in as little as six hours). Reaching the summit of the abbey will reward you with unbelievable panoramas; you'll feel like the king of a French castle. Or the abbot of a French abbey.

Highlights

• See Europe's greatest tidal variations (up to 15 meters in six hours) from a 13th-century religious compound
• Get a free guided group visit to explore the abbey and see where Archangel Michel has been worshiped since 708 AD
• Visit a crucial medieval pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site on an island off the coast of Normandy

What's included

• Entry ticket
• Multilingual booklet

How to use

1. Show Mobile Ticket
2. Ticketing counter
3. Your booking is confirmed. Final Ticket will be sent to you separately. Please present either mobile or printed Final Ticket for redemption.

What to expect

1. antasy-Like Setting: Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel, which appears straight out of a fantasy film with its stunning architecture and dramatic coastal location.
2. World Heritage Site: Discover this astounding World Heritage Site located just off the rocky coast of Normandy, offering a glimpse into medieval history and architecture.
3. Medieval Marvel: Explore the abbey's 20 rooms, each filled with history and architectural wonders, while marveling at its stunning gardens and panoramic views of the sea and sky.
4. Historical Significance: Learn about the worship of Archangel Michael, which first occurred on this spot in 708 AD, making it a significant pilgrimage site during medieval times.
5. Benedictine Monastery: Discover the abbey's origins as a Benedictine monastery in the 10th century, and its subsequent listing as a historic monument in 1874, after the monks departed in 1790.
6. Guided Tours: Take advantage of free guided group tours, offered upon request upon arrival, providing insightful commentary and historical context as you explore the abbey.
7. Tidal Variations: Experience Europe's highest tidal variations as you watch the tide roll in and out, with the sea swelling and dropping as much as 15 meters in as little as six hours, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape around the abbey.
8. Panoramic Views: Reach the summit of the abbey and be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas, offering a sense of grandeur and majesty akin to that of a French castle or abbey.

Things to note

• Last admission: 1 hour before closing
• Free: 0-18, EU citizens/French residents 18-25, disabled visitors, Education Pass holders (with valid ID)
• Reserving a timeslot on the official website is mandatory.
• The site is not easily accessible to people with limited mobility and those with certain health conditions as well as visitors with strollers
• Strollers must be folded before entering the abbey.

Terms & conditions

Enter via the ‘Ticket Holders Line’ and show your smartphone ticket at the entrance There's no WiFi at the venue and the mobile coverage there is quite poor, so make sure to download your tickets beforehand Opening Hours May - August: 09:00 - 19:00 September - April: 09:30 - 18:00 Last admission one hour before closing Getting There The closest train station is Pontorson. It can be accessed via the train lines TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes or Dol de Bretagne, then a coach from Rennes or Dol de Bretagne to Mont Saint-Michel Trains from Paris Saint-Lazare to Caen, then a TER train from Caen to Pontorson, then the shuttle bus from Pontorson to Mont Saint-Michel Trains from Paris Montparnasse to Granville, get off in Folligny and get another train to Pontorson, then the shuttle bus from Pontorson to Mont Saint-Michel More Information:Age: 18+