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Tidal island in Normandy, France
Photo: Diliff, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Mont Saint-Michel (often written Mont St Michel, with other variations) is a small UNESCO World Heritage site on an island just off the coast near Avranches in the department of Manche of Normandy in northern France. The island is best known as the site of the spectacular and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel at the peak of the rocky island, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture of the medieval town.
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L'Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel
Once a humble little monastery, the island and its fortifications have effectively grown up around this. During the French Revolution, the abbey was used a prison, and an extensive restoration was required to restore it. A few prison-era showpieces, like the human hamster wheel used to lift supplies in and out of the complex, have been kept. Mass is celebrated Tu-Su at 12:15.
Our Lady underground Chapel
The Carolingian church was built around 966 by the first Benedictine monks at the very place of the oratory erected by Saint-Aubert in the early 8th century. It's at the second level of Mont Saint Michel, and maybe not accessible during your visit.
On the ramparts with good views out to the sea. The menu touristique, including oysters, omelets and lamb, starts from €17, which is positively cheap by Mont St-Michel standards.
World-famous for their omelette. They put non-traditional ingredients into it and cook it right in front of the window of the restaurant. Be careful to make reservations ahead of time because it is usually crowded. Also they only sell their world famous omelette at certain times of the day, so when you make reservations, be sure to make them for the right time if you're intending to get an omelette.
Auberge de Jeunesse Genêts
Three-star camping site.
A two-star camping site with 93 places,; the town nearby has no shops but a couple of restaurants.
By car
Driving is probably the cheapest and easiest way of visiting Mont Saint-Michel, although the queues for entry to the car park are often very long.
By bus
Keolis Bus run regular day-trips here Apr-Sept from Rennes (connecting with trains from Paris) and Saint-Malo. For visitors without their own vehicle this will be the most convenient route.
By bike
Parking for bicycles is free, and the ride from Pontorson to the mount is not particularly difficult.
By taxi
Taxis are prohibitively expensive for long journeys, unless you can split the fare with other travellers. A one-way taxi trip from Mont St-Michel to Rennes will cost about €135.
The only way around Mont St Michel is on foot, and there are two gates into the walled city.
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