The Mont Saint-Michel Castle is a glorious sight to see in France. Not only does it carry rich history, but the castle today stands to show off its beauty and uniqueness.
My family and I visited this castle in July of 2023 and it truly wowed each of us. From a distance the castle seems as if it is from a fairytale like Cinderella, because of its vast size and movie-like view as it sits with the ocean surrounding it. Not only does the Mont Saint-Michel Castle present as a wonderful place to be, but there is a long history within the walls of the castle as well as outstanding sights with every corner you turn.
It’s History
To understand the history of the Mont Saint-Michel Castle, we must go back to 966 when the first community built its first church. During the building process, a village nearby was growing which would end up being the first pilgrims near the church.
Over the years, more pilgrims filled the village and the first church became too small to accommodate them all. During the 13th century, the King of France made a donation which allowed the development of Merveille to be constructed. Thus forming two three-story buildings, the first of the Mont.
When the Hundred Years’ War came about from 1337 to 1453, the castle was to be protected by a series of military constructions. These constructions allowed the castle to survive without seige for 30 years. The war’s only affect on the Mont was the collapse of the Romanesque choir of the abbey church. This was later replaced by the end of the war.
Following the French Revolution, Mont Saint-Michel was turned into a state prison. The high tides and endless quicksand made this castle a difficult place to escape for prisoners. Thus working in the states benefit. Later it was closed in the year 1863, to be restored and opened again to the public. The road created to transport tourists from the town of Pontorson to the castle, lead to the loss of the Mont’s island nature.
During World War II, the Mont was spared. And in the year 1966 the Mont Saint-Michel celebrated a millennium of the abbey’s foundation. Thus leading to the tourist center it is today. Construction in the past 15 years has restored the island-nature of the castle, yet still offer the ability for tourists to visit. The long-standing history of the abbey has enriched it with the culture it shares with the world everyday.
Visiting Mont Saint-Michel
How to Get There
There are a lot of travel options to get to Mont Saint-Michel. To choose, it depends on which is easiest for you and your travel companions. Their is the ability to bus over, drive and walk, bike, and take the necessary pre-travel options to get to the town area such as ferry, train, plane, and more.
Personally, I think the easiest way to reach the castle is by bus or walking. From this map you can find a way to either park, Uber, or take a bus to the museum area. Then they have shuttles and a walking or biking route to the castle itself.
My family and I choose to do half and half. On our way to the castle we decided to walk. The weather was not too hot and it was recommended to us that walking towards the castle makes you appreciate its size and history more. When we were leaving the castle, we took the shuttle back since we were all tired after the long day
One of the most important things to note of Mont Saint-Michel is that during tide changes, access to the castle can change. There are certain periods throughout the day when the tide is high and the employees close the walkway for about 30 minutes. Because of this, make sure to plan out when you will be entering and leaving the castle by the tide.
What to Bring
It is important that you do not pack your entire suitcase for a day at Mont Saint-Michel. Because their is lots to see, eat, and do their is little need for big bags filled with endless items.
I would recommend a small bag filled with regular essentials like a wallet, any keys, phone, portable chargers, sunglasses, etc. And then in addition maybe you want to bring some water or snacks depending on your plans.
The food options on the island do not offer a variety, so unless you are making reservations or just grabbing a snack, the wait times may be long due to the large amount of people visiting. My family and I choose to create a picnic of sorts which cheese, wine, jam, and grapes. We had the idea of doing it in France at least once and ended up choosing our castle day. While the idea was great, we did not plan for the weather or lack of seating areas so it was half de-railed. But it was still a cute and fun idea I recommend at some point doing on your trip to France!
What You’ll See
Inside the castle the sights and history is endless. From the old cobblestone streets to the centuries old man-made buildings, Mont Saint-Michel takes you back in time. You can expect views looking over the castle, towards the ocean, and a view of the path you took to get to the castle. It truly is a magnificent place to see in France.
On top of the wonderful views, the castle holds one of the oldest churches around the area. To get into the abbey you are able to choose from different tours with different prices. Most of the ticket prices start around 13 euros (roughly $14) and change between tour options. If you are super into learning about the abbey, a guided tour either by person or device would be best for you. Otherwise, my family and I did the self-guided walk around and were able to enjoy the abbey ourselves which was perfect.The following are some pictures I took from inside the abbey.
The only other piece of information to know about the castle is that it is very steep and there are a lot of stairs. This visit is definitely not something people should do if stairs are not their friend. Because Mont Saint-Michel is basically built on a hill, everything is upward, even inside the abbey.
In total, the Mont Saint-Michel Castle is a must-visit location in France. By being just around an hour from Normandy it is a great to add to your itinerary for an all-day event or every an afternoon visit.
And if you’re traveling to France without any French language experience, check out my guide to not knowing the local language before you go!
