Once you have explored Paris, it is a good idea to explore the rest of the country and its countryside. Thanks to the extensive train network, it is straightforward to travel from Paris to other attractions in France. Mont Saint Michel is one attraction that you should not miss while and it is very easy to travel to Mont Saint Michel from Paris.
Mont St. Michel is located off the Normandy coast and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of France. As it is a short drive away from Paris, it is a perfect way to spend your day, provided you plan the trip well. It is difficult to make out what makes Mont St. Michel special. It could be the Bay of Mont St. Michel, or the abbey or all of it. There’s a reason why Mont-Saint-Michel is world-famous, and it is a must to experience it firsthand.
How to reach Mont Saint Michel
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It is about 350 km away, and the most convenient solution is to go by train. Get the train from the Montparnasse train station, and you can book your tickets in advance. The train ride will take about two hours and will reach Rennes, and from there you can take a coach bus that will take about an hour to reach Mont-Saint-Michel.
You can also plan a Paris to Mont Saint Michel day trip, and the whole experience is definitely worth it. However, you need to start early and plan things well so that you can make the most of your trip. You can book a full-day tour with one of the tour companies, and the best part is that you can keep away from the traffic or a train station. As these tours include a guide, you get information on the areas you pass through. However, if you want more freedom and space, you can even rent a car, and the drive would be for about four hours.
There are several guided day tours and trips, which are a great way to explore Mont St. Michel. You can travel from Paris to Mont St. Michel and get back in the evening in an air-conditioned coach. Enjoy a free lunch at the village before taking the shuttle. Once you reach the shores of Normandy, you can explore the magical city of Mont Saint Michel, visit the famous abbey and admire the ancient architecture.
What to do in Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel is a tidal island which is incredibly popular, and more than three million people visit the island every year. Mont Saint Michel is wholly cut off from land during the season of high tides. It is possible to walk around the island during the low tides. Though it is a small island, there are plenty of historical places to visit.
- The main attraction of Mont Saint Michel is the abbey and monastery that feature the Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Take guided tours to explore the complex that will take a couple of hours. Explore the little medieval streets, and as you climb up, you can notice the change in the richness of the houses, as the higher you go, the wealthier are the houses. They are the representative of the social hierarchy.
- Mont-Saint-Michel’s main street, La Grande Rue is something out of a fairytale. It is a thrilling experience to walk on those streets, and it is something out of a fairytale. If you want to experience it at its best, you can check it out during the low season when it is less crowded and quieter.
- Explore the lovely chapel, La Chapelle-Saint-Aubert if you are looking for some peace and quiet. There are beautiful paintings inside the stone chapel. However, be careful during the high tide season when a high tide can be dangerous because of the strong winds.
- Take the Grand Degre steps that lead up to the abbey, and as you climb those stairs, you can enjoy some stunning views of the grand architecture of the monastery’ and the panoramic views of the surrounding bays. The Abby itself is remarkable and is very easy to access.
- Visit Barrage du Mont-Saint-Michel, which is a perfect location for enjoying some great views and having a picnic. The dam is made of metal and concrete, and you can even go for a free guided tour.
