One of the continent's most memorable sights, the magical European island is straight from fairy tales. Mont Saint-Michel is set in the bay shared by Normandy and Brittany, and its most striking feature is that its connection to the mainland disappears under the tide twice a day.
The Bay of Mont St. Michel boasts the highest tidal currents on the European continent, creating a spectacular, natural display. One day of the year provides optimal viewing conditions, and once the tide exceeds a certain level, Mont Saint-Michel turns to an island for several hours. As it retreates, dramatic sand of rippling sand is revealed, reconnecting the island to the mainland by a causeway.
The origins of Mont Saint-Michel date back to 708 AD, when he instructed the construction of the sanctuary, claiming he had seen the vision of Avalanche Michael. What began as a simple attitude gradually expanded into a grand monastic institution.
By the 13th century, the monastery became a major pilgrimage site in Europe, representing both spiritual devotion and architectural resilience to nature and the power of war.
Also, isolated places have made it a formidable military base. During the 100 Years' War, Mont Saint-Michel successfully repelled multiple English attacks, aided by his natural defenses and towering stone walls.
In the later years, the monastery served as a prison before it was restored as a historic monument in the 19th century.
One tourist wrote on the TripAdvisor Forum: “I planned a trip to join the tour. I read and watched a documentary about this place.
“I walked around as much as I could, so I brought my own sandwiches and didn't go to any store.
“I was adored. I was on a tour so I took a shuttle there but decided to go back to PARKROT. It's a must in France!”
Another comment: “The tour destination between September and the first day of October 2022. We'll be staying at a hotel inside Mont-Sent Michel, as we wanted to witness the tide surrounding the entire island in the evening. The evening tour of the village is mystical and worth a try.”
They continued. “In the afternoon, I booked a tour of the bay at low tide. It is a unique experience to experience the grandeur of the tide with its particularity, with a guide, so seeing the exterior periphery of St. Michel evoked the curiosity of the littlest person who would not be disappointed (my son 11).
Travel expert Ski Vertigo recommends visiting between April and June or September to avoid peak crowds. The train from Paris to Ponteson takes about four hours and there is a shuttle bus to the Visitors Center. From there, a free shuttle or a scenic 40-minute walk leads to the island.
“A must-see for curious travelers,” said a Skiveltigo spokesman. “Their beauty changes with the tide. Two visits are not the same.”
