Mont-Saint-Michel

First tourist site in France outside the Paris region, Mont-Saint-Michel is famous for the rocky islet on which its abbey was built. The bay in which it sits is known for its tides, which are said to move as fast as a galloping horse. The setting offered by the site is simply magical.

A place of pilgrimage since the 9th century and a stopover on the Santiago de Compostela route, the abbey is also a major religious place. In addition to the abbey church, the medieval town is also an architectural gem, with its courtyards, walkway and châtelet.

The walk over the 2014 completed curved footbridge is a good way to approach the monastery island. The Mont Saint-Michel itself has two faces: on the one hand, the very hectic bustle in the Grand Rue, which often seems a bit overcrowded with its shops and bistros, and on the other the relative calm of the sacred buildings, ie the ensemble of monastery complex, church and abbey building , which forms the actual heart of the mountain. One should not miss this "merveille de l'occident", this "wonder of the West".
Admission 10 €, audio guide (highly recommended) 3 €

It is much more impressive if you walk from the car park and do not take the shuttle bus. it is only 2.5 km ...