Is Mont Saint Michel worth visiting on a day trip from Paris? The short answer: Absolutely! But, I don’t want to just leave it at that, and set your expectations too high.
You’ll want to consider a few things before booking that day trip.
After reading mixed reviews, I visited the highly-rated UNESCO attraction myself and will share my honest thoughts on spending a full day away from Paris.
![Promotional poster asking 'Is Mont Saint Michel Worth Visiting?' with a stunning aerial view of Mont Saint Michel, featuring its intricate architecture and the surrounding bay, suggesting its allure as a day trip destination from Paris.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel.jpg)
![Travel poster highlighting a day trip from Paris to Mont Saint Michel, showing the Eiffel Tower and Mont Saint Michel, symbolizing a journey from the French capital to the historic island, promoting its accessibility and appeal.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Visit-Mont-Saint-Michel.jpg)
Human-written content, by me, and nearly all original images, unless stated. Posts could have affiliate links to help offset the cost of maintaining this blog. When you click on a link, we receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you. See Our Affiliate Policy and Advertiser Disclosure for more info.
What To Consider When Visiting Mont Saint Michel From Paris
It’s A Long Travel Day
Mont Saint-Michel is located in Normandy, approx 4 hours away from Paris. The travel time between Paris and Mont Saint Michel was almost enough for me to skip this day trip as typically I only do a day trip if the destination is under 3 hours.
But given that Mont Saint Michel has been on my bucket list for years, I made an exception.
I traveled by bus on an organized day trip. The journey from Paris by car would have taken around the same time as the bus went direct.
You can take a direct train from Paris Montparnasse station to Pontorson- Mont St Michel and arrive in 3 hours 45 minutes. Tickets were around €26 each way.
Despite the long journey to and from, I ultimately thought it was worth it.
![Clear day view of Mont Saint Michel, showing the entire island and abbey against a bright blue sky, reflecting on a shallow bay.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel-1.jpeg)
![Solo female traveler standing on a wooden boardwalk with Mont Saint Michel in the background, highlighting the personal experience of visiting.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel-2.jpeg)
There Are A Lot Of Stairs
When you reach the base of Mont Saint Michel be prepared to climb 350 stairs to reach the top.
You can reduce the number of stairs by using the Fanils’ entrance.
I am in decent shape and I was definitely feeling the burn all the way to the top.
🛑 If you have mobility issues visiting the Abbey may present some issues. It is not suitable for wheelchairs and there are no elevators.
![Majestic view of Mont Saint Michel Abbey towering above on rocky foundations, set against a brilliant blue sky.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-St-Michael-3.jpeg)
![Atmospheric shot inside Mont Saint Michel showing a stone staircase leading upwards, framed by arches and illuminated by soft natural light.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel-4.jpeg)
It’s VERY Crowded
It is reported that three million people visit Mont Saint Michel a year! The most crowded days are Saturday and Sunday.
Going on a weekday in the offseason, such as April, could be a great time to go. I visited on a Saturday in April and thought the crowds were manageable, but wouldn’t want to see what it looked like in peak travel season.
If crowds make you anxious you might need to reconsider this day trip.
![Visitors walk through a medieval stone archway leading into Mont Saint Michel, highlighting the historic and preserved architecture.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-St-Michel-2.jpeg)
![Historic stone buildings line a bustling narrow street in Mont Saint Michel, complete with quaint shop fronts and cobblestones, under a clear blue sky.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel-in-April.jpeg)
You Need A Ticket to Visit the Abbey
Entrance to the grounds of Mont Saint Michel is free, but to enter the Abbey you need a ticket. The tickets cost €11.
There are special deals for EU citizens or permanent residents of France up to the age of 25.
My ticket was included in the price of the tour I booked with Get Your Guide.
Below is my review of the tour I booked.
The Restaurants Are Very Busy & Overpriced
I’ve come to almost expect that restaurants in a highly visited tourist destination are often crowded and expensive.
Unfortunately, I found this to be true at Mont Saint Michel. The frustrating thing was that these restaurants didn’t seem to take reservations, so you just have to wait.
While I wasn’t able to try it myself, other people on our tour tried the famous €40 egg omelet at Le Mere Poulard.
![The facade of Hotel Terrasses Poulard in Mont Saint Michel, showcasing traditional architecture with a hanging sign and lanterns.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-St-Michel-Restaurant.jpeg)
![Two glasses of red kir on a restaurant table in Mont Saint Michel, with a blurred menu and diners in the background, offering a glimpse into local culinary experiences.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Restaurant-Mt-Saint-Michel.jpeg)
You Can’t Park Close To Mont Saint Michel
If you drive to Mont Saint Michel, you’ll need to park your car in one of the designated parking lots, which are about a 40-minute walk from the entrance.
However, if you prefer not to walk, there are free shuttle buses available at the visitor center.
I recommend taking the bus to the entrance and if you have time walking back.
![The spire of Mont Saint Michel Abbey rises high above rocky terrain and medieval structures, framed by a clear blue sky.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mt-St-Michel-6.jpeg)
![Distant view of Mont Saint Michel from a grassy field, emphasizing the vast scale and isolated position of the island.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mont-Saint-Michel-9.jpeg)
Bad Weather Could Impact Your Experience
If the weather is truly terrible you probably want to pass on visiting. I was very lucky and had pretty incredible weather.
The sunny, clear, and warm day enhanced my experience a lot!
In rainy weather, you will need to be extra careful climbing the stairs. I nearly slipped and the stairs were dry.
![A picturesque view over the rooftops of Mont Saint Michel, looking out to the expansive bay under a clear sky, with historical buildings densely packed together.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sunny-Skys-mont-1.jpeg)
![A solo female traveler sits thoughtfully in the Gothic cloisters of Mont Saint Michel Abbey, surrounded by ornate arches and a serene atmosphere.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nice-weather-Mont-St-Michel-1.jpeg)
You Need An Audio Guide
If you want to get a full of the incredible history at Mont Saint Michel you will want to download an audio guide.
This came included with the tour I booked through Get Your Guide!
Alternatively, you can download VoiceMap if you are looking for a guide in English or French.
![App screen displaying details of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey audio guide tour, showing distance, duration, and price](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mt-Saint-Michel.jpg)
![Screenshot of a travel app featuring tours in Lisbon and highlighting the Vatican Museums audio tour.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Voice-Map.jpg)
Should You Visit on A Tour Or Go Alone?
Traveling solo to Paris, I wanted the chance to meet people while exploring beyond the city, so I opted for a day trip with a tour company and was glad I did. Having transportation arranged was a big plus for me.
I met some great people on the tour and we spent the day exploring together.
While it can be slightly cheaper to make this trip independently, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Personally, I preferred not to navigate the train system on my own.
![A woman in a black dress walks towards the imposing stone facade of Mont Saint-Michel Abbey under a clear blue sky.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mt-Saint-with-tour.jpeg)
![A rustic ancient wooden door set in a stone archway, featuring intricate iron details and studs, at Mont Saint-Michel.](https://asinglewomantraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Door-Mont-Saint.jpeg)
The Verdict on Visiting Mont Saint Michel From Paris
Despite the challenges of a long day and numerous stairs, I would have truly regretted missing the opportunity to visit Mont Saint Michel during my Paris trip!
It is one of those bucket list places you need to see to believe! If you have the time, I absolutely recommend visiting!
TRAVELING TO PARIS? YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:
- 3 Day Paris Itinerary For Solo Travelers
- Solo Travel To Paris Guide + Map
- 3 Day Bordeaux Itinerary Guide + Map
- Saint Emilion Wine Tour Review
- Best Way to Travel From Marseille to Cannes
Looking For A Solo Travel Community?
It’s all about community! There is something here for everyone, whether you are just getting started or consider yourself a veteran solo traveler.
Find support, inspiration, and friendship by joining our community!