Getting to Mont-Saint-Michel

14-10-2022

No trip to Normandy is complete without a visit to the historic island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel! One of the greatest architectural achievements in all of Europe, the ancient structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most breathtaking sights France has to offer. With the dyke removed, a dam built, and a new elevated access way opened in 2014, you’ll revel in the dramatic (and accessible) changes to Mont-Saint-Michel while keeping its original island flavor.

One enormous advantage of visiting the new dam is that it offers amazing views of Mont-Saint-Michel from approximately 900 meters away. The distance is postcard- and photo-perfect. Be sure to spend some time looking for the best “photo op” while you’re there.

Bayeux to Mont-Saint-Michel Car Park

The quickest and most direct route from Bayeux is by car (a 1-hour 30-minute journey taking the A84). The car park fee at Mont-Saint-Michel is detailed below. Depending on the size of your group and car rental rates, this may be the best option for you.

You can also take a regional TER train from Bayeux to Pontorson, a direct journey coming in at around 1 hour 45 minutes and 24 euros per person (one-way). There are typically four departures each day from Bayeux, two in the early morning and two in the late afternoon. Bikes are allowed on the train at no extra cost. From the Pontorson train station, you can then take a shuttle to Mont-Saint-Michel’s Car Park (3.10 euros per person, one-way). From the car park, follow the suggestions below.

Saint-Malo to Mont-Saint-Michel Car Park

The quickest and most direct route from Saint-Malo is by car (a 50 minute journey using the N176). The car park fee at Mont-Saint-Michel is described below. Depending on the size of your group and car rental rates, this may be the best option for you.

You can also take a Flixbus (“Saint-Malo” to “Le Mont-Saint Michel”) which takes about an hour, and costs 4-5 euros, but only runs once a day. This bus will drop you off at Mont-Saint-Michel’s Car Park. From the car park, follow the suggestions below.

You can also take a regional TER train from Saint-Malo to Pontorson, but this requires a change in either Rennes or Dol-de-Bretagne. This route runs twice a day, takes 2 hours, and costs 9-14 euros. From the Pontorson train station, you can then take a shuttle to Mont-Saint-Michel’s Car Park (3.10 euros per person, one-way). From the car park, follow the suggestions below.

Paris to Mont-Saint Michel Car Park

The train, with a connection through Rennes is the quickest way from Paris. To get there by train, you can take a TGV train to either Rennes or Caen, and then take a regional TER train from Rennes/Caen to Pontorson. The train through Rennes takes 3 hours and ranges from 40-100 euros. The train through Caen takes 4 and a half hours and ranges from 40-60 euros. From the Pontorson train station, you can then take a shuttle to Mont-Saint-Michel’s Car Park (3.10 euros per person, one-way). From the car park, follow the suggestions below.

You can also take a OUI bus from Paris to Mont-Saint Michel’s Car Park that takes about 4 and a half hours and costs 23 euros. From the car park, follow the suggestions below.

By car, it takes 4 hours taking either A13 to A84, or A11 to A81. The car park fee at Mont-Saint-Michel is described below. Depending on the size of your group and car rental rates, this may still be the best option for you.

Car/Bike Info

If you drive, the car park fee is 15 euros per car per day in high season. Larger vehicles are charged more (campers are charged 18.70 euros). If you cycle to the Car Park, please note bikes are banned in the city but you can park your bikes here for free. Two designated areas have been specially set up for cyclists- section P9 of the parking area and the additional bicycle racks by the dam area.

Car Park to Mont-Saint-Michel

On foot: The average walker will arrive at Mont-Saint-Michel about 30 minutes after leaving the parking area. On your way, you’ll have the chance to learn more about Mont-Saint-Michel from the information boards that dot the pathway.
Shuttle: Shuttles can accommodate up to 95 people and are free to ride. They run non-stop from 7:30am-1am. The shuttle journey takes about five or six minutes. Again, please note bikes aren’t allowed in the city or on the shuttles.
Horse-drawn carriage (called a “Maringote”) These accommodate up to 24 people. Roundtrip cost per person is 6.70 euros, with the one-way trip taking 25 minutes. Make sure to ask at the Tourist Information Centre when you arrive to find out about trip times.

Four of our cycling tours let you explore Mont-Saint-Michel: “Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay,” “Authentic Brittany,” “Normandy Landmarks,” and “Cycling Normandy and Brittany for Avid Riders.”

What does all this mean for Cyclomundo clients?

For our “Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay” tour, our riders will have accommodations in Pontorson. For these trips, we recommend taking the shuttle from Pontorson as your accommodations are central to the train station.
For our “Authentic Brittany,” “Normandy Landmarks,” and “Cycling Normandy and Brittany for Avid Riders” tours, our hotel is located just steps from the car park. We strongly recommend leaving your bikes and luggage secured at your hotel first before going to Mont-Saint-Michel.

As you can see, you have plenty of options to get to Mont-Saint-Michel. Choose how you get there, but get there! You won’t be sorry.

Cyclomundo riders on the Veloscenie