10 Drool-Worthy Photos To Inspire You To Add Mont St Michel To Your Bucket List Immediately
If you’re looking for a place that feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale, Mont Saint Michel is a must-see. This tiny island, crowned by an impressive abbey and medieval village, rises dramatically above a vast bay, making it one of the most picturesque destinations in the world.
Mont Saint Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s easy to see why – from the tides that shift the landscape multiple times a day to the intricate architecture that dates back over 1000 years.
The island’s tides are the largest in Europe, transforming the scenery with each 12-hour cycle. Watching the water rush in or recede is an experience that adds to the island’s mystical charm.
Mont Saint Michel has an allure that captivates history lovers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and curious tourists alike. So it’s no surprise it draws 2 million visitors annually.
Whether you’re exploring the abbey’s grand halls, wandering through the narrow village streets, marveling at the dramatic tidal shifts, or admiring the beautiful viewpoints, Mont Saint Michel promises a unique and unforgettable experience.
In the following collection of photos, you’ll get a glimpse of why this iconic destination should be on your travel bucket list.
#1 Mont Saint Michel at High Tide at Sunset
The most classic image of Mont Saint Michel is like the above – when the high tide turns the Mont into a freestanding island, a perfect reflection shimmering in the late evening’s light.
The tides of Mont Saint Michel are incredibly fascinating – they are the biggest in Europe and dramatically change throughout the day and the seasons.
The tide can come in at up to 6km/hr (4 mph), and the incoming tidal wave can be up to a meter (3 feet) tall on the biggest tides.
While there are 2 high tides and two low tides every day, the strongest tides – the ones that are big enough to turn MSM back into an island – happen around the equinoxes (in spring and fall).
In summer and winter, even at high tide, there is still a decent bit of dry land connecting the Mont to the mainland.
#2 The Meanders of Mont Saint Michel
The Meanders is a charming viewpoint around Mont Saint Michel where a tightly winding streambed cuts through a field. This spot is all over social media and has become a popular viewpoint, for good reason – it is SO picturesque.
Most of the time the Meanders are dry – they only are filled a few times a year when the tides are high enough.
You can find the Meanders in a sheep field on the east side of the Mont. If you are there early in the morning, you might get to see the herds of sheep being let out to graze – a whole herd of them came right by us while we were there!
#3 From the River and Dam
The dam, or “barrage” in French, of Mont Saint Michel is about 2 km from the Mont and helps control the flow of water around the bay.
The dam is also designed to be a very pleasant pedestrian bridge, and from the middle you get this great view along the winding river up to the Mont.
#4 While Biking
Biking around Mont Saint Michel is one of the most idyllic ways to experience the incredible landscapes – with the fresh breeze flowing through your hair, the sun on your back, and the dramatic Mont in front of you, it really feels like something out of a storybook.
Biking allows you to easily access multiple viewpoints – many not available to cars. For example, there is a long, paved bike path that runs parallel to the river and the main road to the Mont and makes for incredible views as you approach.
You can also bike across the dam, through paths in the fields, and on backroads to explore the Mont Saint Michel area.
#5 From the Fields Around the Mont
This secluded field on the left side of Mont Saint Michel allows you to get pretty up close and personal with the entire Mont filling the background.
I loved this field and couldn’t get enough of how the abbey just looms above us – definitely a pinch-me moment!
#6 With Wildflowers
If you visit in mid-summer, you can catch the wildflowers growing around Mont Saint Michel!
#7 From the Bay
At low tide, you can walk on the sand around the island and get a unique view of the island in the sand, but you do need to be very careful – tides come in fast and there are patches of quicksand around the bay.
We thought going out farther into the bay sounded like fun, so we booked a bay walking tour and it was a highlight of our visit.
We walked far out into the bay to the very backside of the Mont, walking through hard sand, soft sand, and even shallow pools of water. Here, we saw a view of Mont Saint Michel that few people get to see – with just the abbey on top and a small forest below.
But the coolest part of the walking tour was the quicksand demonstration, where we learned how quicksand is formed, how you get trapped, and how to get out – and then actually purposefully got ourselves trapped in quicksand (and of course then got ourselves safely out).
#8 From the Bridge
Mont Saint Michel is connected to the mainland via a bridge with wooden walkways, and you can either bike, walk, or take a shuttle onto the island.
This bridge is one of the closest vantage points you can get of the Mont, and it’s incredible just how tall it is – it rises about 92 meters (or just over 300 feet) above the surrounding bay.
#9 In the Village
The rest of Mont Saint Michel not taken up by the abbey is a teeny, tiny village full of cobblestoned lanes, stone buildings, rampart walls, and cute signposts. There are a few charming streets to walk up and down, including the Grande Rue, the main street of the village.
While the streets are quaint and feel like they came right out of Medieval times, they can get packed – taking a stroll before 10am or after 6-7pm will give you a much more pleasant experience.
#10 In the Abbey
Finally, the abbey of Mont Saint Michel itself! The abbey is the dominating structure on Mont St Michel – a fortress-like building perched right on top of the island. This is THE thing to do on Mont Saint Michel and is a must-visit.
The abbey is over 1000 years old and has been built and modified throughout the years, as reflected in many different architectural styles that you’ll see in the building.
Legend states that Saint Michael appeared to the Bishop Aubert of Avranches (a nearby city) and told him to build an abbey for him. Aubert didn’t listen until Saint Michael touched his forehead, leaving an imprint on his head and finally convincing the bishop to start construction on the abbey.
The rooms are grand and the engineering is impressive – sometimes you see the spots where the island rock and abbey stones touch and almost intertwine.
It’s a really beautiful building with a fascinating history and is a must-visit when coming to Mont Saint Michel.
The Wrap Up
Are you convinced to add Mont Saint Michel to your bucket list yet? I hope so! This incredible landmark is one of the most famous spots in France for good reason, and it is sure to be a trip you won’t soon forget.
