Mont Saint Michel is located off the coast of Normandy and Brittany, around 800 meters away. These regions are located on the Northwestern coast of France.
Going where past invaders could not has become easier as there are many options for reaching Mont St Michel now.
A causeway connects the tidal island to the mainland. You can walk or take a horse carriage or shuttle bus as well.
Below you will see how to get to Mont Saint Michel from Paris and Bayeux.
From Paris
You can get to Mont Saint Michel from Paris by train, road, bus or shuttle. The most efficient option is by train.
Train
The best option is the 2.5-hour TGV train from Paris Montparnasse station.
You will get off at Dol-de-Bretagne station, 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mont Saint-Michel.
You can take a taxi from here, which will take 30 to 45 minutes to get to Mont Saint-Michel.
Another TGV train goes from Paris Montparnasse station to Rennes in Brittany, and then a TER train goes to Dol-de-Bretagne. Total time is 2.25 hours.
The SNCF offers a direct train from Paris Montparnasse to Mont Saint-Michel daily. You will change at Villedieu Les Poeles, a 10-minute stop.
Starting from Paris Montparnasse station at 9.19 am, you will reach Mont Saint-Michel at 1.09 pm. With a total of three hours and 50 minutes travel time.
Rent a Car/Take a Taxi
Driving to Mont Saint Michel is a convenient option. The tourist information center has a dedicated parking lot on the mainland.
From Place des Navettes, take a shuttle or walk across the causeway for the remaining 800 meters.
The drive from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel takes between 3.5 and 4 hours.
Stay on the A13 motorway towards Caen, then merge into the A84 motorway towards Avranches.
Heading to Rennes is the most direct and quickest drive.
You have an alternate route if you are willing to explore the Brittany and Normandy region.
Go by the A11 motorway to Le Mans, then connect to the A81 motorway towards Fougères.
Take a Guided Tour
Given the location, you will generally have transfers included in your guided tour.
If you are already on the Normandy coast, then you can book your tickets from Bayeux.
Depending on the meeting point, you will meet your guide before reaching Mont St Michel.
Take your to check off one of the most popular sites in France.
Mont Saint Michel Free Shuttle
Mont Saint Michel offers a dedicated passenger shuttle from 7.30 am to 11 pm.
You can head from the mainland to the island. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible and allows guide dogs and assistance animals.
Your stop is 350 meters away from the final destination.
If you want to avoid crowds during your visit, we suggest buying Mont Saint Michel tickets beforehand.
Take the Bus
BlaBlaCar Bus runs from the Gare Routière Bercy-Seine and takes five hours and 45 minutes to Beauvoir.
It leaves at 9.20 am and arrives at 3.05 pm, from Thursday through Sunday. Get off near the pedestrian paths and bridge to Mont Saint-Michel.
You can either walk or take the Passeur shuttle bus from there. It makes more sense to take this option if you come from the Brittany or Normandy region.
From Bayeux
Another major tourist destination close to Mont Saint Michel is Bayeux.
If you are already visiting Normandy, you should not return back without visiting the Mont Saint Michel abbey.
You can take a shuttle bus train or go by taxi or car. It will be a shorter day of travel once you are already on the Northwestern coast of France.
By Shuttle
The shuttle bus run by SNCF is the easiest access to Mont Saint Michel. They run from the nearest station and the tourist information center.
The shuttle schedule matches the train schedule for your convenience. The bus drops you right at the entrance.
You can also take a short walk to the village or hire a horse-drawn carriage.
By Train and Shuttle Bus or Taxi
The closest station to Mont Saint Michel is Pontorson.
The TER regional train runs from Bayeux and takes 2.75 hours.
The free Passeur coaches also run between Bayeux and Mont Saint Michel.
You can also take a taxi to the Mont-Saint-Michel tourist information center. Without traffic, it will only take you 2 hours.
The high tide blocks access to the coach terminus during the spring tide. So they drop you at the tourist information center.
By Car or Private Driver
Take the A84/E401 toll autoroute and then N175/E401 national highway. This will take you two hours. The parking is at the tourist information center.
Then you can walk, take a carriage or a shuttle bus.
FAQs
What is the best way to get to Mont St Michel?
A guided tour with transfers is the best way to get to Mont St Michel. u003cbru003eTake this u003ca href=u0022https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/from-paris-mont-st-michel-at-your-own-pace-by-coach-t133257/?partner_id=ENOO9B2u0026amp;cmp=stmichelt-1u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener sponsoredu0022u003eprivate getaway from Paris to Mont Saint Michelu003c/au003e with a group of up to 8 people for a taste of the finest cider.
How to get to Mont St Michel without a car?
You can also take the BlaBlaCar Bus, which runs from the Gare Routière Bercy-Seine.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAnother option is to take a direct train from Paris Montparnasse to Mont Saint-Michel
Which part of France is Mont St Michel?
Mont Saint Michel is a rock islet off the Northwestern coast of France, it is a continuation of the culture from the Norman coast.
Which city is close to Mont Saint Michel?
The closest city to Mont Saint Michel is Ponterson, a small town just 7 km (4.5 miles) away by road. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe capital city of Brittany region, Rennes is the next closest city towards the South. The distance between them is approximately 70 kilmeters (43 miles).
Featured Image: Global-geography.org