2023-04-18 12:44:17
It is one of the ten most visited tourist sites in France. Outside of Paris, Mont Saint-Michel is even the number one site in France with around three million visitors flocking there each year. The subject of a perpetual turf war between Brittany and Normandy, the Marvel attracts thousands of curious people every day from all over the world to discover this extraordinary site. Planted with a huge bay of mud, the one called Mont-Tombe faces a major challenge: that of welcoming millions of visitors in a constrained space, made up of narrow streets and steep stairs.
With the Easter holidays, the Mont came out of its hibernation to slowly enter the “mid-season”. The closer we get to summer, the more complicated it will be to venture there. So how to get there? What time of day do you prefer? High tide or low tide? We asked the regulars the question.
From Easter, “it becomes crazy”
Pascal is a history of Mont. Working for the sanctuary, he goes here every morning very early and discovers a very special environment that tourists do not see. “In the morning, it’s another world, that of the delivery men who are agitated. There is life, there is noise. The one who lived here for several years describes two very distinct periods. “October to April is pretty quiet. Looks like we’re in hibernation, like groundhogs. But from Easter, it’s completely different, the world arrives and it gets crazy. The regular of the place therefore advises to come in winter. “The colors are different, the sky is sometimes fiery red, it’s incredible. Since the construction of the footbridge, the Mont can also become an island again. During very high tides, the water even comes to cover the road, giving back to the Marvel its insular character that it had long lost.
And if we had to visit the Mont in season? Pascal recommends staying there in the evening. “In the evening, when he falls asleep, it’s quieter, it’s lit. Before, a lot of people stayed for dinner, but it’s rarer since the car park was removed. An employee for eleven years in the restaurant business, Jérémy is going in the same direction. “At night, it’s great. You just have the mountain which is lit up, it’s very beautiful”. He appreciates the period of September “after the crazy season”.
On foot is good, on a bike is better
In an attempt to encourage visitors to stay in the evening, the public establishment of Mont Saint-Michel has just introduced free parking from 6.30 p.m. and regularly offers nightly cultural events. Its objective: to disperse visitors in order to avoid saturating the site and to bring locals back. “In summer, there are people everywhere, all the time. I prefer to arrive early in the morning. You can enjoy the sunrise, the colors are magical”, testifies Christopher, before starting to clean a sanctuary room with a view of the bay. For the crossing, it is better to do it on foot, the shuttle can be crowded and not very relaxing. Plan a 45 minute walk from the car parks. We would also like to recommend that you get there by bike. As you pedal, you will see the Mont gently approaching, in a sumptuous, almost disorienting environment. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the country. Only problem: the places to put down your two-wheelers are not very numerous.
Historian, Henry Descaens is undoubtedly one of those who know the Marvel best. His favorite time to visit it? “Rather in winter when there is no one. This is where we find some of the origins of the Mont. Before the arrival of pilgrims, it served as a refuge for hermits who came here to live alone, in the middle of nowhere. The historian has already seen his protege be almost deserted, especially when the weather was terrible. “When there is no one around, the Mont is very, very quiet. There is not a sound. It gives me a rest from the hubbub and the constant noise of our contemporary society, ”explains the specialist. He also recommends staying there to sleep, so you can stay late, “without worrying about the shuttle.” When he has to come in season, Henry Descaens prefers to opt for a stroll in the bay, far from the thousands of cell phones connected to Instagram.
Independent guide of the bay, François Lamotte d’Argy obviously defends this crossing at low tide, with his feet in the mud. “We discover the Mont in a different way. If it is what it is, it is because of the beauty of the nature that surrounds it. For me, it’s important to start by crossing the bay, to understand the environment that surrounds it. The guide recommends spending two days there, in order to take the time to visit the pebble during the day “before 11 a.m.”. After this time, you risk traffic jams in the narrow streets.
To avoid rubbing shoulders with the many not really local souvenir shops, we advise you to take the small door on the left of the Mont, which will take you to the abbey (remember to book) on a charming cobblestone path. You are ready to climb.
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