CAMPING AT LE MONT SAINT-MICHEL & IS IT WORTH IT?

NOVEMBER 2024

I was a bit hesitant to visit Le Mont Saint-Michel. On one hand it seems like a spectacular sight, but I had also heard that it is a tourist trap and very uncomfortable to visit. On our way to the ferry to Ireland it was really easy to add Le Mont Saint-Michel to our itinerary, so I decided I didn’t have excuses anymore and would finally visit Le Mont Saint-Michel. I ended absolutely loving it and was very happy with my choice. In this blogpost I will explain how you can love a visit as well.

Where we stayed/parking

We visited with our campervan and booked the campsite that was nearest to Le Mont Saint-Michel: Camping du Mont Saint-Michel. From this campsite you can easily take the shuttle bus that takes you over the access way to Le Mont Saint-Michel and you can even walk. The campsite had great facilities and was overall very relaxed and only costs € 29 per night. The benefit of staying so close is that you can also enjoy the sunset over Le Mont Saint-Michel, which was magical. You do need to pay an access fee for the village of about € 13 per night, this is for hotels and the campsite. It is a bit weird but it seems to finance the facilities of getting to Le Mont Saint-Michel. If you are staying further away you can use the car parks, they are also suitable for campervans, there is a fee of about € 20 per day, but you can use the shuttles buses for free. The car park is huge and it is very easy to visit Le Mont Saint-Michel

How we experienced Le Mont Saint-Michel

Despite it being a really popular destination, it is really easy to enjoy Le Mont Saint-Michel. It is located just off the coast, in a stunning nature area, which consists of polders. So by walking through the polders you will get the best views. There is a flock of sheep grazing these grounds, you can actually get up and close with them and enjoy Le Mont Saint-Michel in the background. If we would have brought our bikes we would have loved to explore even more of the area. You will see some people walking through the polders, but it was quiet enough to bring the drone out. One of the best spots in the polders is Meandres, which is like a dry river bed with little bendsm which is super cute. We spent about two hours admiring Le Mont Saint-Michel from this area!

During the hottest part of the day we relaxed at the campsite, so we were fully rested to combat the crowds in the afternoon. We took the shuttle bus to Le Mont Saint-Michel and arrived at about 4PM. First we walked onto the beach, which gives you really good views of the site.

I always say that you don’t see the view, when you are in the view, which is also the case when visiting Le Mont Saint-Michel. Though the Medieval streets are beautifully maintained, you cannot really grasp where you are. The streets are very narrow and lots of people are gathered on the streets buying icecream and visiting tourist shops.

If you want to escape the crowds for a bit, it is wise to buy a ticket for the abbey. We just rocked up and bought a ticket for € 13. This steep entrance fee turns off a lot of visitors, making the visit itself very enjoyable. We loved learning about the history, what the sight was used for and enjoyed the views over the region. You get a map when you enter which guides you through the buildings, I found it very informative. We spent about one hour exploring.

Other things to do in the area

We loved this part of Normandie, it is very touristy and pretty and there are lots of things to do. For example we did a cider tasting at Le Grange de Courtils, which is located at the access road to Mont Saint-Michel.

This area is also known for its farm to table style food, we had dinner at La Ferme Saint-Michel, which is a restaurant in an old barn, serving incredibly tasty dishes. Definitely make reservations if you want to sit outside. We deliberately did not eat in the village as it seemed like tourist trap restaurants.

Don’t forget to enjoy the sunset after your visit to Le Mont Saint-Michel! This is the time of day when all the day tourists have left and it is just perfect.