Hello. We want to visit Mont Saint Michel in late June. We were thinking of getting there early in the morning rather than in the evening (both due to our other travel plans and the tides). Tickets are available starting at 9am and it is about a 45 minute walk if you don't take the shuttle bus. Does that mean you are able to arrive and park and start walking along the causeway at 8am or earlier? High tide should be close to 7:50am the day we want to visit. I wasn't sure if the walking causeway was always open or if it had specific hours. Thanks for your help and info!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8290 posts
In modern times, and with massive infrastructure improvements in the last decade or two, the historical isolation of the island is much less than, say, post-war visitors remember. You can "get to" the medieval town almost regardless of the tides, and can walk on the sand for almost the same distance as the end of the causeway when the tide is out. Both walks (causeway and sand) are only about the length of a basketball court. That's a minor distance for anyone with no problems walking.
Obviously, if walking all around the island, for example, is important to you, you need good information on the tides - both for convenience and for safety.
One reason there is a double-ended electric shuttle bus is because the distance to the farthest auto and bus parking spaces (I mean, on a busy summer day) is so far that many people are tired before they get to the causeway. It's NOT because of the causeway's length. This distance is so far that there are diesel busses for the longer part of the way, AFAIR.
We walked all the way, because it was interesting to see "the tourist 'strip'", filled with a supermarket, off-island modern chain hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, and so on. This place is "ready" for the crowds. I think the island and the abbey have different hours, and the abbey, other than religious services, is only seen by group tours. So don't confuse the two "opening times."
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15563 posts
I'll add that although the new causeway is above water even at high tide, last October I arrived to a "super high tide" and the last 100 feet or so, from the end of the causeway to the "front door" of the village were covered with water. The tide was ebbing so we waited about 10 minutes and could scoot across between wavelets. If we'd had patience and waited another 10 it would have been no water at all. This apparently ONLY occurs at a seasonal super high tide and is clear on a regular high tide.
Here is a google map view. The place I'm talking about is where the cars are parked. It's paved but subject to water.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aT9LsJJCgjiXPWmE9
You do not need a group tour to see the abbey. You can get a timed entry ticket on your own. I am guessing this is what you are referring to as a ticket.
The village of Mont Saint-Michel is open 24/7. People who stay overnight there walk around and leave whenever they want to so it's not like the gates are closed. The ABBEY is only open certain times.
BTW, as you walk from the parking lot to the causeway you'll go by their emergency services department. I was fascinated at the special trucks/equipment they have for going out onto the tidal flats for rescues. Big balloon tires on some rigs, tank type tracks on others. I'd give yourself enough time to "mosey", hahaha!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, Pam and Tim! Very helpful info!
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1362 posts
It looks like the causeway will not be submerged anytime in June this year, but the high tide varies from 6:30–11:30am the last week of this June.