Has anyone ever been walked around the quick sand near Mont St. Michel? Do you need a guide for this? I don't want to trek far out or cross the bay I just wanted to walk around the area near the island. Can one just check the tide tables?
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen,
When I was there the tide was low and there were a couple hundred people just out and walking around. I do not know if that was a smart thing to do, but I did not see anything that looked like a guided tour out there.
If you are at all concerned about quicksand, take a look at this calming page on howstuffworks.com.
As far as I know, the primary danger is not quicksand, but the tides, which come in rapidly and unevenly. You'll see plenty of people walking through the mud at low tide, but I'm not sure how safe this is.
Karen,
Google "Mont St. Michel tide tables" and you'll find high and low tides for the date you plan to be there. We were there 2 months ago and there were no real high tides to be seen on the days we were there :( -- It's still a great place to to visit. Every year unwary tourists are cut off and swept out with the tide so be SURE to know the times of the incoming tide if you walk out across the flats. I think the quicksand came into play when mounted knights inolden days tried to cut across the flats and their horses bogged down.
Take care
Karen, The first time we went to MSM my son was 7 and my husband told him he could go exprlore - before we saw the beware of quicksand signs...then I was panicked.
We returned last summer and planned our trip so we would be there to see the tide come in. We all walked all the way around the mont - along with many other people. It is safe, but I would say it's probably a good idea to do it with someone, and as the other poster said - know when to expect the tide!
Here's a website that tells the tide times for the whole year. http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/horaires_juin08_gb.htm
Have fun, it's a really great place!
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I think I will just go there when the tides are low and while everyone else is out walking about. The reason why I wanted to see the quick sand was because of the Lonely Planet episode with Justine Shapiro and it seemed really fun!
Thanks,
Karen
