Le Mont Saint-Michel: A Magical Monument to France’s Past

Le Mont Saint-Michel and I go way back. Well in the “I want to go there” sort of a way. Since before I was born my grandparents have had an oil painting of this magical spot hanging over their fireplace. They bought it on the streets of France from the artist, a Holocaust survivor, while living there during the 1960s. Stories of disappearing roads to “castles” in Europe will fill any child with a desire to experience it for themselves.

Fast forward to when John and I were dating. He was planning an epic proposal in Paris, and knowing that I had always wanted to visit the magical Le Mont Saint-Michel, he made plans for a side trip unbeknownst to me. So many boyfriend points right there!

It really doesn’t need to be said that this dreamy place lived up to its reputation. Le Mont Saint-Michel is a beautifully preserved homage to its past and I can’t wait to go back with the rest of my family. If you’re thinking of visiting this special place (which you definitely need to!), check out some of my recommendations below.

Rent a Car from the Train Station
As soon as we landed in Paris we took a train to Rennes for our first leg of the journey. From there we rented a car from the train station and drove the 60 minutes to Le Mont Saint-Michel. We had actually intended to take a shuttle bus from the Rennes train station but the Parisian transportation system was conveniently on strike while we were there which led to us missing our intended train and consequently the bus. Adapting to a change in plans is always necessary when traveling! In the end we were grateful to drive ourselves as it afforded us the opportunity to really soak in the gorgeous countryside and take photos as we went.

Visit the Island in the Evening after the Crowds Leave
The experience of roaming the island after the crowds left was a completely different one then the next day when the island resembled a theme park at times. In the evening it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves as we roamed the one ancient street as it wound up and around toward the abbey itself. That was such a singular experience that I treasure.

Spend Some Time at the Le Mere Poulard Hotel & Restaurant
Le Mere Poulard was founded in 1888 so it’s hard to beat that for authenticity. I totally lucked out on this trip in that John made reservations for us here. It’s an old hotel with lots of charm. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option still close to the abbey, there are a lot of choices in the village across the causeway. We ended up needing to park our car there anyways and take the shuttle back to the abbey because there’s no long term parking on the island.

If one can spring for it, definitely dine at the renowned Le Mere Poulard Restaurant. In keeping with tradition we ate there our first night and loved the experience. Even if you decide to forego dining there, definitely stop by to view the chefs whipping by hand the omelets in massive brass bowls. The story is that after her guests made the long, often difficult journey, to comfort them Mrs. Poulard kept the fire in the large fireplace alight at all times and made her famous soufflée omelets over an open fire. You can still partake of the secret recipe yourself by dining in the restaurant.

If I could recommend any one souvenir from the Le Mont Saint-Michel, it’s the butter cookies sold in a tin from La Mere Poulard. They’re famous and you’ll love reusing the tin once the cookies are gone.

Do the Audio Tour of the Abbey
There is just so much history of this landmark that you don’t want to miss out on by wandering aimlessly. You’ll discover the stages of construction as the fortress was built up overtime and marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage Site that has brought pilgrims the world over for more than a millennia.

Hope these tips help you plan your own beautiful Le Mont Saint-Michel trip. I loved this special place and hope all have a chance to experience it. Let me know if you’ve been by commenting below!