A few questions (and answers) about Mont Saint-Michel
Is Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany or Normandy?
Let's start with THE question: the one that divides and opposes, especially Bretons and Normans!
The Normans say it loud and clear, the Wonder is Norman! The Bretons prefer to say that it was taken from Brittany... There is even an adage that says "The Couesnon in its madness put the Mount in Normandy! Let's hope it comes to its senses and gives it back to the Bretons!
As you can see, Mont St-Michel is indeed in Normandy...
Historically, it was Bishop Aubert of Avranches (in Normandy) who had a shrine built on Mont-Tombe in 708 in honour of the Archangel Saint-Michel (at the latter's request, during a dream of Aubert's, yes, even 3 times).
In 867, the Treaty of Compiègne conceded it (along with the whole of the Cotentin and Avranchin) to the King of Brittany, and it remained politically Breton, even if the religious power continued to emanate from the diocese of Avranches, in the ecclesiastical province of Rouen, in Normandy...
In 933, the Duke of Normandy obtained from the King of France the enlargement of his territory with the Cotentin and Avranchin regions... The Mount thus became Norman and the Bretons felt that they had been dispossessed!
The quarrel did not start yesterday, but the question is still being asked today!
At The 1900, you can stay in Brittany and visit the Mount in nearby Normandy and thus reunite the 2 regions! Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
In which city is Mont Saint-Michel located?
The answer is in the question!
Le Mont is a city in its own right, with its own mayor, its own postcode, 50170 for the curious, and its own permanent inhabitants (33 in 2015).
It is a Norman enclave on the Breton side of the Couesnon, by the way, to add to the previous question....
In which department is Mont Saint-Michel located?
After the region and the city, it seemed logical to answer this question too.
The answer is the Manche, number 50. A Norman department, which includes the Avranchin and the Cotentin (yes, another reference to the first question...).
The 1900 is in Ille-et-Vilaine, 35, only a few miles from La Manche
Where to park at Mont Saint Michel?
Until 2012 it was possible to park at the foot of the mountain, directly in the bay. This has repeatedly shown that cars and the sea do not mix well.
From now on, the bay is open to the sea, at least at high tide, and cars can be parked in the nearby car park. Free shuttles will take you to the foot of the mountain if you don't feel like walking. The same goes for the return journey.
If you have a bicycle, you can and should park it at the footbridge that connects the mainland to the Mont.
Where to stay near Mont Saint-Michel?
You are bound to find a hotel near Mont Saint-Michel, a hostel on the Mont, a gite nearby or a bed and breakfast right next door.
The Wonder attracts people from all over the world, so there is plenty of accommodation available.
There are already fewer hotels, bed and breakfasts or guest houses with a swimming pool... with a jacuzzi, just to relax after visiting the Mont, much less.... with a sauna to relax the muscles, much more less... and if you add a cinema, a garden that exudes serenity, comfortable and charming rooms, a delicious guest table, there is only one possibility!
As you may have guessed, it's the 1900.
Is there a charge for visiting Mont Saint-Michel?
As said above, the Mont is a village and as such its access is totally free, but the Mont's car park is not...
The abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is part of the Centre des Monument Nationaux, like some of the Loire castles or the Arc de Triomphe in Paris for example, and access to it is not free.
If you park further away and come on foot and do not visit the abbey, you will not have to pay anything! As for the abbey, it would be a shame, though.
A little advice: book your visit to the abbey online to avoid a queue (sometimes very long) at the ticket office on site
How to visit the Mont Saint-Michel bay by foot?
This cannot be improvised!
It's easy to walk, but the Bay of Mont is a trap: quicksand, rising water, and above all, unpredictable for us laymen.
Throughout the year, dozens of people are surprised and rescued by the fire brigade by boat or helicopter (beware, the ride is not free)...
Moreover, it can be useful to know and understand the tide times to make the most of your visit.
Consult the tourist office to find an official guide: they will show you the bay and its beauties in complete safety, share their passion with you and are nice to be around!
There are still a number of questions to be asked:
Where to eat near the Mount?
Where does all the water go at low tide?
What are the salt meadows?
How was Mont Saint Michel built?
Why was the Mont built in this place?
etc... etc..
We can answer them (or at least try to), when you come...
