Mont Saint Michel Abbey, the iconic Gothic church perched atop the tidal island of the same name, is one of France's most recognisable monuments. Immerse yourself in its fascinating history!
Mont Saint Michel Abbey Ticket
You've probably seen photos before of a dramatic-looking rock jutting out of the sea, with mythical Gothic buildings clinging to its sides... this fairy-tale setting is Mont Saint Michel, a tidal island located at the mouth of the Couesnon River on the Normandy coast. It's one of France's most visited monuments and has been considered a sacred place for over a thousand years... are you ready to discover why?
Your ticket allows you to explore the abbey at your own pace. Admire the striking fusion of Romanesque and Gothic architecture represented across the different parts of the building, which have been built on top of each other since the original pre-Romanesque church-abbey was founded in the 10th century.
In addition to the historic church, which was only rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, the abbey houses yet another monumental complex: the "Marveille", where the monks lived. Here, you'll find the buildings constructed under Robert de Torigni, a 12th-century Abbot, as well as the cloister and the refectory, the monks' dining hall.
We also recommend delving deep into the lower levels of Mont Saint Michel Abbey, where the crypts and the Saint Martin Chapel are hidden. As you explore the mythical site, see if you can spot clues as to its occupation for several centuries from the 15th century onwards... it hasn't always been home to monks!
Depending on when you choose to visit the monument, you may also have the opportunity to attend one of the regular masses held for pilgrims in the church.
Opening times
The abbey of Saint-Michel Abbey is open during the following times:
- May 2 to August 31: 9 am to 7 pm
- September 1 to March 10: 9:30 am to 6 pm
- March 11 to April 30: 10 am to 6 pm
The last access allowed is always one hour before closing time.
On December 24 and 31, the closing time will be 4 pm.
Please note that these opening hours are flexible and subject to change.
Important: tide times
Due to the movements of the tides, on certain days of the year, access to Mont Saint Michel and its abbey is restricted for safety reasons. Consult the tide times and possible closure days via the following link:
Ticket Validity
For security and capacity reasons, in cases of large crowds, the monument may close early. So its best not to leave your visit to the monument until the end of the day. We recommend going from 10:30 am in low season (March 30 to April 30) and at 10 am in high season (from May 1) to avoid the crowds of the first hour.
For entries with time slots, depending on the time you choose, please keep in mind your ticket is valid for the following amount of time:
- At 11 am: the ticket will be valid until 1 pm
- At 1 pm: the ticket will be valid until 3 pm
- At 3 pm: the ticket will be valid until 5 pm
- At 5 pm: the ticket will be valid until 5:55 pm
Free admission
Admission to the Mont Saint Michel Abbey is free for the following individuals:
- Young people from the European Union between 18 and 25 years old.
- Children under 18 years old, regardless of their nationality.
Admission is also free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month between January 1 and March 31, and between November 1 and December 31. Similarly, the 3rd weekend of September is free.
In order to acquire the free admission mentioned above, you'll have to go to the site’s ticket office and present a certifying document of your eligibility for a free ticket.
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