Worthy of the pictures, Mont Saint-Michel is more than just an abbey, but also a town with cafes and boutiques, squares, and museums all worthy of your attention, though often overlooked or skipped for the designative abbey.

While going to Mont Saint-Michel can be achieved in one day, admittedly it is a bit of a commitment to take a day-trip there from Paris and may be more enjoyable if you spend a night in the area - perhaps Rennes or St. Malo. The whole process of getting there from Paris can take 3 hours, so if you have the energy to do it one day, have at it. Alternatively, if you want to only use one day of your vacation to visit this historic sight, consider taking an organized bus tour. This will save you a lot of time with transportation (no transfers!) and will provide you some historical context on your ride there. Or make for a good nap since you’ll be up early and back late.

How to get there:

If going independently, take a train from Paris to Rennes (approx. 1.5 hours), before taking a bus from Rennes to Mont Saint-Michel (approx 1 hour). The whole process from door-to-door can end up taking over 3 hours.

Practical Information:

There are lots of stairs at Mont Saint-Michel, as well as a day full of walking - consider if you feel physically capable of this trip because it can be taxing, and skip the heels or flimsy sandals. You definitely want to be wearing comfortable shoes and clothing for this visit.