Mont St Michel Tips?

[Alshymer]

Hi
I understand that Mont Saint Michel can price quite costly. Does anyone have any tips for the best value?
Thanks

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We drove in last year, clocked the price and turned round, unless you want to go in, there are good views as you pass with it on your left.

Street View of Mont Saint-Michel · Google Maps

50170, France

www.google.com

 

[Wully]

Park at the Aire in the village it’s one of the camping park places about £16 nicer than a lot of sites I’ve been on there’s a cycle path all the way probably 2 miles or there’s a bus from one of the car parks near by. Go at night you can just walk in and it’s less busy the shops and cafes are still open.

 

[runnach]

When we went, we parked at the restaurant on the right after the barrier. Deal being you had a meal there, which we did, and stop over was free. Don’t know if this method still exists?

I totally agree with Wully, visit the Mount un the evening when the hordes have left, this makes for far better visiter experience.

 

[marchie]

Park at the Aire in the village it’s one of the camping park places about £16 nicer than a lot of sites I’ve been on there’s a cycle path all the way probably 2 miles or there’s a bus from one of the car parks near by. Go at night you can just walk in and it’s less busy the shops and cafes are still open.

We stayed at a campsite around 1998/99 that a couple had just take over from the Commune and were in the process of updating it, Camping Haliotis, also 2 miles or so along a cycle path from the site, that brings you out opposite the main car park; wonder if that is now the Aire? We christened the campsite Camping Halitosis because there was a niff from the drains, which the owners were going to address And that was in a Frame Tent, long before the luxury of a Folding Caravan ...

Steve

 

[TJBi]

When we went, we parked at the restaurant on the right after the barrier. Deal being you had a meal there, which we did, and stop over was free. Don’t know if this method still exists?

I totally agree with Wully, visit the Mount un the evening when the hordes have left, this makes for far better visiter experience.

Probably this one: https://www.campingcar-infos.com/aire-aire-de-le-ferme-saint-michel/view.php?id=8726

 

[runnach]

Probably this one: https://www.campingcar-infos.com/aire-aire-de-le-ferme-saint-michel/view.php?id=8726

Yep, that’s the one Tom. Was a while ago, don’t know if the parking up remains? The food was beautiful!!

 

[TJBi]

Yep, that’s the one Tom. Was a while ago, don’t know if the parking up remains? The food was beautiful!!

The web link still works, so probably still operating.

 

[Wooie1958]

We stayed in the official parking, wasn`t cheap but you are right there to go down as often as you like.

Just walk down and hop on one of the free " Le Passeur " whenever you`re ready but be aware as previously said they get very very very busy especially first thing in a morning. mid-late afternoon is best.

For anyone interested in transport they are quite different to anything else and are driven from both ends as they do not turn around.

 

[Moped]

It used to be fun watching cars floating away in the former parking area near the entrance to the Mont. Sadly those days are long gone.

 

[Moped]

Park at the Aire in the village it’s one of the camping park places about £16 nicer than a lot of sites I’ve been on there’s a cycle path all the way probably 2 miles or there’s a bus from one of the car parks near by. Go at night you can just walk in and it’s less busy the shops and cafes are still open.

Just to add you cannot cycle to the Mont St Michel entrance. You have to leave your bike in the car park area and either walk the 2.4km or take the shuttle.

 

[GMJ]

We stayed in the official parking, wasn`t cheap but you are right there to go down as often as you like.

Just walk down and hop on one of the free " Le Passeur " whenever you`re ready but be aware as previously said they get very very very busy especially first thing in a morning. mid-late afternoon is best.

For anyone interested in transport they are quite different to anything else and are driven from both ends as they do not turn around.

View attachment 146152

Was that for overnighting Graham? Do you have a link to it that you could please post?

 

[Moped]

This link is probably useful. It does offer guidence for motorhome users. It does state "
It is forbidden to stay in the car park overnight. Parking at night is permitted, but the car park is not intended as an accommodation area for camper vans. There are no water and electricity provisions available. There are several campsites and camper van parks nearby that can accommodate you" All a bit confusing:-

By car, motorbike and camping van - Mont Saint-Michel Normandy Destination

How to get to Mont Saint-Michel by car, motorbike or camper van? We have all the information you need!

www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

 

[GMJ]

Yes, thanks . I'd seen that hence my question to Graham...just in case I'd missed something.

 

[GMJ]

The reason I ask is that Normandy/Brittany/Loire Valley is one option we are considering for next September's European trip. We haven't been back there for years, so are well overdue.

Other options are the Pyrenees or the Cote d'Azur.

 

[barryd]

Its a while since we went but I seem to remember finding a really nice free Aire a few miles from there and using the bike. I just parked where the shuttle is and jumped on that. Search for sites shows a few options nearby.

 

[Rumour]

We stopped at the CCP Aire about 5k from the Mont-Saint-Michel entrance in 2023. We cycled in and put the bikes in the area to the left of the main entrance that was opened for bikes. Lots left bikes to the right of the entrance on the outside wall. It is free to enter and wander around, but it costs to go into the uppermost abbey and have a tour. But even that was not expensive. Pity you were not there on 20/21 September, most monuments and public buildings were free to enter.

It is still acceptable to cycle to Le Mont, but make sure you take a good antitheft device and do NOT leave any bags or packs on the bike. This is a safety measure rather than avoiding theft.

 

[GMJ]

Was that for overnighting Graham? Do you have a link to it that you could please post?

We stayed in the official parking, wasn`t cheap but you are right there to go down as often as you like.

Just walk down and hop on one of the free " Le Passeur " whenever you`re ready but be aware as previously said they get very very very busy especially first thing in a morning. mid-late afternoon is best.

For anyone interested in transport they are quite different to anything else and are driven from both ends as they do not turn around.

View attachment 146152

@Wooie1958 - sorry Graham, I'm sure you missed it but did you overnight where you mentioned above?

 

[Wooie1958]

Yes Graham you need to drive all the way around the one way system to P8 which is just before the exit back onto the D776 however, they do say it is forbidden to stay overnight but you can park overnight.

There is a cover that can be lifted to the right of the exit for cassette emptying but no water for flushing.

When we stayed there was 30+ motorhomes of all nationalities including a couple of huge American RV`s that spent the night there, security came in and out a couple of times and never said a word to anyone.

By car, motorbike and camping van - Mont Saint-Michel Normandy Destination

How to get to Mont Saint-Michel by car, motorbike or camper van? We have all the information you need!

www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

 

[HurricaneSmith]

How things change over the years. We visited in our camper on 11th June 2009, and camped below the walls for a few euros cash.

After spending the day wandering around amongst very few other visitors, I stood up on the bench seats when it was dark and took an image through the roof light. Then settled down for the night.

Happy days when things were so much simpler .... and cheaper.