Come with us on a Normandy private Shore Excursion from Saint Malo and take a trip to one of France’s most iconic monuments!
The Mont Saint Michel is an island off the coast of Normandy, in the English Channel, and is one of the best Normandy private tours you can choose. It is located about 1 kilometer from the shore and sits in a bay that sees some of the biggest tides in Europe. A few years ago, it was linked to the mainland by a bridge that gets flooded during high tides a few times a year.
The first church was built on the mount in 709 at the request of Archangel Michael. A couple hundred years later, a small group of Benedictines settled there permanently and the church was enlarged. The first monastery was carved in the rock in the 11th century and gradually got bigger and bigger over the following centuries. In medieval times, it quickly became an important destination for pilgrims, just like Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Completion of the abbey took hundreds of years
The construction of the abbey as we know it nowadays was finished in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the grand chancel was replaced in the 15th century. Those hundreds of years of architectural prowess have left us with a magnificent monument, now referred to as the “Wonder of the Western World”.
It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. During your Mont Saint Michel day trip, you will start by traveling from Saint Malo Cruise Port to the Mont Saint Michel, which you will access via a shuttle and the bridge in accordance with local requirements. While on the road, make sure to take it all in and observe the beauty of the Normandy coastline. Your group will be transported in a private vehicle adapted to the number of people present.
Once we reach Mont Saint Michel, you will have sufficient time to tour on your own. You can reach the abbey itself, at the very top of the mount, as you walk along the narrow streets. Please note that this is a challenging climb as it is done on cobble street stones.
If you do decide to visit the abbey, then follow your tour guide and the history of its construction will be explained in detail and while you are there, make sure to snap some pictures of the amazing views on the surrounding bay! Entrance fees to the Abbey can be purchased during the booking process.
The Mont Saint Michel is also a lively small town, boasting dozens of shops, restaurants and museums
Another option is to explore the village at your own pace and bring back some souvenirs for friends and family. Your guide will suggest some great restaurants for lunch. Of course, if you still have some questions about the history or the architecture of the Mont Saint Michel, your private guide will remain available for you.
This Mont Saint Michel private tour can take in small groups of 2 to 7 persons maximum. The tour takes place in a fully equipped A/C minivan. An English-speaking driver/guide will be with you all day and ready to answer any questions you may have.
After the tour, it will be time to make our way back to St Malo.
