Discover Mont Saint-Michel: A Fairytale Castle Day Trip from Paris & Normandy Travel Guide

How many people came to Mont Saint-Michel because of Jay Chou’s album cover? Well, I certainly did.

Mont Saint-Michel
[一R] Self-Driving:
[→] Parking Lots: P10 & P11 – Parkings voitures
These are paid parking lots. From September to June, parking is free from 6:30 PM to 3 AM.

[→] Parking Fees: First 30 minutes free, 3 hours: €16, 6 hours: €19, full day: €22 (prices are €4–€6 higher during peak season).

[二R] Train Travel:
Departure: Paris-Montparnasse Station
Arrival: Le Mont St Michel Station (nearest)
The ticket shows “1 et 2.” There are three platforms in total. Check the screen for the platform, which is mostly Hall 1, Platform 2. The train stops between Platforms 1 and 2.

[→] Free Shuttle Bus: 📍 Navettes “le Passeur”
Operating Hours: 7:30 AM–11:00 PM
Shuttles run every 10 minutes, with a 12-minute ride.
This shuttle takes you to Mont Saint-Michel. After visiting the 18 bends, you can take the shuttle to the attractions. The shuttle stops at three locations along the way, allowing you to get on or off midway.

[→] Must-Visit Spots:
[一R] The 18 Bends Path (Sentier à Saint-Michel)
📍 JG86+F9 Pontorson, France
Get off at Place du barrage station. Enter through the pasture gate (remember to close it). There’s only one path—follow it straight, then turn right at the end. Walking to the castle takes about 40 minutes.

[二R] Sheep Spot (Méandres)
JG94+PQ, Pontorson, France
The grassland has many puddles, and the ground is muddy. It’s best to wear rain boots or shoe covers.

[三R] Mont Saint-Michel Footbridge (Light Hiking Spot)
This is the exact location featured on Jay Chou’s “Greatest Works of Art” album cover. For a light 2 km hike with scenic views along the way, start here.

[四R] Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
Climb to the top of the tower for a breathtaking view of Mont Saint-Michel and the Normandy coast. It’s absolutely worth it. Entry to the castle is free, but the abbey ticket costs €13 (open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM). Pets are not allowed.

Weather Recommendation: Visit between April and October! If you come in winter, you won’t see the “18 bends” or the sheep, and the small wooden gate will be locked. However, the abbey won’t have long queues, offering a different experience.

It’s still recommended to travel by chartered car to avoid wasting time on train transfers and having to rush for the last train back to Paris. This is more of a “special forces” style trip.

[黄色心形R] The DaXiong Travel App offers customized itineraries, covering all the must-see spots for a day trip around Paris, making your trip easy and enjoyable.