Private car transfer from Paris to Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint-Michel was constructed over several centuries, from the 11th to the 16th centuries. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, hence its name. The golden statue atop the abbey's spire depicts this Archangel. Although Mont Saint-Michel is not a city, town, or country, it has developed over the centuries and is surrounded by a tiny village of hotels, shops, and restaurants you can explore.

According to local legend, Mont Saint-Michel was constructed in 708 AD after Saint Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches, dreamed that Saint Michael instructed him to build an abbey on the rocky island. Before the bridge was built to the abbey, medieval pilgrims would fearfully cross the sand to reach it while the tides were out. Since much of the surrounding sand was quicksand, this was a perilous journey and was justly nicknamed "In Peril of the Sea". Even today, visitors are advised to avoid walking across the sands without a guide.

Since 1979, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay have been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its fairytale appearance is also said to have inspired numerous movies. When you visit, you can look forward to majestic views from the fortification walls, a medieval main street that you can walk along for shopping, and eating salt-meadow lamb – a local delicacy – when dining out.

Remember to sightsee along the way

The distance between Paris and Mont Saint Michel is about 225 miles or more than 300 km. This means that it is quite far, and depending on how you travel, it can take more than four hours. The upside of the journey being so long is that if you travel with a private door-to-door car service like Daytrip, you'll get to stop and sightsee many amazing places.

Remember to check the tides

After you've seen the many places on your travel itinerary along the way, it's important to remember that Mont Saint Michel only becomes an island when the tides are incredibly high. So, if you're planning to cross the bridge and see an almost floating abbey perched upon cliffs, you'll need to visit during a supertide.

But this isn't the only time you can visit. Even when the tide is out or low, you can still make your way to Mont Saint Michel. You just shouldn't expect it to look the same. So set your expectations accordingly and search for tidal information before you visit or while driving to the attraction with Daytrip.

Consider staying overnight

It is possible to make a day trip from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, but it will be a long and exhausting journey. That's why it's a good idea to stay overnight in the area. If you cannot find accommodation in Mont Saint-Michel's village, you can book a hotel in a nearby town.

From Paris to Mont Saint Michel by train

The fastest way to get to Mont Saint Michel from Paris is by taking a train trip. Unfortunately, the downside is that train trips along this route often involve transfers, and can be canceled if the railway workers strike.

If you book using the TGV train line, you can expect to travel by train from Paris to Rennes, which takes about two hours and costs $70. Once you're in Rennes, you will travel by train to the Mont Saint-Michel station, which usually takes about 40 minutes and costs $11 on average per ticket.

Alternatively, you can book with the SNFC train line, but these trains tend to take longer to reach their destination. The trains depart from the Paris Gare Montparnasse station five times daily.

The journey costs about $45 and takes an average of 4.5 hours to complete. Once you arrive at the transfer station, you will continue with an SNCF train to Mont Saint Michel. This can be tricky and often involves lots of planning.

From Paris to Mont Saint Michel by private car transfer service

The distance between Paris and Mont Saint Michel is about 225 miles, which means that if you travel with a private car service like Daytrip, you will reach your destination in about 4.5 hours. There are different routes to take, so choosing how to get to this island can be difficult, but your Daytrip driver will handle that for you.

They will handle any traffic and your luggage. Your professional English-speaking driver will also provide travel tips about places you shouldn't miss and some local insights. Along the way, you can even stop for sightseeing to enrich your time in France.

You'll also love that prices are affordable, the luxury cars are comfortable, and your time is optimized since you won't need to consult public transportation timetables and schedules. You'll get to choose when you travel, the time you travel, and your stops.

Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel

After touring the abbey, you can sightsee the bay of Mont Saint Michel. This bay often experiences some of the world's biggest tidal ranges, allowing it to create an ever-changing seascape, with the island reappearing and disappearing depending on the day and the tides.

When looking out onto the bay, you can see that the water patterns change by the hour. And if you visit during spring, you're in for a treat. Often during this season, the waters of Mont-Saint Michel withdraw as far as 25 km from the shore before the water rushes back into the bay like a galloping horse. It's a sight you won't want to miss.

Musée Historique and Archéoscope

There are two museums you should visit when you visit Mont Saint Michel. These museums are the Musée Historique and Archéoscope. The Musee Historique allows you to learn more about the region through exhibits showcasing old weapons, ancient artifacts, and historical documents.

On the other hand, the Archeoscope Museum offers you an audio-visual show demonstrating the construction of Mont Saint Michel. Both are worth spending an hour or two in to understand this island village set apart from the rest of France.