"Mont Saint Michel in my eyes" Mont Saint Michel by Beausoleil

Mont Saint Michel Travel Guide: 296 reviews and 957 photos

Mont Saint Michel

This has to be one of the most-photographed sites in the world. No matter where you are when you first see it, you are filled with awe. No matter how many times you return, you are filled with awe. It is stunning in sunshine and in rain. There is just something magical about the site of the abbey on top of a mountain.

For those worried, they give you tide information so you won't lose your car or tour bus to rising water. The really high tides are at Spring and Autumn Equinoxes. The rest of the year tides are more normal.

Mont Saint Michel

This is a shot I took from the car as we drove home after spending a wonderful day on the Mont. The first time we visited many years ago I complained about the crowds (in season) and my husband commented that the Mont had been a pilgrimage site for hundreds of years so the crowds were probably pretty authentic. I'm not sure it helped but at least I stopped complaining!

Since we've retired, we've discovered the crowds are pretty thick out of season also. I just keep telling myself it's an authentic experience. There were people then selling things in tourist (pilgrimage) shops along the streets and people elbow to elbow in the streets. At least when you get inside the church it is relatively calm.

Inside Mont Saint Michel

Far from the madding crowd . . . I caught this young nun in a moment of contemplation inside the beautiful church at the top of Mont Saint Michel. This is what the abbey is all about and why people still go there. Yes, the views are spectacular both coming and going but there is a peace inside the abbey that resists all that tourism throws at it.

They do still hold religious services there and you are always invited.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Stunningly beautiful, both on approach and inside
Cons:Tourist hordes are inescapable even out of season
In a nutshell:If you look for it, there is peace to be found on the Mont.

Intro Updated Oct 31, 2006
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codrutz Apr 24, 2008 at 6:58 AM

Beautiful paiting, you have talent
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ryuhome Nov 2, 2006 at 8:38 PM

You capture the praying nun so well! And what talent with your watercolor!