Full Day Tour to Mont Saint Michel

Overview

You will be met at the cruise port by your Venture Ashore representative and board your transportation, ready for your full day tour.

Settle in, as you take you in the beautiful drive across the Normandy countryside to the island of Mont Saint Michel, the drive is around 3 to 3.5-hours.

To enter the fortified city you’ll pass through the Boulevard gate, then the King’s Gate to reach the Grand Rue - the main street of the village of Mont Saint Michel.
This main artery is entrenched between two tall rows of houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Making a right turn just after going through the King’s Gate you’ll climb to the ramparts which turn around the mount.
Continue straight ahead, and you’ll pass by the St Pierre parish church, dedicated to the patron saint of fishermen.

The island was built for defense purposes and takes its name from the seat of the monastery since the 8th Century AD.
The incoming tide made it a good use of defense, and on low tide it was easily accessible for pilgrims visiting the abbey.
During the 15th Century it was turned into a prison, with the abbey being used as a jail. The prison was closed in the 1860s and the Mont was declared a historic monument and added to the UNESCO World heritage list in the 1970s. Nowadays visitors can take regular shuttle transport to and from the island via the causeway bridge.

Upon entering the Abbey, you’ll effectively ascend through time as you wander along the cloister, getting a feel for the monastic life by continuing through the refectory and the visitor’s hall. The tour takes you through several other rooms before leading to the north-south staircase which is the main pathway through the heart of the Abbey and which leads to the walking room. You’ll cross through the Knight’s hall and end up in the chaplaincy.

After your visit to the Abbey, and the church, you can walk along the ramparts (walls) which has beautiful views of the bay, the rich history and beautiful architecture, and the abbey gardens.  There will be time for exploring and purchasing souvenirs if you wish, before returning to Le Havre port.

Sample Itinerary (approximate timings):

Drive from Le Havre cruise port to Mont Saint Michel, with 1 restroom stop – 3 hours
Arrive at the island, shuttle transfer to Mont Saint Michel – 30 minutes
Visit the defensive walls and gardens – 45 minutes
Visit the Abbey and surroundings – 1 hour 45 minutes
One hour of free time to explore
Transfer by shuttle from the island
Return drive to Le Havre cruise port, with 1 restroom stop – 3 hours

You will be able to purchase tickets on the day to the Abbey at the entrance - this is an additional cost of around 17 Euro per guest.