/ A one day trip from Paris to Mont Saint Michel
In this World there are places with no time and space. These places have a magical aura around them. You can smell it, you can feel it. I have seen a lot of countries in my life but visiting Mont Saint Michel in January was absolutely a mystical experience.
Finding adeguate information to go to Mont Saint Michel from Paris is pretty hard so, here you can read all about my day trip :)
I took a bus from Port Maillot ( map ) early in the morning at 7.30. The company is Flixbus and you need to reserve your seat online here. This company offers you a trip from Paris directly to Mont Sain Michel and return. It's cheap and easy.
After five hours on the bus (yes, 5 hours..) I arrived at the park that is 30 minutes walking distance from Mont Saint Michel. You can also choose a free bus but walking is the best option to admire the area all around. Trust me, it's spectacular!
When I arrived I saw this huge abbey set in this little island. Now a rocky tidal island, the Mont occupied dry land in prehistoric times. As sea levels rose, erosion reshaped the coastal landscape, and several outcrops of granite emerged in the bay, having resisted the wear and tear of the ocean better than the surrounding rocks. These included Lillemer, the Mont-Dol, Tombelaine (the island just to the north), and Mont Tombe, later called Mont Saint-Michel.
The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed "St. Michael in peril of the sea" by medieval pilgrims making their way across the flats, the mount can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid the causeway and attempt the hazardous walk across the sands from the neighbouring coast.
The connection between Mont Saint-Michel and the mainland has changed over the centuries. On 22 July 2014 a new bridge was opened to the public. The light bridge allows the waters to flow freely around the island and improves the efficiency of the now operational dam.
The Abbey is the main attraction. You need two hours to visit it (you can buy the ticket here). The ticket is about 10 euros and it worth it. Audioguide is necessary to understand the history and the value of this building (six euros for two).
The little town around the abbey is lovely but everything is expensive. I suggest to bring lunch with you and eat it in a spot when it's possible to admire the bay.
Check the weather before going there and try to choose a sunny day. It's the best option to visit Mont Saint Michel.
The return trip to Paris is at around 17.30 at the same point.
If you have the chance don't miss this pearl of Normandy.
Church and State, Soul and Body, God and Man, are all one at Mont Saint Michel
