MSM was a MUST for our short trip to Normandy until I found out that the neat tide changes wont be happening when we are there. So it's lost a bit of the magic. I would still like to see it. I understand that the best time to see it is at night when all the tour buses are gone, but is it actually necessary to spend the night there in order to do that? Or do people just do that because they don't like to drive at night? Was thinking of visiting it "after hours" and then leaving after a late dinner to drive back somewhere else. Is this possible or do they like lock the gates or raise the drawbridge or something?

Carrie

Carrie

First off, there are other places to see dramatic tidal changes and tidal bores(including in North America) if you're really fascinated by tides. So, not to despair - you might have another chance.

Friends of ours did as you plan to do - they stayed off the island (albeit not that far away) and visited it in the evening. Note that the abbey itself will be closed after a certain hour (varies by season) but the restaurants, etc. stay open later. Bon voyage.

Does anyone know of a website giving information on when the tidal bores occur at MSM? I googled but couldn't find any.

We visited Mon-St-Michel, arrived around 1:00pm and visited in the daytime, hiked to the top of the abbey (worth it for the views). We then stayed at a hotel (Relais Saint Michel) just at the end of the causeway. Hotel was fine, but our room had a balcony that completely overlooked Mont St. Michel, spectacular in the daytime, but best in the evening. In addition, first thing in the morning the abbey was partially covered in fog, which allowed fabulous pictures. For the finishing touch, right before we left for Paris about 100 sheep crossed the road! I wouldn't have missed it.

We visited MSM at night as well, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay there--most everything closed early. Also, this is one location you want to be able to see from "afar" rather than staying "in" it. Have a great time.

The main highlight of our overnight stay was a sound and light show inside the monastery at the top. It was quite inspring and wonderful -- as I recall it was at 11 or so at night. It is true there isn't anything to do there otherwise at night, but with a wonderful leisurely dinner with a magnificent view, then our climb to the top for about an hour's journey through the sound and light show, that took care of the evening. Morning was particularly beautiful when we threw open our shutters and saw the sunrise coming up and the light and shadows on the rooftops of Mont St. Michel.

The tides were low when we were there too,and the Mount never became an island, but rather sat in a huge mud flat. I was diappointed at first, but it really didn't take away from the magic of the place.

I'll repeat the idea that many people who went to Mont St. Michel as a day trip only seem to return to say they hated it as it was nothing special and it was jammed with day trippers. Well, DUH, yes!

Last October my DH and I made a last minute decision to go onto MSM (driving from Normandy into Brittany at the time). We totally enjoyed it! We decided to spend the night on the Mount and, though the only room available was small and simple, it was located somewhat up the hill with a wonderful view of the lower part of the Mount. However, I agree you'd be better off to spend the night off the causeway with a good view of MSM at night--being ON it, of course, keeps you from seeing it

Panecott: Tidal information can be found at http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/horaires_gb.htm

Select the month from the pull down box and it shows times and height of the high tides.

Thanks for your input. I'm thinking we'd be better off staying somewhere with a view of the Mont. Besides the Relais St Michel, any other recommendations?

Thanks, LSUvetgirl. Enjoy your visit to Normandy.