History. A Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century on a granite island in a bay with some of the largest tides in Europe. It grew into the Gothic "Merveille" and later served as a prison. The Mont and its bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 (UNESCO).
Legend. In 708 the Archangel appeared three times to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, asking for a sanctuary on the rock. When Aubert hesitated, Michael pressed a finger into his skull. A skull with a hole, said to be Aubert's, is kept at the Basilica of Saint-Gervais in Avranches.
Visiting (2026)
- Abbey tickets: €16 (1 Apr–30 Sep), €13 (1 Oct–31 Mar). Open 9:00–19:00 May–Aug, 9:30–18:00 Sep–Apr. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec (official info).
- Park in the paid mainland car parks and take the free Le Passeur shuttle, or walk about 45 minutes (access & hours).
- Never cross the bay sands without a licensed guide. The tide comes in fast and there is quicksand.
Next: Sacra di San Michele
Train via Rennes → Paris → TGV/Frecciarossa to Turin (~10–11 h total ⚠), then a regional train to Sant'Ambrogio di Torino.
Sources
Last verified: October 15, 2026. Prices, hours and rules change: confirm with the official source before you go.