Essential Info
When to go: Year round, though high summer is incredibly busy.
Getting there: Brittany Ferriessails Portsmouth-St Malo overnight from £172pp return for car plus two passengers; foot passengers from £80 return. From May to October buses run Tuesday-Saturday from St-Malo to Mont St-Michel; buses are less frequent in winter. Shuttlebuses and maringotes (horse carriages) run along the bridge from Mont St-Michel car park (parking costs €12.50 [£9]).
Getting around: Public transport is limited. A car is almost essential for exploring the region; cycling is a good alternative for the energetic.
Where to stay: The beautifully refurbished 18th-century Château de Chantore has views of Mont St-Michel; B&B doubles/suites from €165/€250 (£119/180). Le Clos Saint-Gilles is a half-timbered converted leper colony; B&B doubles €98 (£70). Hôtel La Ramade is in nearby Avranches; doubles from €75 (£54).
Where to eat: Not on the island – it’s all overpriced tourist fare, though for a taste of tradition you could try the (expensive) famous omelettes at La Mère Poulard. La Grange de Tom, on the clifftop at Champeaux, has a lovely terrace looking towards the abbey.
More info:normandy-tourism.org & ot-montsaintmichel.com
Day 1: Tackle the mount
Day 2: Cross the bay
Day 3: Wander further
