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Have you ever hoped to visit that medieval fortress in France, located on a tidal islet, often completely surrounded by water, that puts all of Walt Disney’s dreamy fairytale creations to shame?
Starting this winter, you can take a direct train from Paris all the way to Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, without any complicated transfers, and without having to change buses along the way, and if you’re wondering how much tickets will cost, that’s about $30 for you!
Here you will find everything you need to know Mont Saint Micheland the magical new journey departing there from the City of Light:
The storybook place that’s almost too good to believe
Mont Saint Michel is an imposing citadel built in the Middle Ages, located 800 meters off the northwestern coast of France, in Normandy, and has the distinction of being one of the best preserved medieval citadels in Europe that is still inhabited. only 29 lucky people call it home.
Dating back more than 1,000 years, it is a national symbol of France, second only to the Eiffel Tower in significance. UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts more than 3 million visitors annually, despite its remote location.
High or low tide, rain or shine, Mont Saint Michel is nothing short of fascinating, with narrow cobbled alleys lined with centuries-old shops and intact half-timbered buildings, as if it were still the 15th century, and not a car in sight.
The picturesque Grande Rue (main street) has iIt’s a fair share of legendary inns and dining options: don’t go without La Sirene‘s cheese-filled galettes, and be sure to stop by Auberge Saint Pierreeven if you don’t stay overnight, for their fish soup.
Other must-sees include the Church of Saint Pierre, a small church located at the bottom of the citadel, dates from the 11th centurythe ramparts and fortifications built to protect the community from attackers and which are walkable, and the beautiful abbey.
Located at the top of the medieval maze, with its easily recognizable pointed spire, Mont Saint Michel Abbey is the main reason why tourists make the pilgrimage here from Paris, thanks to its unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements, and rich history.
Also part of the UNESCO protected area, the tidal bay around Mont Saint Michel is not to be missedespecially if you are a photography enthusiast: from the promenade to the sheep farms and the zigzagging river, there are many beautiful locations to capture.
Oh, and if you’re hoping to maximize your time on the mountain, as there really is so much to see and so little time for most, we highly recommend booking this guided walkwith an optional ticket to the Abbey, from $52.72 per person.
France is really so much more than just Paris!
Say goodbye to complicated travel!
A whole 220 miles northwest of Paris, and some 40 miles from the nearest major city (Rennes), reaching Mont Saint Michel has always felt like a Homeric journey if the French capital is your starting point.
For years, if you’re not driving, which is the case for most tourists, the easiest way to get there from Paris was to take the train to Rennes, in the Brittany region, and then a shuttle from the local bus station to the to assemble.
There is a bridge connecting the mountain to the mainland, and that’s it only rarely under water during high water.
In the unlikely event that the bridge is temporarily flooded, it will usually lower within an hour and passage is permitted again. Be patient!
Formerly the Rennes route can take up to 5 hoursso it’s not like you could do it as a day trip… unless you book one of those Viator tours travel the long distance on a bus, spending more time on the road than at your destination, actually, at a cost of $190.
From December 20, it will no longer be so difficult to reach this icon of French history. nor so expensive.
SNCF, the French national railway company, is relaunching the direct service from Paris to Mont Saint Michel every weekendon Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with tickets from just $27.34.
What can we say? The French love their $30 trains to storybook places as much as they do reblochon cheese, and we love it ourselves!
This still is Not A day out
Now you may be wondering how exactly there can be a train from Paris to Mont Saint Michel if it is located, well, on a tidal island, and you are absolutely right: the train does not reach the mountain, but the nearby municipality Pontorson.
The good news is: from Pontorson, it is a short 10 minute drive to the fortand your $30 ticket includes the shuttle that leaves directly from Pontorson – Mont-Saint-Michel train station.
Not bad, eh, when you consider that the next best option is paying an exorbitant amount for an exhausting bus excursion.
The direct train and shuttle service will take you there a much shorter 3h48 to make it there.
Still not our favorite destination for a day out, but luckily there are plenty of accommodation options in Pontorson, from as cheap as $95 per night.
If you plan to visit Mont Saint Michel as a day trip, the best alternative remains to book a place on an early morning bus tour from Paris.
Train tickets from Paris (Gare Montparnasse) to Mont Saint Michel can be purchased directly from this link.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
