How I Spent a Weekend at Mont Saint-Michel (Au Pair in France Travel Guide)

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This has been one of my favorite weekend trips because of how absolutely breathtaking this place is. Pictures honestly don’t do it justice. I looked it up online beforehand, but seeing it in person felt surreal.

If you’re ever in France — especially if you’re in Paris or nearby cities — I highly recommend going to see it. You can do it in a day depending on where you’re coming from, but for me it was really easy to get to and not super expensive either.

How I Planned This Trip

When I started planning this trip, the first thing I figured out was how to actually get to Mont Saint-Michel. Since it’s on an island, it looks a little tricky at first.

I’m living in Laval, and Mont Saint-Michel is on the coast, not far from Rennes. After some research, I found out there’s a bus that takes you from Rennes to the town where you can either walk or take a shuttle to Mont Saint-Michel.

👉 Train tickets — Omio link here

The bus has limited time slots — early morning and late morning to go, then late afternoon and early evening to return. Since I had to get to Rennes first anyway, it made the most sense to turn this into an overnight trip.

I booked a train through Omio to Rennes for Saturday evening. Then Sunday morning I took the early bus to Mont Saint-Michel. I booked the early evening bus back to Rennes, then took a train back to Laval.

👉 Bus booking website — official bus site link here

Seeing Mont Saint-Michel itself was basically a day trip, and honestly that’s all you need unless you want to stay overnight on the island (which also looks like a really cool experience).

Where I Stayed

For Rennes, I stayed at a small hotel near the train station and bus pickup area. I booked it through Booking.com, and the hotel was Hôtel Garden.

👉 Hotel booking — Booking.com link here

It was quaint, perfect for one night, and great for solo travel. They also had a really nice breakfast in the morning.

What It Actually Felt Like Arriving

Walking toward Mont Saint-Michel literally took my breath away. I had never seen something so grand and beautiful in person. It honestly looks like a giant castle rising out of the water.

If you can, I highly recommend walking the boardwalk instead of taking the shuttle. It makes the whole experience feel more magical because it just keeps getting bigger and more impressive the closer you get.

I went in November and got lucky with sunny weather, which made it perfect. I’ve heard summers can be very crowded, and it was still a little busy when I went in the off-season — so if you don’t love crowds, definitely plan around that.

Exploring Mont Saint-Michel

Once I arrived, I explored the main street that runs through the island — and when I say little, I mean little. There are shops, restaurants, and as you walk up, you eventually reach the abbey entrance.

You do need to buy a ticket for the abbey, either ahead of time or at the ticket booth. It was around €15 and 100% worth it. The views alone are incredible, and walking through the abbey itself is such a cool experience.

👉 Abbey tickets / guided tours — GetYourGuide link here

After touring, I had lunch at a restaurant along the main street overlooking the water. The tide was out, so it looked more like a beach, but it was still beautiful. I even walked along the sand, and lots of other people were doing the same.

Honestly, aside from eating and maybe grabbing a souvenir, it’s really about exploring the island and taking in the views.

What I’d Do The Same (And Why)

I honestly wouldn’t change anything. Staying overnight in Rennes made the whole trip feel relaxed. I didn’t feel rushed trying to make early transport, and I had plenty of time at Mont Saint-Michel.

I even had time to stop in the town before leaving for a coffee and croissant, which felt like the perfect way to end the trip.

Why This Was My Favorite Weekend Trip So Far

For obvious reasons, Mont Saint-Michel is just spectacular. It was worth every penny, and overall, it really wasn’t that expensive.

It was also my first weekend trip where I spent the night solo in France, and it couldn’t have gone better. I got to explore exactly how I wanted, which is such an underrated part of solo travel.

I plan to continue exploring different pockets of France while I’m living here and sharing my favorite places along the way. There’s so much to see, and weekend trips like this are honestly one of my favorite parts of living abroad.

Resources I Personally Use While Traveling France

• 🚆 Train Booking → Omio

• 🎟️ Tours & Experiences → GetYourGuide

• 🎒 Travel Gear → Carry-on backpack + packing cubes

• 👜 Safety While Traveling → Anti-theft crossbody bag

• 🗣️ Language Learning → Memrise