Highlights | - Traveling by high-speed train rather than bus, we dramatically reduce travel time, getting you more time in Mont Saint Michel than any comparable tour (5.5 hours instead of 4 hours). - Our day trip includes an exclusive low-tide walk out into the bay of Mont Saint Michel to (literally) get your toes wet. Access is only available to those led by a local naturalist guide. - Your tour includes access to Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. Your guide will give you a detailed intro before you enter, then an audio guide to enrich your (unhurried!) independent visit. - A rarity: You’ll enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of Mont Saint-Michel village, then have a full hour of free time to enjoy a sit-down lunch or shop for souvenirs. - With an expert guide to accompany you throughout the day, your experience will be relaxed and hassle-free, with no stress about missing trains or finding your way around Mont Saint-Michel. |
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Summary | There are few places in the world more spellbinding than the monastery and island commune of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. The dramatic granite mount in the middle of a monumental bay has been inhabited since at least the 8th century and its strategic fortifications have witnessed wars, sieges, and conquerings by more than a few extinct dynasties. |
Description | On this luxury day trip you’re going to explore the history of this much-coveted rock; from the heights of the monastery to the marshes of the floodplain that surround it. And with transport by high-speed train, you’ll spend more time in the Mont than you would on any other day trip from Paris. There is truly no more complete tour on the market. Your day starts in Montparnasse train station in Central Paris. Here you’ll meet your expert guide and group of max 18 fellow travelers, and hop on the first high-speed train out of the city. Doing 200 mph, it will take you only 1.5 hours to get to Rennes, plus an extra hour and twenty minutes on a private minibus. Most tours from Paris go by bus, which takes an arduous 5.5 hours each way (more in bad traffic). That means most visitors only get 4 hours in Mont Saint-Michel, while you’ll enjoy a full 7 hours. The order of this tour depends heavily on the tides coming into and out of the bay. Most visitors never explore the sand here, but you will. Led by a specially-trained naturalist guide, you’ll kick off your shoes and walk out onto the tidal flat to discuss the unique nature and environment surrounding Mont Saint-Michel and even see a bit of the dreaded quicksand that used to trap pilgrims trying to cross the bay. Don’t worry, your guide won’t let you get stuck, but they will show you how to get out of it. This is also where you will get the most stunning views of the village and monastery, so make sure to bring a camera. Back in the village, you’ll enjoy a two-hour tour of the Medieval city streets and fortified walls in which your guide will give you the colorful history of this tiny, but strategically-important community. From Irish monks and Bretton bishops to English Barons, French kings, and countless religious pilgrims; seemingly everyone in Western Europe has, at some time or another, wanted a piece of this little rock. Once you head inside the monastery, you’ll understand why. After a break for lunch (with plenty of recommendations from your guide, for where you can enjoy the local specialty omelets) you’ll head inside the Abbey to soak in the Gothic architecture and its history. Your guide isn’t able to follow you in but they will brief you on the building’s history and what to keep an eye out for before you go inside with your audio guide. Because it was used as a prison after the French Revolution, you can see stark reminders of human captivity like a human-sized “hamster wheel” that was operated by prisoners to haul goods up the hill. Afterwards, you might just want to conquer the village yourself. At the end of the tour, hop back on the bus, then train, for the journey back to Paris. |
Commentary | English: Audio English: Guide |
Included | High-speed trains and private minibus transfer to and from Mont Saint-Michel Private minibus transport Skip the line ticket to Abbey with audio guide |
Excluded | Lunch Gratuities Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off |
Know before you book | Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate guests with mobility impairments, wheelchairs or strollers on this tour. |
Know before you go | Please note that the tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure. Comfortable walking shoes recommended and warm jackets for strong cold winds in the bay. Please note, the order of sites visited will depend on the tides. In cases of unusually high tides, a tour of the bay will not be possible. The tour of the bay will be done barefoot; it is recommended, therefore, that you bring a small towel and a bag or backpack in which to put your shoes during that section of the tour. A jacket is highly recommended, even in the summer. While exploring the bay, guests will,at times be wading through sand, clay, and water, that reaches their ankles. Please ensure that all members of your party have a valid ID on them on the day of the visit. This is particularly important for guests who have qualified for child reduction. |
Additional Information |
Gratuities to guides are appreciated but never obligatory. Required to bring: Valid ID
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Health Items |
Product Start Date | 2020-04-01 |
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Product End Date | 2020-10-31 |
Booking Cut-off | 24 hours |
Minimum | 1 guests per booking |
Maximum | 18 guests per booking |
Valid | Only on date on reservation |
From | To | Notes |
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April 01, 2020 | October 31, 2021 | 6:30 AM -Departure - Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri (except: 15 Aug 2021) |
June 27, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | 6:30 AM Departure - Not running |
Type: | Starts location |
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Lat & Long: | 48.8409017, 2.3196361 |
Address: | Le Paris Montparnasse Cafe, 43 Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Directions: | https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Le+Paris+Montparnasse/@48.8409017,2.3196361,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x47e671cb435fb9a7:0x6c5836ce0224a6ac!8m2!3d48.8409017!4d2.3218248?hl=en&authuser=0 |
Notes: | Arriving by Metro: "Gaîté" station on line 13. Take "Sortie" (exit) #4 "rue Vandamme", which leaves you on the Avenue du Maine. Walk down to number 43. The Montparnasse area can be confusing, please give yourself extra time to reach the meeting point. |
End Location Address | Gare Montparnasse, Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Start Location Notes | Le Paris Montparnasse Cafe, 43 Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Type: | Ends location |
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Lat & Long: | 48.8409017, 2.3196361 |
Address: | Gare Montparnasse, Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Notes: | |
End Location Address | Gare Montparnasse, Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Start Location Notes | Le Paris Montparnasse Cafe, 43 Avenue du Maine, Paris, 75014, FR |
Cancellation Policy: | standard |
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Cancellation Cut-off: | 72 hours |
Cancellation Notes: | Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure. |
2020 PRICING | RETAIL PRICE | NET RATE | ||
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Adult | 15-99 years | €205.00 | Available on request | |
Child | 2-14 years | €195.00 | Available on request | |
Infant | 0-1 years | €0.00 | Available on request |
Option Name | 2020 Pricing |
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Option Description | 2020 Pricing |
Terms and Conditions | Before you travel, please read our important notes about possible disruptions & site entrance requirements. |
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Voucher Info | Mobile tickets will be accepted |
Confirmation necessary? | No |
Redemption | Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption |