Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An ambitious project is well under way to return the island to its original form
(the TI located next to the parking lot does a good job of explaining the project).
Workers are replacing the causeway with a super-sleek bridge (allowing water to
flow underneath). The first phase, completed in 2010, saw the construction of a
dam
(barrage)
on the Couesnon River, which traps water at high tide and releases
it at low tide, flushing the bay and forcing sediment out to the sea (the dam also
provides great views of the abbey from its sleek wood benches). In 2011, park-
ing near the island was removed and the mainland parking lot was built. In 2012,
navettes
(shuttles) began taking visitors from the parking lot to the island.
The entire project won't be completed until 2015. As you approach the island,
expect to see cranes and busy workers. For the latest, visit
Daytime Mont St-Michel is a touristy gauntlet—worth a stop, but a short one will
do. Arrive late and depart early. To avoid the tacky souvenir shops and human traffic jam
on the main drag, follow the detour path up or down the mount (described on
here
). The
tourist tide recedes late each afternoon. On nights from autumn through spring, the island
standsserene,itsfloodlitabbeytoweringaboveasleepyvillage.Theabbeyinteriorshould
be open until 23:00 in July and August (Mon-Sat).
The “village” on the mainland side of the causeway (called La Caserne) consists of a
lineup of modern hotels and a handful of shops.
Tourist Information
An excellent TI with helpful English-speaking staff is in the new wood-and-glass building
neartheshuttlestop.Findtheslicktouch-screenmonitorsdescribingthevariousphasesof
the causeway project (daily 9:00-18:00 except until 20:00 July-Aug). Free WCs and pay
baggage lockers are available.
