Mont-St-Michel transport

This item appears on page 68 of the April 2012 issue.

Begun in 2005, the project to clear the sand and silt that has built up around Le Mont-Saint-Michel continues, restoring its natural marine landscape, with completion set for 2015. On April 28, 2012, a 4,150-space car park will open with a tourist information center, toilets, a pet kennel and baggage lockers. It will serve as the departure point for transportation to the Mont, as visitors no longer will be allowed to drive themselves to the site.

Six 50-seat maringotes, or horse-drawn shuttles (€4 per adult, one way, or €6.50 round trip), take 15 to 20 minutes to reach the Mont, and the passeur, a 95-passenger coach (free), takes just six minutes. Three trails are available for visitors who wish to walk to the site (45 minutes). Handicapped-accessible shuttles are also available (free).

The car park can be reached via car or train. Parking costs €8.50 ($11.50) per day or €3 for one hour or is free for under a half hour. For info on the project and shuttle departure times, visit www.projetmontsaintmichel.fr.