Times of the tides

Mont Saint Michel is always accessible, the causeway is never recovered by the water.



The highest tides in Europe at Mont Saint-Michel :

The Tides are caused by the action of the heavenly bodies, principally the sun and the moon. When they are in line with the earth (in syzygy) the attraction is multiplied, announcing spring tides, this corresponds with the period of highest tides ; on the contrary, if the sun and the moon form a right angle (in quadrature), the attraction is reduced and we are in neap tides, the period of lowest tidal movement.

These phenomena are accentuated in Mont Saint-Michel bay, because with the rock being in the back of the bay, the sea doesn't reach the Mount during neap tides. On the other hand during spring tides, the sea reaches the Mount but only after 4 hours and 30 minutes after the start of the rising tide, about every fortnight. On this tide table, from a high water height of 12.20 metres, the two old and closed car parks at the foot of the Mount are about to be covered, but whatever the height of the water, the sea wall is never submerged, so access on foot or with the shuttle  is always possible.

The highest tides take place 36 to 48 hours after the full and new moons. These indications are a rough guide only and can be affected to acertain extent by atmospheric conditions. The highest tides in continental Europe take place at Mont Saint-Michel, up to 15 metres difference between low and hight water. During top of the spring tides, the sea goes out 15 kilometres from the coast and comes in again very quickly.

Attention !
These times are expressed in legal time (the same as your watch). They should be used without modification.
Even during the highest tides, the sea wall links Mont Saint-Michel to the continent is never submerged.

To observe the phenomenon of the rising tide, you must be present 2 hours before the times indicated on spring tide days.

It is extremely dangerous to venture alone into the bay including immediately close to Mont Saint-Michel.