A Travel Price Comparison for France Aix-en-Provence vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a laid-back, relaxing, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aix-en-Provence. Although Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Aix-en-Provence has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aix-en-Provence is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. It is also home to .

How is Aix-en-Provence different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel and Aix-en-Provence. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Mont-Saint-Michel on the map. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Aix-en-Provence has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Aix-en-Provence is a town with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Aix-en-Provence is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel as a family destination.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Aix-en-Provence is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is very popular with students. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

Mont-Saint-Michel is very walkable. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Aix-en-Provence?

How long in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Aix-en-Provence than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Aix-en-Provence, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

Couples should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mont-Saint-Michel that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Mont-Saint-Michel if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and shopping around the destination of Aix-en-Provence, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

The iconic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel offers food and museums. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the relaxing town of Aix-en-Provence, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

The island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the historic destination of Aix-en-Provence. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This island offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 1840 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Aix-en-Provence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aix-en-Provence is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 24°C (75°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Aix-en-Provence gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Aix-en-Provence during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Aix-en-Provence is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aix-en-Provence averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. In the autumn, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Aix-en-Provence usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aix-en-Provence and Mont-Saint-Michel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Aix-en-Provence is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aix-en-Provence in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Aix-en-Provence usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Aix-en-Provence gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aix-en-Provence usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aix-en-Provence or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Aix-en-Provence as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Aix-en-Provence is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Aix-en-Provence average around 13°C (56°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. In the spring, Aix-en-Provence often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Aix-en-Provence usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Aix-en-Provence gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Aix-en-Provence