A Travel Price Comparison for France Annecy vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Hiking

Should you visit Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a breathtaking, inspiring, and iconic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums. Annecy is well known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Mont-Saint-Michel is well known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

How is Annecy 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 Annecy. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Mont-Saint-Michel are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Annecy 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.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

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 Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Annecy is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Annecy has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

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

Is Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Annecy is revered around the world. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Annecy is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Annecy offers some nice shopping areas. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

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

Is Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Annecy is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly alpine town. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

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 Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Both Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel are fantastic destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

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.

Is Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel are notable places to visit.

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

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

Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel are very good when it comes to walkability.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Annecy?

How long in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Annecy 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 Annecy, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Mont-Saint-Michel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy 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 Annecy.

One day in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This alpine 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the iconic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Annecy 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 Annecy Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Annecy has a larger population, and is about 620 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Annecy 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 Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Annecy is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In the summer, Annecy often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Annecy is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Annecy in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Annecy usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Annecy usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Annecy during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. In January, Annecy is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 4°C (39°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty during these months.

Annecy is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Annecy usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Annecy usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Annecy