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

Should you visit Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a scenic, picturesque, and historical town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a religious, historic, and breathtaking island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Avignon. Although Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Avignon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Avignon is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Avignon and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also home to Palais des Papes.

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

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

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both Mont-Saint-Michel and Avignon.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Mont-Saint-Michel that are not to be missed. 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.

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

Avignon 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.

Avignon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity 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 Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Avignon 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

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

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

Avignon 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 Avignon is revered around the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

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

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

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

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

Avignon offers some nice shopping areas. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

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

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

Avignon is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

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 Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Mont-Saint-Michel is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

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

Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

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

Avignon is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy 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 Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. In our opinion, Avignon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Avignon than Mont-Saint-Michel. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find food and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Avignon is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Avignon 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Avignon is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Mont-Saint-Michel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mont-Saint-Michel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mont-Saint-Michel and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

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

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 1120 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Avignon 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 Avignon 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 Avignon or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Avignon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the summer, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Avignon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Avignon usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the museums and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Avignon usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 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 Avignon