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

Should you visit Cannes 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 Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cannes

Cannes is a glitzy, opulent , and luxury resort city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a breathtaking, inspiring, and iconic island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cannes. Although Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Cannes has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cannes is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Cannes is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Mont-Saint-Michel is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes 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.

Cannes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Cannes know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

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

Is Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Music?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Cannes The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Cannes is a perfect choice. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a great destination for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Cannes is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

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

Cannes is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Cannes. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Cannes is not a hiking destination.

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

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

The abundance of shops in Cannes make it a world-class shopping destination. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

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

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

Cannes 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 Cannes. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around 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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

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

For those traveling as a couple, Cannes has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Mont-Saint-Michel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

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

Both Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel offer good public transit options.

Cannes has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

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

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

Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel both are very good when exploring on foot.

Cannes is a very walkable destination. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

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

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

How long in Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Cannes, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and nightlife around the luxury resort city of Cannes, there's plenty to do. 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.

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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the glitzy destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Cannes is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This resort city 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 inspiring 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 Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cannes 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 Cannes Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

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

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 880 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Cannes 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 Cannes 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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Mont-Saint-Michel. The summer months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In July, Cannes is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Cannes gets 16 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 Cannes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Cannes is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cannes is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cannes in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Cannes during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty during these months.

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

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 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 Cannes