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

Should you visit Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Mont-Saint-Michel

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

Chartres and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mont-Saint-Michel than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mont-Saint-Michel is better known for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is famous for . Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice 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 Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Both Chartres and Mont-Saint-Michel offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Mont-Saint-Michel area. 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 Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Mont-Saint-Michel is mediocre for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

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

Neither Chartres nor Mont-Saint-Michel are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Chartres is not always the best place to visit. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not the most family-friendly destination. 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 Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

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

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

Chartres is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Chartres has some very good public transit options. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

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 Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Chartres and Mont-Saint-Michel are great when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town 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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Chartres. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel than Chartres 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

One day in Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and museums around the destination of Chartres, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

The beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and food around the grand town of Chartres, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mont-Saint-Michel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. 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 popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Chartres 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Chartres.

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

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

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 550 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°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 Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chartres is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Chartres is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Chartres