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

Should you visit Nantes 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 Nantes 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a welcoming, friendly, and historical city. 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 nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

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

Nantes and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantes. Although Nantes and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Nantes has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nantes is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Nantes and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also home to The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Nantes 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 Nantes know how to have a good time. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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

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

Nantes is very good for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nantes to see the old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a hiking destination.

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

Nantes is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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

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

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

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Couples visit Nantes frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Nantes is very good for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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

Nantes and Mont-Saint-Michel are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

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

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

How long in Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantes than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nantes, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

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

One day in Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Nantes, 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.

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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful city of Nantes, 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 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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Nantes. 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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Nantes is a popular choice for travelers. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This 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 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 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 Nantes and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Nantes.

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

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

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 3470 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Nantes 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 Nantes 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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Nantes during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nantes for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nantes is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°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 Nantes. In the summer, Nantes often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Mont-Saint-Michel. The autumn months attract visitors to Nantes 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.

Nantes is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nantes usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 79 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 Nantes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nantes is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nantes for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Nantes is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Nantes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Nantes gets 50 mm (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 Nantes