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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

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

Saint-Etienne and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mont-Saint-Michel than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mont-Saint-Michel is better known for its museums, food, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is famous for . Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

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

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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

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

Hiking trails can be found around both Saint-Etienne and Mont-Saint-Michel, and they are notable.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

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.

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

Saint-Etienne is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

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

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

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

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

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the industrial city of Saint-Etienne, 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.

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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint-Etienne is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

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

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 2200 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

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

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

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the museums and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Mont-Saint-Michel. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

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

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

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne