La Mère Poulard

My spouse and I dined at La Mere Poulard for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon in late August 2017. Our French-speaking guide telephoned the restaurant on the day prior to our visit in order to reserve a table, but she was told that the restaurant does not accept reservations. Although we did not have a booking, we waited only a short time for a table; however, we initially requested a table for three people so that we could eat with our guide, but the restaurant was only able to offer us a table for two people. (Actually, our smaller group was preferable to us, because the cost to dine at La Mere Poulard for lunch costs nearly 50 Euros per person, which we felt was a bit extravagant to spend not only on ourselves, but also for our guide.) La Mere Poulard is a restaurant and hotel located on Mont Saint-Michel. (Its current owners also operate other hotels and restaurants on the Mont [including Relais Saint-Michel, Le Saint-Aubert, Le Mouton Blanc, La Digue, Les Terrasses, and La Confiance], some take-out cafes, several gift shops, and a few museums.) The restaurant first opened in 1879 (although back then it was called Hostellerie de la Tete d'Or), and it has hosted many diners since that time. (Famous visitor photos and autographs cover the walls, including writers Ernest Hemingway and Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe, fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, King Edward VII, Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher.) The first owner, Annette Poulard/Boutiaut, was nicknamed “Mother” (or “La Mere”, in French, hence the restaurant name), and is knows as an ambassador of French gastronomy. La Mere Poulard serves French cuisine, but its specialty is its unique giant fluffy omelets, which are several inches thick, mixed in hand-hammered copper bowls, and cooked over an open wood fire. The omelets resemble a frothy soufflé more than a traditional omelet. We both ordered the three-course prix-fixe lunch for 38 Euros per person; even though we did not need three courses, the price for just the omelet was the same 39 Euros, so the fixed menu was a better value. As our starters, we chose the vegetable soup and the pate, followed by two omelets, one with camembert and the other with bacon, each accompanied by fried potatoes. As our desserts, we ordered the tarte tatin and the crème caramel. Our lunch bill totaled 100 Euros, including food and two rounds of drinks (beer and soda). We enjoyed our lunch at La Mere Poulard – its distinct omelets are something we will never forget!

Very typical spot, close to the walls of Saint Michel. The Hotel, wich is beautifuly decorated, still have the atmosphere of the old time. You must book a table for the finest dinner in the island. A must see

nice quite room overlooking the bay. helpful staff. clean room with ample space and full size tub and shower. perfect spot as it's right inside the gates of the island community. highly suggest staying on island - it has a whole different feel after the gobs of tourists leave for the night.

It is magical to spend the night on Mont-Saint-Michel and worth the high price you pay. La Mere Poulard is the best place to stay -- they just might own all of the few places to stay on the island. The rooms are nice and clean. We had dinner in the downstairs restaurant which was good on balance. The omelets, however, are excellent -- light and foamy with the "filling" on the outside. They are famous for their omelets and justifiably so. The rest of the meal was OK. We also had breakfast there the next morning, and it was marginally OK. The staff is another issue -- the dining room staff were brusque and not terribly helpful. When we arrived, the gentleman at the desk was fine, but you carried our own luggage up to your room -- up winding stairs to either the 3rd or 4th floors. The front desk supposedly opened at 8 am, but didn't so we had to go up to another Poulard hotel to pay the bill. In the driving rain, we could have done without that. The staff and service needs improving, the omelets are delicious while the rest of the food is passable. The location cannot be beat.

I gave that rate for 2 reasons only Location and that the room is clean enough. The rest is below standard. Its a 3 star hotel max.(noisy room , old furniture...) Overall ok because if the site. Its decent for a night but not more.

The hotel has few rooms but very well equipped and clean. Unfortunately we left early and couldn't have breakfast. But our room had two beautiful views and warm furniture and linings. We chose it because it was easy to access with baggages and a good starting point for walking and exploring. When you reserve a high floor consider that usually hotels in Mont Saint Michel do not have lifts!

It is not in inexpensive omelette and after reading reviews I expected to be disappointed as many said it is overpriced. I did not think the prices were unfair. You are in a very remote location where everything has to be transported in. It is a fine dining type of establishment so priced accordingly. We had the 3 course meal with the famous omelette. I do not like eggs very much and LOVED the omelette. It is very special. It was fun watching the process of making it too.

Yes once your on the Mont you are captive and must pay the price. This Poulard mob operated apart from this Hotel , other rooms and half the other Restaurants & Cafes on the Island ! We stayed in the rear hotel and while large & old, it was very comfortable for our 2 night stay. The restaurant was also very good , not cheap (9E) for a bottle of water ! But we took the Dinner & Breakfast package as we thought why fight it ? The Omelette was up to speck and tasty and it was a great experience all round ! As the Title says 'Location" is everything and with the Monastery right above you it was pretty special. Well worth splashing out for a once in a lifetime experience, do yourself a favour and stay on the Mont !! And Eat ? Also Staff Member Lucille was Excellent !

The rooms are small, old and outdated. You have to lug your luggage up narrow, winding stairs. But you're staying at the Mont and can explore it without all the hoards of tourists that are there during the day. We got fantastic pictures of the Mont all lit up at night, took a late night stroll up the Mont after dinner and had the famous dessert omelet, flames and all! We got to explore the Mont, including touring the abbey/cathedral, in the morning before all the day tourists arrived. The most attractive part of La Mere Poulard is its location!