car in Mont Saint Michel?

There is a ginormous parking lot at MSM with a shuttle from the parking lot to the Mont. Here are some snapshots.

https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/mont-st-michel-is-that-a-real-place/
The shuttle system has changed since we were there, but the parking lots are huge. I would not leave bags in cars but would take them with you to your hotel on the Mont. We did leave luggage in our car when just visiting for the morning. We had gone one evening and then again the next morning after checking out of a place on the mainland.

I would drive to the Loire but didn't make that precise trip and so can't advise. I would also spend a few days in Normandy and Brittany rather than going to another area of France -- there is so much amazing stuff in this part of the country.

As noted, parking at MSM is new and institutional, the only problems would be hiking distances and having the right credit card (or cash denominations) for the payment machines. You can walk all the way to the island if you want to. It's not 100% clear to me if the shuttle goes to the far side of the parking lot. I think they want you make you walk past the 1/4 mile of retail and onshore hotels.

We drove from the Loire to MSM, it was just fine, modern roads, some limited-access I think. The MSM area is a "strip" like approaching Disneyland. GPS recommended, see many posts here on Europe GPS recommendations. If you already have the car, I would drive to the Loire, there are plenty of things to see on the way, you could even spend the night if you have extra times - like Fontevraud Abbey, for example, or Troglodyte caves. Perhaps the issue is if you are ONLY going to the eastern Loire.

Personally, I would not drive directly from Paris to MSM. It's too far, and you'll be skipping too much (like Giverney, the Normandy coast, Bayeux, some medieval towns, and more. Our choice was to TGV from Paris to St. Pierre des Corps, rent the car there, and loop up to MSM and then Normandy, after the Loire. Opinion.

I would drive between MSM and Amboise. It's not far and to really enjoy the Loire Valley, it's easier to get around in a car. If you have booked a hotel at night on the island, there is a special parking lot at MSM--your hotel will get you a code to get into it. The shuttle bus stop is close to this lot, so you won't be lugging your bags a great distance. There are lockers near the bus stop and tourist office if you want to store some of your luggage there instead of taking all of it to the island. So relax and enjoy your trip.

We have driven from MSM to Paris several times. Google shows it a 4 hour drive. I remember it being longer, maybe 5 hours, but that's probably because city driving is slow, so you're in Paris but not to your exact destination yet. One time, we made a side trip to Rouen before driving into Paris and that's hardly on the way, so MSM to Paris is very do-able.
If you're spending the night on MSM, the "on-island" parking lot is close to where the tram departs. I agree with janettravels. It's never a good idea to leave luggage in an unattended car overnight, but we've done it in the "on-island" parking lot more than once and never had a problem. We've always left the luggage in the trunk so it's not visible to a passerby.
You may already know this, but in case you don't, be prepared for a fairly long walk from where the tram stops to your hotel on the island - and the last part is uphill on an uneven (cobblestone?) pedestrian street. I think it's well worth the trouble just to stay on the island overnight but it might detract from your enjoyment if you were expecting a short, smooth, flat walk.
You don't say where you're going along the Loire, but Google says it's about 4 hours from Chenonceau to MSM. We've driven that more than once and there's nothing difficult about it.
I'd be glad to answer more specific questions if you have them.

Last June I have done the trip between Le Mont-Saint-Michel and Angers, it is no more difficult as driving somewhere else in France having the right maps or GPS. Fougères and Vitré, two lovely historic places are worth a visit, the first one with it’s huge medieval castle I liked most. Also worth a visit and much overlooked is the historic centre of Le Mans, you will drive along if your destination is Amboise. Ofcourse Le Mans can be of interest too if you want to see the race car museum near the entrance of that famous 24hours race track.

When I got there my GPS wanted to take me into the exit of the parking lot, so had to actually figure it out - not hard. I walked in because I wasn't that far from the island. I took the bus on the way out, since it was right there. As I recall there was a stop for regular passengers and another stop for employees first - to make sure they got seats before the bus filled up.

I didn't drive straight to Loire valley, I went through Brittany first. I drove from Brittany (Vannes) to Fountevraud Abbey then Chinon. The driving wasn't difficult at all.

We've driven between Mont Saint Michel and the Loire. It was enjoyable and very easy. We've driven to the Mont twice. The first time we returned our car in Paris. We didn't make that mistake the second time:)

Thanks for all of your responses. Another question about MSM: if you're staying overnight, is it best to stay on the island/mont or somewhere else? We'll be arriving at MSM from Rennes by car. Thanks.

I recommend spending the night. All of the day trippers leave and it's magical.

Not only is the evening magical (after most of the day-trippers leave) but so is the morning (before huge flocks arrive). You'll hear a variety of opinions about this subject (look up previous posts asking the same question) but we are firmly in the camp that values staying on the island. There is a certain kind of magic about it.

Stay the night. You pretty much get the whole island to yourself.

Stay on the island. You will have all evening after the masses leave and all morning the next day to enjoy the island before the masses arrive. It is a completely different feel to the place once the crowds dissipate.

I was there a couple years ago during a record high tide. The cars parked on the island around the end of the causeway all floated away with the tide. Don't worry, that's not where you are going to park! ;-)

Thanks so much for all of your helpful responses. A few more questions about MSM:

We're picking up a rental car at the Rennes train station by 11:30 and staying at Auberge St Prere on MSM.

1. Is there a better way to leave luggage other than in the car overnight?
2. Do you have recommendations for times to see MSM, i.e. walk outside ramparts; when is it crowded?
3. Should we have breakfast at Auberge, or lunch & dinner? Or somewhere else?

After we leave MSM, we're driving to the Loire, where we're staying in St Georges sur Cher.

1. When is the best time to leave MSM?
2. Is there anything worth stopping at on the way from MSM to St Georges sur Cher, i.e. eating, sights?

You've all been so helpful, I'd appreciate any answers to the above questions. Thanks.

You may be overestimating the size of MSM. An able-bodied person can walk every public area in 2-3 hours, despite the steep slopes. That's one of the many reasons I don't believe it's necessary to spend the night. You are going to enjoy the atmosphere and solitude after the bus tours leave. But you're also going to use up a day and a night of your vacation. That's a personal choice. Not counting the auto-access highway strip (with such attractions as an alligator farm ... ) it's an isolated location. I'm saying all this not to spoil your visit, but because you asked "when" to "see" MSM. You are going to have 24 hours to do nothing but MSM. Don't overplan it.

Rick's books, and people on this website NEVER recommend leaving luggage in your car. If you have a steel trunk that completely hides any sight of your bags, you could take a chance .... but relatively few people rent such a large car ... besides the expense, it is a handicap in many cities with tiny streets and arched gates, and tiny parking stalls in the most modern indoor garages. (No space problems at the MSM lot, everything is huge and wide open.)

On the way out, Fougeres and Vitre (accents omitted) are attractive. But there is less reason to visit Vitre if you have just spent the night at MSM. Likewise Dinan, which is too close to MSM for a mid-drive stop. If your trip is in plant season, the gardens at Château de la Bourdaisière are attractive, but you'll almost be to your destination. If Azay le Rideau is not on your schedule, you could also stop there on the way.

Thank you for your further response.

As far as timing on the Mont and when to leave you should check out the tide times during your visit -

http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en/horaire-marees/mont-saint-michel.htm

My husband and I spent one night on Mont St Michel. We prioritized staying on the island that night and were so glad we did. We parked in a lot designated for those staying on the island overnight. We locked our rental car and all was safe there. We walked on to the island around 4 pm when most of the daily tourists were leaving. We loved touring the church and were able to get in our hotel after that. We stayed at:
Hotel La Croix Blanche
Grande Rue
50170 LE MONT ST MICHEL - FRANCE
Phone : +33 (0)2.33.60.14.04
We had a great room.....on the 4th floor and a good climb but still a fabulous view at night. I will tell you that we faithfully called DAILY for at least a month until we were finally able to get them to open their books on our dates and give us a room. We did notice that a large Rick Steves tour group had reserved a big block of rooms and so we were happy to have gotten a room. We booked our room in November for a night the following May 29. We were persistent!
We drove from MSM to the Loire Valley and stayed in Amboise at
Le Manior les Minimes
34 Quai Charles Guinot
Tel. 02 47 30 40 40
It was WONDERFUL. We found the drive to Amboise from MSM to be fine....just do a little brush-up on your toll booth knowledge and have change handy. Get gas whenever you can as it is easy to get away from the main roads and find you need some! The car afforded us the pleasure of driving to each castle in the Loire Valley and taking our time as we did. I would strongly encourage you to see Villandry, the gardens in the Loire Valley......they were a site to see!
Have great trip!