We are finishing the October 5th BOE 14 day trip in Paris. We are 3 childhood friends celebrating or 70th year and know we probably won’t make it back, this is our trip of our lifetime.. We have scheduled another week to finish a couple extra days in Paris and then to Amsterdam to fly home. But one of us has been to Mont St Michel years ago and think it’s too wonderful to miss. Know we would have to store our luggage and only take a backpack.
Does this sound worth the effort?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
The fastest train journey from Paris to MSM is over 4 hours and requires at least two transfers. Then it’s over 8 hrs by train to Amsterdam, with 4 transfers. IMO, for one night, it’s not worth it.
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
If you really want to do it, I would leave Paris as early as you can, spend the afternoon and the night on Mont Saint Michel, and arrange a car transfer to Rennes Airport which has a daily flight to Amsterdam in late morning. It won't be cheap, but it is more viable than subjecting yourselves to 12+ hours on trains in two days.
Posted by
Chicago
8552 posts
Sometimes the greatest trip moments are crazy plans because 'you always wanted to' see something. On our trip to Annecy this spring we did a last minute sprint to Chamonix. Always wanted to go up the Aquile and the weather was great and while transport was iffy -- blah blah bus had a route. It was wonderful.
Your trip is more arduous -- but MSM is one of those amazing things that one should do once in their life -- and in your 70s will you have the chance again?
I would think about alternatives. Perhaps you can get a bus or cab to Rennes and fly as suggested. At least look for some other options. And maybe it is worth a day on a train from MSM to Amsterdam. But don't give up without looking at all options
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7886 posts
I see you're planning to spend the night, but have a look at this discussion about a same-day runout:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/travel-to-mount-st-michel
Only you three can evaluate whether you want to spend so much boring travel time for what is indeed a special sight. (You also need to consider how mundane are so many of the housing options some people end up with.) Do you know you can't walk or taxi to MSM from the train station? It would help if you had actually listed the full itinerary from the last day of Rick's tour. We can't quite see what the Paris and Amsterdam plans are, or how you're getting to Amsterdam.
It is dumb to suggest there's a substitute for MSM, but a daytrip to Senlis or Chantilly might be nearly as unforgettable. It could be just as much time, but if you're going to Amsterdam by train, maybe a detour to Bruges could provide 80% of the MSM experience (no ocean)?
I am not bad-mouthing Rick's tours, but it looks like there is plenty of bus time in the 14-day trip ... ...
Posted by
24 posts
We stayed one night at MSM in 2015 and loved it. If you do make it there, try to be outside for sunset and the next morning's sunrise: It's magical. As usual, it's best after the day's tourist buses are done and gone. We slept with our windows open, and it was cool to hear the carts rattling up and down the cobbles in the early morning bringing supplies to and fro. I hope you can swing it!
Posted by
Chicago
8552 posts
MSM is singular none of these other options comes close IMHO as seeing MSM across the fields in day or night. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/mont-st-michel-is-that-a-real-place/
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
I would do it, but then I too think its special, for its history and religious significance. But not everyone does. Some are turned off by the crowds and lack of anything else see there, besides the monastery. I would dig up some information, and make sure everyone in the party agrees they want to see it and what its going to take. If some aren't so sure, let them stay an extra night in Paris, and you'll catch up to them.