Mont Saint Michel in March 2024, good time to go? how to get there?

The island isn’t that big so two nights should be plenty. Seeing it from all angles might take some effort since the one side is very rocky.

I think 2 nights would be enough, and the best views at night, in my opinion, are of the Mont lit up as you are approaching it on the causeway, after being dropped off by the shuttle. we did walk around a bit at night, enjoying the quiet and the atmosphere, then returned to our B&B. we visited again early the next morning and climbed all the way to the top through the town, then took our time walking back a different route. it was magical! we do have friends who stayed on the Mont overnight and they reported it was much over-rated, kind of a pain with their luggage and not many great options for dining.
if you enjoy lamb, our dinner at LE SILLON DE BRETAGNE, in nearby Tanis was one of the best we've ever had.
reading about directions, parking, the shuttles, etc. can seem daunting, but it all makes way more sense when you are actually there.

I don't think there is a free shuttle from Pontorson but I could be wrong. The free shuttle we encountered was from the parking lot at MSM. People took a bus to get there from Pontorson if not driving. Maybe someone else can chime in on transport but this seems off to me -- but I did it years ago and things change.

I don't see how you get to Geneva by noon. I did a quick search on Trainline.eu. And the earliest train from Pontorson was 8:45 and you would get into Geneva at about 5 pm. This trip involves. Pontorson to Rennes, to Paris Montparnasse, changing across town to Paris Gare de Lyon and then to Geneva. Most long distance trips will involve going through the Paris hub and this one is awkward because your change involves a cross town trip in Paris and Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon are not easy on public transport. and cabs are slow cross town.

I would think one night enough but two nights are definitely enough.

Thanks guys for the tips! And surely we will go for 2 nights as from my wife's request, lol

Yeah if thats the case, we will leave MSM late afternoon as we will arrive Paris late at night and head to Geneva early next morning instead as the day would not be wasted rather than travelling on the train for the whole day

Also, if we live hotel outside the abbey, is it possible that we can wake up before sunrise and then shuttle bus goes to the abbey since i heard it is 24 hours? Or it is on request? Or it operates from a particular hours e.g. 7am to 11pm etc?

Thank you

Western France pairs poorly with Switzerland. Have you transcribed some distances and approximate times from Google Maps? Then you need to use the Swiss or French national rail map for genuine times, transfers, and Euros.

Unless she is painting or sketching, two nights in this distant area is more than enough. For people in normal health, the island is emminently walkable from the onshore chain hotels. A picturesque B&B might require a car.

Look up (Google) climate history for Days of Rain in March, and sunrise/sunset hours.

Link:

https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en/2023/01/25/mont-saint-michel-news-and-practical-information/

Also, if we live hotel outside the abbey, is it possible that we can
wake up before sunrise and then shuttle bus goes to the abbey since i
heard it is 24 hours?

The shuttle between MSM and the parking lot operates from 7:30 am to 8 pm. So it is not 24. hours, whatever you may have heard.

Also, to be picky, MSM is not a castle, it's an abbey

Frankly, one full day and night is all you need. The place isn't that big. If you stay in MSM proper, there is no need to stay at the other hotel near the parking lots. DO NOT STAY 3 nights. I will say walking the Main Street and the walls after the day tourists have left was a nice experience. But that experience can be done in 1-2 hours. But the best experience was going to prayer services at 6:30 am up in the abbey. It's a short morning prayer service, about 30 minutes. There will be more nuns and priests there for the service than tourists. It was a wonderful experience. After the service, you will be escorted out of the abbey. you will have to walk back down the hill to find breakfast and then back up the steep hill and stairs to take the self-guided tour which opens at 9:30 (in march)

Also, the abbey is only open from 9:30 am to 6 pm (in March). and the shops along the Main Street up to the abbey close around 6 pm also. So the only thing you will be doing after 6 pm is walking the walls and the Main Street. And when it gets dark, the streets are not well-lit.