Mont St-Michel: stay on or off island?

I went and we stayed on the Island for two nights. Do that, it is great becasuse the island is really crowded during the day but in the evening, it emptys out. You want to be on the island and walk aroung and really enjoy it. Make sure you go to the church services early morning, RS France book explains about it. And breing a flash light so you can see the steps leading up to the church. It really is the most unique place I ever visited. There are tons of shops and people. Make sure you get off the main path and wander and walk the ramparts and see the views. Get away from the crowds and see all the walls and we even went onto the beach. There are plenty of places to have dinner on the island.

Have a great time. Bring a jacket, cool up there.

Stay on the island. It is magical at night after the crowds have left.

I think it would be nice to stay on the island. I'm sure it's great in the evening after everyone leaves. If you are close, you can go back anytime too.

For me it was the utility of staying on the island versus what else I could do with the same money; all the other things won. I didn't even eat on MSM. I had wanted an omelette, they looked great, but they were 35 to 50 euro each - as much or more than I spend for food in a day, or lodging most nights. I ended up staying at a hostel overlooking the ocean in Cancale for about 20 euro including breakfast.

You didn't say if you have a car. I don't think there's enough there to do for more than one night, and we didn't even spend the night. It is an attractive place, and if you are going ahead of peak tourism season, maybe the crowds won't be so bad. The lack of air conditioning won't matter in the Spring, either.

Honestly, I'd rate Brugge and Perouges ahead as medieval places to spend a night, although there is equally little to do directly in Perouges. One other post suggests that personal religious interests may be important in such decisions. But MSM does need to be seen. Since you're from Canada, it's interesting that you didn't even mention the Canadian sites along the D-Day Beaches.

Some posters have reported attractive B&B's on the mainland, for which you'd need a car. The shoreside hotel strip (IMMEDIATELY adjacent) is pretty commercial and modern, but at least you don't have to drag your suitcase up a medieval cobblestone HILL. Price matters, and some reports suggest tiny rooms on the island.

I am bemused by these 50 Euro omelettes. We visited one evening and then again the next morning a few years ago in October and ate dinner at the hotel at the top of the island. The food was fine -- not amazing and fabulous but very good and we didn't pay more than 50 Euro for a three course dinner and glass of wine.

Thanks for all the quick replies and input. I do like the idea of staying on the island when it's emptied of tourists; but I did wonder if you can get there easily at night but still stay off-island. Obviously tides matter!
Also, this is just a moment or two of the trip. We will be driving and spending almost 2 weeks in the Normandy and Impressionist regions, maybe over to St-Malo, then 5-6 days in Paris. So, lots of time, but when you start setting up an itinerary, the time sure goes quickly!

I recommend staying on the island to take advantage of the night views and more time to take it all in. I stayed 1 night on a RS tour; it would be great to stay 2 if you can.

Ir is a place like no other

We've stayed on island twice. One night both times, and I was extremely glad we did stay ON island, and one night felt perfect for us.

Tides only matter if you plan to take a walk on the mud flats. The island is always accessible, either on foot or by the electric shuttle busses to the parking lots. This is a fully-developed tourist attraction.

which ice cream is best, chocolate or vanilla? Same kind of question. I stayed off island and enjoyed it. But I understand how someone could have the completely opposite opinion, and that is what's right for them.

Seeing MSM lit up is spectacular, you can't see it when you're on the island. Frequent trams let you go there as much as you want. See http://www.bienvenueaumontsaintmichel.com/en/accessing-the-site/using-the-passeur-shuttle_bus And you can park in right in front of your hotel in their lot. If you stay on MSM you have to park in a portion of the same lot that the day visitors use and take the shuttle with your luggage.

I felt 1 nite was plenty. Do what RS advises; arrive late afternoon when day-trippers are leaving, see it in daylight, have dinner, go back at nite, maybe even again the next morning.

We stayed one night on the Mont and we were so happy we did. It was well work the cost. I loved the feeling of the past when the crowds left. Our room looked out on the water the view was spectacular.

"I did wonder if you can get there easily at night but still stay off-island" :
Yes, it is possible to enjoy Mont St Michel at night even if you do not have a room right on the island (which can be charming for 1 night, I agree, but probably not more):
- You may book a room in a hotel on the mainland, right on the other side of the light bridge leading to MSM, to be able to easily wander.
- Or you may book a B&B or hotel in a neighbouring town (very close like Pontorson, or in the area of St Malo/Cancale/Dol/Combourg if you wish to visit this part of Brittany too), and go to MSM at night (either with your car or with a private guide if you do not drive there).

We stayed off the island for three nights at La Jacotiere and found it to be perfect. It had with a wonderful spot to sit and drink wine with a view of the Mont. We walked to the Mont at night (a must) but the shuttle is just a few minutes from the BB. For around 95E we had a room with our own entrance complete with a little table and chairs along with a great breakfast in the morning. It was a perfect base for exploring the area. We found it in RS France book.