Mont St. Michele in a day

We visited Mont Saint-Michel one afternoon in 2008 while driving on our way between Lille and St. Malo, then stayed in Bayeux a few nights later, so that's not quite what you asked, but . . . will you be driving, or are you considering public transportation or some other means to get there from Bayeux?

Hello Steve,
If you have rented your own car then the drive from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel is only 1h30 provided you do not hit traffic. If you do not plan to have a car then you may wish to book a day tour or take the shuttle.
(from the France guidebook) By Shuttle Van to Mont St-Michel: The recommended Hôtel Churchill runs a shuttle van to Mont St-Michel for €65 per person round-trip (1.5 hours each way; available to the general public, though hotel clients get a small discount). The van leaves Bayeux at 8:30 and returns by 15:00, allowing travelers three hours at Mont St-Michel. The trip is a terrific deal as you’ll get a free tour of Normandy along the way from your knowledgeable driver. For details, see www.hotel-churchill.fr.
Bonne Chance!

We've been to Mont Saint-Michel many times, and have spent the night there, and the last time we were staying in Bayeux we decided to do a day trip there, by car. But be aware that you will miss the best times of the day to be there... early morning and late evening and night. You'll be there when it's insanely crazy busy packed (depending on time of year which you don't say in your post). As long as you know that, and know you won't experience it at it's best, it's your call. I love Mont Saint-Michel...

In October 2009, I took a day trip to MSM from Bayeaux using the Hotel Churchill shuttle. As I was traveling solo, this was really the most cost effective and efficient way for me to see MSM. While I recognize that there would be more charm seeing this in the evening, I was satisfied with my trip.

It took about an hour and a half on their shuttle. The day I went there were just 3 people. We arrived in MSM about 10am. We were given 3 hours and the driver told us that he preferred walking up "the back way" and coming down the main street. I followed his instructions. When we first arrived, it was not very crowded. By the time I left, it was packed with tour buses. I thought 3 hours was sufficient; I had time to tour MSM with an audioguide and have a bite for lunch before we returned. We were back in Bayeaux around 3pm which gave me enough time to go see the tapestry and the cathedral that afternoon.

One caveat about the Churchill Shuttle ... they don't run it if they don't have a certain minimum. I prebooked and got a confirmation. When I arrived (the evening before ... I stayed at the hotel), they told me the other couple who had booked had just cancelled and they couldn't run the shuttle for just one person. However, when I returned from dinner they told me the couple had changed their mind and would be going so it all worked out.

We stayed at a rural B&B just outside Villers-Bocage, about 12 miles SE of Bayeux. We arose early and drove to MSM, using the motorway, arriving well before the tour buses. We practically had it to ourselves, toured at a leisurely pace and departed about the time the hordes descended. We then easily drove around the bay to Cancale, in Brittany actually, for a great seafood lunch on the quay with MSM visible on the horizon. We then drifted back to Bayeux on the back roads, stopping along the way for locally produced Calvados, cheeses, bread, pate, and shopping in the small towns. It was a delightful day trip if you go early enough to beat the crowds at MSM.

My husband and I just did a day trip from Bayeaux to Mont St Michele a month ago with no problems. We had rented a car, so we didn't use a shuttle service. No problems with driving to Mont St Michele or back. I'm glad we did it this way instead of a shuttle, as we spent around 4 hours there and wasn't rushed. If you can, I'd recommend driving there. Although we didn't get to see it at dawn or dusk it was worth the trip.

What a wonderful community you all are. Thanks for the feedback. It helps greatly. I think we're going to try and take the shuttle.

We did it as a shorter day-trip (from Dinard), so we had time for a public garden or two the same day. It really depends on how many monasteries, medieval town centers, and ruined abbeys you've seen in your life. Mont St. Michel does have a magical setting, but without knowing the weather, room view, luggage hike, food quality, things (elsewhere) missed in exchange for the MSM time, etc. I don't agree that spending the night is important. As you've read, not everyone agrees with that.

I feel confident that the new parking situation has improved the view from just across the causeway. The other issue could be where the tide is during your short visit, and whether you care about that. We had no interest in walking on the mud flats. At least in New England you can pick up a few clams on the way ...

Thanks, Tim.

We did MSM in a day in September from Dinan. Got to MSM at a at a reasonable hour in the morning. We walked up following the Grand Rue and came back down along the ramparts. It worked quite well in that we missed the mob scene that comes later in the day. Actually only takes a few ours. The thought of spending the night is appealing in that it must be really nice after the day trippers are gone but we only had so much time and I really don't like doing one night stays especially where it isn't easy to get to. Besides that was the night wee found Chez Bongrain for dinner. Next time we are in Dinan, I plan on going back just to see MSM lit up at night, if only from a distance.

we stayed in Bayeux for 4 nights last august. we joined the shuttle tour from hotel Churchill with 3 other couples. I was disappointed that the driver hardly spoke about Normandy nor MSM. we arrived 10am at the bus parking area next to a restaurant close to MSM and were told to be back at the parking area by 1pm. we took a public shuttle bus from here to the foot of MSM from where we walked about 20 minutes to the entrance. there were already a lot of people. just as a heads-up, we climbed up about 300 to 400 steps to get to the abbey, passing by a medieval village that had stores and restaurants, a church, etc. we were huffing and puffing by the time we got to the abbey. we were rewarded with beautiful views, an invigorating breeze, medieval architecture, etc.

all in all, we may have spent about 2 hrs in the abbey. as a first-timer, I would say that a day-trip is good enough. next time, I would probably stay in the area.

but to end my story, 3 couples got back to the bus parking area on time. the fourth couple was nowhere to be found. we were imagining that they may have twisted their ankle in the cobblestone walks in the abbey or they suffered some breathing problems with the steps (someone said they heard an ambulance siren). it was funny in a way and we 3 women were in the van getting to know each other. the 3 men were waiting in the corner looking out for the missing couple. the driver didn't want to leave without the other couple. after an hour of waiting, one of the men thought of going in the restaurant and on the side garden to look for them, just in case. well, there they were sitting, thinking that we were all not back yet, etc. they were so apologetic when they boarded the van.