I would appreciate advise on staying overnight at Mount Saint Michel and tours of D-day beaches, cemetery and Ste-Mere Eglise. I will be in France early late April and early June.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8076 posts
Because June 6 is a D-Day anniversary, it is among the most crowded time periods in a crowded area. Unlike Paris, a car can be helpful here, although in summer, you have to prowl the parking lots each time you stop, waiting for a space to open up. EDIT: That was our experience in July, 2012, and European travel has only increased since then.
Posted by
Hickory, NC USA
527 posts
We stayed 3 nights near Bayeux, using a car we rented in Caen. We did our own self-driving tour of the D-Day sites and a day trip to Mont St. Michel. We left very early and got there in the morning ahead of any crowds. The drive over and back was easy, but not just a short drive. We also had time to see Bayeux, have a lovely upscale dinner there, and visit the Falaise Chateau. If you want to stay overnight at Mont St. Michel, I would suggest you then move over near Bayeux to do your tour of the D-Day beaches etc...
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1272 posts
I agree with the need for a car, but not the search for parking. With the exception of a very few ceremonies right around June 6, I am always able to park at any site I want to visit. As mentioned, the drive between the Sainte-Mère-Églsie and Mont Saint-Michel is not short, but doable. Just don't think they are next door or that MSM is anywhere close to the D-day areas.
Posted by
Vancouver, Washington. USA.
6 posts
I’d highly recommend staying one night on the Mount. In the Dday beaches area, I highly recommend visiting the very cute town of Honfleur. I have an excellent recommendation for a place to stay around there, right on the coast. The place is owned by a good friend of mine. Message me if interested.
Posted by
17 posts
In 2019, we spent one night on Mont St Michel, and the place where we stayed was extraordinary: La Tête Noire, a 14th century building with a lovely family who welcomed us warmly and prepared a delicious breakfast right there in the kitchen while answering all of our questions. This was a spendy overnight for us, but so worth it to be on the island after dark when it was quiet and still. We felt fortunate to be able to spend a night in such a beautiful and historic building within that remarkable setting.
We stayed in Bayeux at another friendly and cozy B&B and went with a small group tour of the D-Day Beaches that was excellent, Bayeux-Shuttle. We were there on June 8 so it was busy at the 75th anniversary. There was a parade in Bayeux with hundreds of military vehicles from the era, commemorations, and reenactments. We were touched that the community put so much effort into acknowledging and remembering our shared history.
Posted by
1028 posts
We stayed in charming Bayeux for 3 nights for touring Normandy beaches and stayed 1 night in Pontorson to visit Mont St Michel, which is a convenient location if you opt not to stay overnight on MSM.