I know this issue has been discussed recently, but I would like to revisit it as we are trying to figure out what to do. There will be four of us in a rental car with four small carry-on size suitcases. We will also have smaller day packs/totes. We will be spending one night on Mont Saint Michel and I don't think we seniors can carry our suitcases up all those stairs. I had thought to pack our overnight essentials in the backpacks and leave the suitcases in the car but am concerned about security of the car and our bags. It will likely be a hatchback, probably with a cover for the back. Is the parking lot staffed at night? Is there an area of the lot where it would be safer for us to park? Would it help to get to the lot late in the afternoon in order to get a more secure spot? Is there a porter service that we could pay to carry our luggage (don't really want to do that, but thought it might be a possibility)? Eighteen years ago we spent a night on MSM and our only concern was to park above the tide line. We were much younger then and able to lug our luggage up the stairs, but I remember that it was difficult even then.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8396 posts
I can't tell you about the security in the parking lot, but the solution does seem fairly simple. Take the difficult to replace/valuable items with you in your backpack overnight and just leave the rest in the car. Your money, credit cards, ID , Passport, medicines, etc go with you (just like your carry-on on the plane) and you leave the extra clothes in the car.
I can tell you any thief that goes after my clothing would be sorely disappointed in his/her "haul."
Posted by
Alpharetta, Ga, USA
265 posts
When we overnighted there 5-6 years ago we had a rental sedan. We packed what we needed for overnight and our valuables in our carry-on bags and locked the others in the trunk. It is however a concern, and none of this helps you!
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1140 posts
I don't think there is security at night. I have seen otherwise fit, young people struggle with those wheeled suitcases on the cobblestones and steps of Mont-Saint-Michel. I think your plan to take day packs only is highly advisable. The only thing I would caution you about is to work out all your luggage (what you take and what you leave) well before you arrive at and pull into the parking lot at MSM so you don't have to display to any potential thieves that there is luggage in your car at all. You simply get out of your car with your day packs and head to the shuttle bus. If someone sees you storing luggage in your car, they won't know what is or isn't in the luggage. And whether the thief only gets clothing or not, breaking into your car will cause damage and will be a royal PITA.
Posted by
752 posts
There is a Hotel Mercure on the way to the parking lot. Email to see if they offer paid overnight luggage storage. Also check with your hotel to see if they have a recommendation (but perhaps you have already tried that?)
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
874 posts
We were there about 7 years ago…..we did what Carol said…..put essentials in an easy carry-on bag and left the rest of our luggage locked in our rental car…no problem. I remember that there was a locked gate to get back to our car and we had to have a code from our hotel on the island to get our car out of the parking lot…..i cannot remember the security on the lot but to me it would have been hard to make any break-in to our car. Pay close attention to that fact…we got to the car and forgot about the code your MSM hotel will give you and almost thought we would have to walk back to the island to get our code…..and there it was on our receipt from the hotel!
Posted by
OP
Mississippi, USA
2 posts
Thank you so much for some really good suggestions and information. I didn't know about the codes to enter the parking lot.
Posted by
Jersey Shore
336 posts
I have never been and know nothing of the area except that it looks really cool.... But I thought of this while reading the comment about asking a local hotel to store your luggage.. Since there are 4 of you and your are Seniors, I am going to assume money is not the main concern when you travel.. Why not book a room on the mainland and use that to store the luggage. Check in and drop off everything in the room on your drive in, then proceed to parking. I used a Wednesday night in June and found several hotels for less than $100.. It may not be the cheapest solution, but peace of mind for $25 per person isn't that bad...
Posted by
Florida
482 posts
That's an interesting idea from Jimmy666. Worth looking into.
We've been to Mont St Michel several times and have never had a problem. I have no idea what the car park is like at night since we're on the island at that time.
Here's how it looked 5 years ago. As an overnight guest, you will park in a gated lot (entry/exit code provided by your hotel), with bushes around the perimeter. It's not "secure" really, but probably moreso than parking on the street or in an ordinary parking lot elsewhere.
We follow the advice given above. Bring your valuables (including meds) with you to your hotel, and bring as little as you can overall. Do your rearranging/re-packing elsewhere (not in the car park) and cover the luggage that remains in the car if possible.
I have never heard of a porter service such as you're describing but my thinking is that employing such a service would make you stand out, which is the opposite of what you want when you're leaving your car unattended.
As for lugging your luggage, take your time. Go slow and stop along the way. The cobblestones and distances involved can make this difficult, but not insurmountable. I am over 80, have health issues which limit my stamina and am planning on carrying my bag to my hotel on Mont St Michel later this year.
I sure hope you can do it. Spending the night on the island is worth it (as you already know).