My husband and I will be visiting Normandy in the spring and need to decide where to stay in Mont St-Michel March 23-24, 2019. Currently I have lodgings booked both on and off the island and am trying to decide which to cancel. I read about how nice it is to stay on MSM so that you can experience it without all the tourists at night, but I'm wondering if that would be the case in very early spring when we will visit. Is MSM crowded with tourists in the spring? If you stay on the mainland, can you see the floodlit island from the town? For those who have visited MSM, which location would you recommend staying in March? Many thanks.
Posted by
Sunnyside, New York, United States
439 posts
We stayed on the island recently. I found it a little creepy without anyone around. We were on the RS so we had dinner with the group, my husband and I would go get a drink afterwards but there was nothing open, no where to go. We did get up early to see the monks chant, that was nice and very moving for me.
Posted by
Cincinnati OH
65 posts
I stayed overnight on MSM on 3-30-17 with my wife and daughter. Exploring the island after the tourists were gone was fantastic - maybe the best night I have ever spent in Europe. Things you need to consider:
-our Hotel was spartan (but cheap) and I suspect most others on the island are also;
-getting to our hotel room was work - hundreds of stairs. Consider just taking an overnight bag vs your entire suitcase;
-the island shuts down at night. I think only one restaurant was open for dinner and it was not very good;
-to view the island at night, you must walk to the causeway (unlike hotels on the mainland that offer views of MSM);
-staying on the island makes it easier to beat the crowds the next day.
Good luck - everyone should visit MSM!
Posted by
Elmwood, IL, USA
362 posts
We stayed off MSM and had great views of the island at night. We stayed until after dark for dinner and took the last shuttle off the island. That worked for us. Yes, you won’t have the hordes of tourist like the summer but MSM pedestrian areas are narrow so depending on day trip buses it may feel busier than you may like.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I also stayed off of MSM in late May. Travelling by car, I parked in the large lot after 7 p.m. (free at that time), took the free shuttle bus to the Mont which is just off the island. Great views and pics at that spot. I enjoyed walking the ramparts without the crowds and had a late dinner with a view of the bay. Before I caught the 11 p.m. bus back, I took fantastic pics of the Mont all lit up. Be aware that there are a lot of people taking the late buses and they do get crowded. I returned early the next day to tour the abbey. I purchased my tickets at the tourist office on the Mont and walked from there up (the left side) without crowds. Had a great time exploring and experiencing MSM. Staying off of MSM allowed me to enjoy watching the sheep run to and from their farms and enjoy staying at a lovely B&B.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1134 posts
I stayed on the island last year after doing the day trip thing a few years earlier. To each their own, but I totally enjoyed my stay on the island much more than my previous stay off-island. All the places to eat on the island are the same IMHO. But why you eat there has as much to do with the view and the ambiance than the actual meal itself (honestly, you are in a tourist place even if you stay off-island—haute-cuisine is not the goal). And wandering around the island on my own schedule after dinner without the hoards was truly magical. I can't imagine it would be the same if I had to wait for and board a bus, and not had the independence of just going where I wanted, when I wanted after dark. Yes, you get great views from the causeway, but that is just a short walk from the island—not a bus ride. And there are many, many views that are special in and on the island itself. For my time and money, staying on island was totally worth it, and without regret.
My too sense...
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I stayed at a hostel on the coast in Cancale about 1/2 hour drive from MSM. If you like seafood, you're something between 30-45 minutes from Cancale (toward St. Malo). They have the best oysters in the world. I was skeptical of the claim before I tried them. They really are the best oysters I've had. The place I went was walking distance from the hostel, overlooking a bay (interesting watching the tide go out, and out, and out). Prices aren't exorbitant, I paid about 20 euro for a meal with six oysters, another side of six oysters and two beers.