It sounds like the hotels on the island itself arent' very good so I was wondering how bad would it be to stay near where I could get the shuttle up to the island? It's supposed to run from 7:30 am to midnight and that would let me avoid the mid day crowds.
And is one night enough? Visit the island both at night and the following morning?
Yes, one night is fine. I've stayed both on the island, and just off. I much preferred staying on the island. Just being able to go wandering at any hour, over the paths and ramparts, are as many have said, "truly magical." Nothing fancy, but decent, serviceable rooms can be had. Mine even had a breakfast room downstairs. I gotta tell you, walking down that main drag late at night when only people who were re-stoking the stores were out, and then going down that same street the net morning when people were struggling to fight their way up, was a striking difference. The view off-island is great, but you'll get that coming and going regardless. And I took several trips up the causeway for photo ops, that were just a short walk from my room. I kept going back until the light and rain let me get some great shots. No waiting for a bus required.
I recall fondly my night on the Mont in one of those little hotels. No, they're not 5 star luxury, but I found nothing wrong with ours, and I've slept in many funkier places. Of course, if they were anyplace else, they would certainly be overpriced. But I thought my money was well spent. On Location Location Location. I haven't stayed at any of the places on the mainland so can't offer any input on those - other than I loved being on the mont during the empty hours.
In fact, I thought one night was perfect. Arrive mid- to late-afternoon. Enjoy the diminishing number of people until that dwindles to just a handful overnight. Hit the sack early, rise before the sun, be out to catch the sunrise. Enjoy the morning, and when the human tide rolls in, get outta dodge. No need to stay more than 1 night IMHO.
We stayed on the island last spring, and our hotel was fine. Clean, convenient, and served a good breakfast.
Do reconsider; if you're used to luxury hotels, then consider just one night "roughing it" here. As others have said, being out late can be magical, and getting up early to wander or to attend Lauds in the abbey is worth forgoing a bit of pampering.
We've stayed on Mt St Michel 5 or 6 times. We've never stayed at anything that I'd call a luxury hotel, but I've never had a complaint about our rooms. Small, yes, but clean, and perfectly adequate - even charming in some cases.
I'm with the other posters here. Stay on the Island. There's nothing like the freedom and charm of exploring the stairways and passageways both late at night and early in the morning - possibly after midnight, most likely earlier than 7:30 am.
I'd also say that for most people, one night is enough.
Thank you all for your answers. But none of you stated where you actually stayed....name of hotel?
We stayed once at the hotel owned by the Poulard family and liked it. The room had floor length windows and overlooked a church--very quiet--breakfast was not included. On a second visit we stayed at Mouton Blanc( Poulard not available). According to photos this hotel looks like it has been renovated. We had a horrid room on our stay--was probably ten years ago. Room overlooked street and noisy. We had a pigeon fly in--window (one very small) was open because it was very warm--late May I think. Their restaurant was good for dinner at that time. One night is plenty but we like staying on the island.
I stayed at La Mouton Blanc. But keep in mind that almost all of the hotels on Mont-Saint-Michel are either owned or operated by one family/company. The Poulard Group. They effectively have a monopoly:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupe_M%C3%A8re_Poulard
You will see the name Poulard on several hotels and restaurants, but even many of those who don't have their name on the front door are still owned or managed by them—including the hotel at which I stayed. After walking partway up the main drag to get to my hotel, I saw a sign stating that to check in, I had to go back down, and then up a long set of stairs to La Mère Poulard to check in (or Hotel Les Terrasses Poulard, I forget which one). Still, I liked my stay, you just have to set your expectation accordingly, and understand there is no competition on the island.
Our tour group was booked into the St Pierre Hotel, but we split up into subgroups. Our subgroup stayed at La Croise Blanche. I noted in my log that the room (503) was very nice, but up a very narrow spiral staircase. As I recall, we were split into subgroups based on physical ability and size of luggage!
Also stayed at La Croise Blanche as part of a Rick Steves Tour. It opens right onto the ramparts, the rooms were fine, and I had a lovely view. The spiral staircase was a bit of an adventure with luggage. I found staying overnight on the island really enhanced the experience for me. The crowds left and it was quite special to roam around without them. Sunrise was gorgeous.
Breakfast is at a sister hotel a few doors down the road.
I booked at the St. Pierre for one night because most of the hotels on the island were already sold out for my planned visit stay. 200 Euros.
Those hotels are not terrible, They are just not a good value.
Except for, oh yeah, location.
We enjoyed 2 nights at MSM and stayed on the mainland. Also drove over Cancale for an afternoon and enjoyed that as well. One night is enough.
Frank II, I don't think you'll regret it.
We are booked at Hotel du Guesclin in April, family room for one night. We have stayed in sketchy hostels in our lifetime so for one night we should be able to cope. Wanted to be on the island. RS recommended so we figured it would be fine. And yes, do late afternoon evening and next morning before the crowds arrive and you should be fine.
Hope you have a very nice visit on the Mont--it is definitely worth it. Cannot recommend the Poulard place that specializes in omelettes. We spent about 100 euros for two omelettes, 2 small salads, and two glasses of wine. Definitely not worth it.
In any place that is the focus of so much intense tourism, one needs to calibrate their expectations when it comes to the cost/quality of food, accommodations, etc. I recall my omlette in one of those places as not being particularly memorable (in terms of deliciousness) but being right there made up for it (I do remember some very big, very shiny, copper pans - today they must cost a fortune). I shrugged off any culinary criticisms at the time.
Remember, just as in your choice of hotels, your choice of eateries will be limited. Just remind yourself, you didn't go there for the food, or for the hotel room. You went to BE there.
Frank II, it doesn’t contradict any of the replies here, but I suggest you read my THIRD post in this thread:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/travel-to-mount-st-michel
You may have a misunderstanding about the physical layout of the MSM approach, There is no reason why a healthy individual could not WALK all the way from any of the bland franchise hotels on the shore “strip” to the MSM island. The Shuttle is convenient (as well as peace-love-tie dye electric powered), especially all the way from the parking lot, but the island isn’t that far. Look at the links I posted there.
I don’t agree that an grossly overpriced omelette (!) is worth the chance to ”get” to sleep overnight in a UNESCO WHS. If you can sleep 1/4 mile away for half the price, and buy an egg sandwich at the supermarket for breakfast, you can still get to MSM before those evil day-trippers who didn’t even buy Rick’s book.
Stayed at Les Valtieres du Mont Saint Michel and would again.
