Need recommendations for a day trip from Paris to MT Saint Michel in April. We prefer to NOT rent a car. Trying to decide if a paid tour bus is a good option or if it is possible to go on our own via train (how do we get to the site from the train)?
I see that the buses are about a five hour drive one way and train 2 hours. Will we be forfeiting time at MSM by taking a bus or will we see a lot of nice country scenery on the bus ride? Any recommendations will be appreciated.
Posted by
Washington DC
27054 posts
The bus schedule from Pontorson (nearest train station) to Mont-St.-Michel valid in April 2020 is here.
I haven't made that trip so can't comment on the scenery. It's a long way to go for just a few hours, and people say MSM is overwhelmed by day-trippers.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
I know this isn't what you want to hear. Nonetheless, I believe it to be true...
Your plan will ensure you see MSM at its worst: just for a few hours, during the middle of the day, when it's at its most crowded. If there's any way you can change your plans, my recommendation would be to:
Spend the night there. Ideally on the Mont itself (there are just a few, quirky, small "hotels"), or at least nearby on the mainland. The best way to enjoy MSM is to be there late afternoon and into the evening, then early the next morning, when there are no crowds and you have this magical place to yourself. If you go as a "day trip" (regardless of how you get there), you will be elbow-to-elbow with everyone else who is off a day trip tour bus...and that's a lot of people. April wouldn't be quite as crowded as mid-summer, but the difference in your experience will be like day versus night (in this case, both literally and figuratively).
The best way to get there (and back) is by rental car. You could take a train the get somewhat close (nothing wrong with that), but that part of France is very beautiful, and there are so many other great things to see and do there, if you have a car you can make the most efficient use of your time and see more than just MSM.
Big question is: How long is your trip, can you carve out 2-3 days to really see MSM, Normandy and things around? It's some of the best of France, IMHO, easy and very enjoyable.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6289 posts
cfern744, when we were at MSM earlier this year, the crowds were shoulder-to-shoulder. If you can see your way clear to spending a night there, you will have a much better experience. Evenings and early mornings are quiet and peaceful, with very few folks out and about. Most of the early morning traffic is either people opening the shops or making deliveries, or tourists heading up to the Abbey for early morning Lauds.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4823 posts
Agree with the others. The best recommendation for a day trip to MSM? Don't do it. Either carve out time to do an overnight, or wait until you can combine it with a Normandy visit of several days.
Posted by
OP
Miami Florida
16 posts
Excellent advice. Sounds like something that should not be done as a day trip. I really appreciate the help
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Visiting MSM was the low light of a 4 week trip to France. I stayed in Pontorson for several days, so didn’t visit during “rush hour”. Visiting around the busy middle of the day as a day trip would be hideous.
Posted by
151 posts
If you do not have enough time to spend a night in Mont St Michel or around, the quickest way to do a day trip from Paris is to take a 1.5-hour TGV train to Rennes and then a private guide /driver (about 1.15-hour drive, for example a VTC driver). You could even combine with a tour to St Malo to enjoy more scenery along the drive (direct TGV trains from Paris to Saint Malo as well).
Posted by
Chicago
94 posts
There is a company, specializing on the day trips to MSM (not cheap). I would take a chance, but my wife has limited mobility.