I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip for next summer or late spring. We know that we will be in Paris and I am wondering what the best way to get to Mont Saint Michel for two people would be. My fiance really wants to stop in Le Mans so I was thinking we would go from there. I have traveled throughout Europe but always by train and mostly from city to city. I am wondering if it would just be easier to rent a car for the two of us. I am also interested in seeing the D-Day beaches. Any information is much appreciated.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
There are many options, none simple nor convenient. Here's what we did. We took the train to Caen and picked up our reserved rental car right across the street from the Caen train station. We drove to Bayeux, about 15 miles, and stayed at the Churchill Hotel overnight. Tours of the D Day beaches leave from right behind the hotel. Since we had our own car and the tour, like all tours, didn't let you really look around as much as we wanted, we returned the next day and spent the entire day exploring, spending time at the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach, and enjoying a leisurely day with a delightful picnic. We spent 3 nights in a centuries-old rural B&B near Bayeux and drove to MSM one day in about 2 hours, arriving before the hordes of tour buses. About 2 hours is enough for MSM then we drove around the bay to Cancale for a great seafood lunch with MSM in the distance. We drifted back to our B&B, stopping to sample the local cheeses and Calvados. Driving in Normandy and taking the train to Caen and then back to Paris was easy especially with our GPS and a Michelin road map of Normandy.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
Personally I think having a car is the best way to do this. This an easy drive to/from Paris. While I'm a big train fan in Europe for point to point city travel the Normandy D-Day beaches are best by personal car. There are many car rental options outside of Paris proper reachable by the tube/RER. D-day beaches, MSM etc are just better on your own. Well, better on your own if you do some research and have a decent guidebook. Plan on at least one overnight, two would be better.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You could take a TGV from Paris to Le Mans in less than one hour. Pick up a rental car there and drive to Mont Saint-Michel and then on to Bayeux. Spend at least one night in Bayeux. See the D-Day beaches (either on your own or on a guided tour). If you're going to return to Paris, either turn in your car in Caen and take the train to Paris or drive all the way.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Agreeing with the others that you'll want a car to get to MSM and to see the area. It's far easier in that region.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
We took a day trip out to Mt. St. Michael. We booked it here in the U.S. through Gray Line Tours.com. In our opinion the Mont and the surroundings look better in photos. It was very hot when we were there in June, 2011. We had to climb up a steep ramp to get into the place and in the sun. We personally didn't think it was worth the time to go out there, but a lot of people love it.
Posted by
Mentor on the Lake, OH, USA
251 posts
Hi Amy, My husband and I went to LeMans and then Mont St Mchel in 2010. We were there the 1st week in June and were able to see the time trials for the LeMans 24 hr race. I think the week of the race changes from year to year so you might want to check online to see when it will be held. The time trials are run in days leaduing up to the race itself. We had a great time and my husband loved it. Rent a car with a GPS system for driving through France.
We love Mont St Michel, it was worth the drive. I reccommend spending the night there either on shore or on the island. You can then drive up to Bayeux for the tours of the Normandy beaches.