Brittany/Mont St Michel

Doing Mont St Michel as a daytrip from Paris makes for a very long day but is doable if you want to. However, adding Dinan just won't work. If you've been to Paris already then I'd definitely recommend to spend several days in Normandy/Brittany. It's very different from Paris!!!

It is really worthwhile if visiting Mont St. Michel to stay overnight on the island. It is a whole different atmoshpere with all of the day trippers gone, and can be quite magical especially if you are there when the high tide comes in.

You need at least 1 overnight really to do MSM and see a little extra, I'd give yourself 2 nights at least though. I stayed in the walled coastal city of St. Malo last summer and loved it, wish I'd had more time there. Wanted to do Dinan too, but didn't get the chance. I'd TGV to Brittany and then rent a car once I get there were I to return. It's much harder to get around Brittany without a car.

Thank you so much for all your help. I will now be visiting that area for much longer. I can't wait!

We loved Dinan!! MSM is a nice stop too, but Dinan is a wonderful little town with a great ambiance. Definitely worth a full day. Rent a car and drive through Normandy to MSM and down to Dinan, its an easy drive.

Both in a day-not possible and have time to see much at all. I'll share our recent experience. We visited Dinan on April 20, driving from Arromanches (Normandy beaches) and arriving about one o'clock. Do spend some time walking the ramparts and the old town cobbled streets, visit the historic church built by contributions from a crusader (different floor plan / assymetrical), eat some crepes, walk the port area. We didn't get into the fortress / castle....out of time. Or climb the clock tour....out of energy! We liked Hotel Tour de L'Horloge, as recommended by Rick Steves. Dinan's a lovely place. The next day we drove to the village south, Lehon, which is also worth some time if you have it. Then a leisurely drive to MSMichel, getting there about three o'clock. Our room wasn't ready, so we toured the abbey for an hour and a half. Wonderful dinner at Hotel Du Guesclin (three courses /18 euros and one of our best of the month in France) overlooking the water. We didn't have a reservation; maybe in September you'd want to consider making one.MSM is a pleasant place after the crowds leave; you could also stay nearby rather than on the island and leave after dark. Careful parking if you have a car; one visitor wasn't-car surrounded by incoming tide. Cold that evening, but we did walk out to the causeway to see the island lighted. Hope you can do both....or either! Bon Voyage! Marian, Kirkland WA