Driving from CDG to Mont St Michel and Normandy 2.5 days need best route..

You've got the right idea, but it's a heck of a lot faster just to rent the car in Paris and drive straight up. Three hours vs four plus the rer ride if you're going to Bayeux first. Four vs five and the rer if you go to MSM first. You're looking at close to two hours each way from Bayeux to MSM. I think I'd look into stashing the stuff at Nord and rent the car there since it's an easy escape from the city and the obvious spot to pick up the luggage at the end. Of course the best would be to take the luggage with you if it fits and drop the car at Roissy as you hop on the plane.

For the best routing instructions in Europe, go here: http://www.viamichelin.com/

Any mapping software or gps routing and times is going to be really rough. I think that viamicheline has the worst idea for routes in that part of France. My times are based on a heck of a lot of driving experience in that area.

Here's what I would NOT want to do: After a long drive, hit MSM just when the crowds are at peak, rush my visit, and then drive another hour plus to Bayeux. So I hope your plan is to spend the night in or near MSM.

I agree with Adam. MSM is terribly crowded during the day when the tour buses are there. Maybe drive to MSM from CDG, arriving late afternoon. Spend the night on the mont. You can explore the ramparts and village at night (when the mont is lit up). Get up early and tour the abbey (which opens at 9am) before the crowds arrive. Leave as the tour buses are arriving and drive to Bayeaux.

Thank you all.... 1- My plan was to go from Paris originally since we have an apt by the Louve which we give up Thursday but we cannot get a car large enough (automatic) for the luggage (we are on a cruise back to the States from Rome and have "cruise" luggage for 4) and my husband is not too thrilled with us driving through Paris (I do not have a problem with that but do not want to make him too nuts!) So this was a compromise. And we have a hotel booked at the airport Saturday night before flying out Sunday morning. 2- Ed we have always used Michilen...and drive a great deal through Europe. Where else would you go to compare routes for this part of France? 3- Adam..I think you are right about driving too much and not wanting to tour once we get there. 4-Paula Great idea however I really wanted to stay in 1 hotel for the 2 nights but will look into this. We are traveling in November and there are limited tours then so it won't be as crowded Another thought?? Should we skip MSM and leave it for another trip and just stay in Normandy. We leave CDG Thursday around 9 or 10 AM and have to be back at the airport Saturday night. BTW I got great advise from the board last year before we drove for several weeks from Madrid to Malaga and through Spain. I do listen. Thanks.
Sue

Hi Karen, You need to consider that 9 am is still rush hour in Paris. It will take you a lot of time just to leave the Paris area. I think it will take you no less than 6 hours to reach MSM. My suggestion is to take the TGV from the airport to Rennes (3 hours ride) and to rent a car there to tour MSM and Normandy. Rennes to MSM is only 30 to 40 mn by car.
On the way back, drop the car at CDG since you will be coming from a closer location.

Interesting thought. After reading your responses I am thinking of leaving after rush hour and just not pushing MSM this trip. We spend a good deal of time overseas and are traveling with friends who have never been out of the country. From France we will be going on a two week TA Cruise back to the States. We might just stay in Normandy and areas around and take our time with 2 and a half days as we drive and save MSM for a later date and warmer weather. What we have found in the past when driving from Paris to Annecy and Chamonix (sp?) and then to Nice is that we did not leave ourselves enough time to spend time along the road. Don't want to exhaust ourselves running too much. And after reading these posts it seems like we might be. Will get all the info and research alternatives and decide. Thanks
Sue

I like MSM but you can have a great trip without it. Given your constraints I'd say your inclination is right.

I tend to think your most recent plan is a good one. We did very well at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux, and free parking too.

I agree - you may want to save MSM for another time. I just find we always enjoy ourselves better if we don't try to push it. Hotel d'Argouges is another recommendation.

Thank you for all of the suggestions. We are going to limit this trip to Normandy. Sue