Trip to Normandy and Mont St. Michel from Paris

You can take the train to Bayeux very easily - only the 2nd stop. The Churchill Hotel in Bayeux runs a shuttle/van for a fee for a day trip to Mont St. Michel.

I was in Bayeux for 3 nights and it didn't seem long enough. I took a Battlebus tour which was a whole day and I wish I had taken another one

At least an overnight in maybe Bayeux and maybe two. There is a lot to see and it is a much bigger area than I originally thought when we tried to visit without much prior research. The beach areas stretch for more than 50 miles and doesn't begin to include inland stuff such as S St. Marie. On our next trip we are going to allow two days.

Three days is good, two is possible with good weather.

I'd spend the night on MSM to be able to enjoy it without crowds, then head to Bayeux as a base for beaches, tapestry, Norman ambiance and (if time allows or weather compels) the Peace Museum in Caen.

How easy it this trip with trains and buses?

I'd take a train out to Normandy and rent a car in Caen (or in Bayeaux if possible) - you'll need the car to explore.

Try to spend at least one night at Mont St. Michel. During the day (especially in July!) the narrow confines of the island become choked with daytrippers. Most leave by late afternoon, and by nightfall, the ancient ramparts assume a tranquil, serene beauty. Then, you can explore the famous abbey first thing in the morning, and leave before the next daily invasion of day-trippers commences.

We also stayed in Bayeux, a charming town with lovely cathedral and the Tapestry...train from Paris is easy. We spent 4 nights at the Churchill in mid-June, with 3 days of Battlebus tours...the two day American tour and the Band of Brothers Tour. Wish we had also taken the British tour. You can't get enough it seems. These tours/guides are FANTASTIC. But you must call NOW to check availability.

We spent 2 days in Normandy with a rental car, and that was not enough. We took the train from Paris to Caen, then rented a car which I had reserved through AutoEurope. The rental agencies are right across the street from the train station. (I would definitely recommend a GPS system, by the way.) We spent the night in Arromanches, and really enjoyed the evening on the beach. We had time the next day to see the American and German cemeteries, Vierville-sur-Mer (a site we really enjoyed), Pointe du Hoc, and go to St Mere Eglise. We got back to Caen in time to take the train back to Paris. We had time to do those things in 2 days. With 3 or 4 days, we could have easily done the other things you listed. Also, you can drive to Rennes -- which is close to Mont St. Michel -- and take the TGV back to Paris. We almost did that and should have.
Hope this helps.

I'd also vote for staying in Arromanches -- it's great to be right on the water and that much closer to the WWII sites.

It's very east to drive in this part of France -- some of the best roads -- if you are considering renting a car. Otherwise, connections are not good. As Rick points out in the guidebooks, it's very hard to go from the WWII areas to M-S-M by train. We were going further afield than Normandy, so we rented in Versailles in order to get out of Paris first.

If by chance you do have a car, I would also recommend considering a short drive into Brittany to Dinan. It's very close to M-S-M, and gives you a unique flavor -- one of our favorite of France.

Im going to Paris at the end of May and we are planning two nights in Normandy. We want to see the invasion beaches and Mont St Michel. We are hoping to stay in Caen and despite the overwhelming weight of the advice we are probably not going to rent a car. Does anyone know if it is possible to get to the D-Day highlights from Caen by bus??