Beth88

I am planning a weekend trip to the Normandy area this fall while I am studying abroad in Paris. I want to visit the D-Day beaches and Mont St. Michel.

I know the train station for Mont St. Michel is Pontorson, and a lot of trains between Paris and Pontorson stop in Caen, so here is the plan I am considering:

Nov 14:
Train from Paris to Caen (arriving at 10:44)
Caen Peace Memorial
Train from Caen to Pontorson (leaving at 4:55, arriving at 6:58)
Taxi (or bus) to Mont St. Michel
Sleep on the Mont

Nov 15:
Mont St. Michel to Bayeux (train leaves Pontorson at 9:35AM and arrives in Bayeux at 11:20)
Bayeux tapestry and town
Sleep in Bayeux

Nov 16:
Full day D-Day beaches tour
Train from Bayeux to Paris (leaving at 7:22 or 8:51)

I know Mont St Michel is best at night or in the morning when crowds are less, but does this itinerary give me enough time there? I could take the only other train from Pontorson to Bayeux at 5:05 PM, but then I would not have time for the Bayeux tapestry.

Also, I chose this order of sites since other people have suggested seeing the Caen Memorial before doing my D-Day beaches tour, and a lot of trains I looked at heading towards Mont St Michel stopped in Caen anyway. Does anyone have a more efficient suggestion for connecting these locations. It does seem a little strange to go to Mont St Michel between Caen and Bayeux when they are only 15 minutes apart, but like I said: I have to go to Caen first anyway in order to get to the Mont...

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks for your help!

progol

Honestly, I think you're pushing it too much by trying to see the Caen Peace memorial and travelling to Mont St Michel all in the same day.

In November, according to the MSM tourism website, the Abbey is open from 9-6pm, so with your current plan, you won't have time to actually enter. Also, bear in mind that in November, it will probably be getting dark early, and in my mind, one of the most exciting things to do on the island is walking on the ramparts and watching the tide come in. I'm not sure what time sunset will be at that time of year, but it's something to consider. I was there in the summer, so there were extended hours of light and the abbey was open late; your proposed schedule would work during the summer, but not, IMO, now.

Frankly, I would pass on the Caen Memorial if you are planning to do the full day tour of the beaches. Now you you can head directly to MSM, getting there before the Abbey closes and it's too dark. Of course, it's beautiful at night (my hotel looked directly over to the abbey, and it was a great sight).

I know everyone has raved about the experience of the Caen Memorial, but while it's a good museum, it's not worth squeezing it in your short trip. I think the logistics of getting back and forth from the train station would also make it a challege.

You'll probably get more than enough WWII history with the tour of the beaches. I found touring the beaches a much more profound experience than going to the Caen Memorial.

Don't miss the Bayeux tapestry! Ditto the powerful experience! I still can't believe it's 1,000 years old; it's a beautiful piece of art and a remarkable piece of history, and a must in my opinion.

Paule

hmmm

You should be able to determine time of sunset at www. sunrisesunset.com. The last admission to the Abbey in November comes at 5:00 p.m.

The trinket offerings along the main rue are extensive. The abbey is inspiring, though the lines can be daunting. The views along the ramparts are unequalled.

Delaine

I would definitely plan to include time for admission to the Abbey itself. The views from the top are glorious. It is also nice to roam the back alleys/stairs of the Mont and walk around the island before the tide comes in.