Le MSM website has comprehensive information about parking and taking shuttle buses to the Mont.

Hi Michelle,

Can't help with your question re MSM or Pays d'auge as we have not been to the former. I just wanted to mention that the Caen memorial museum is really good - very interactive exhibits and my kids learned a lot. Don't miss the souvenir gardens (if your son is like my kids they always appreciate being able to run off some energy outside...). After we picked up our rental car in the Caen (literally across the road from the train station) we had a good lunch at a small seafood place called La Cave aux huitres. The kids tried the baked oysters and the langoustine and loved it. We enjoyed the raw oysters with some nice French white wine!

BetsyG,
It sounds like you were in Normandy in April. what was the weather like? Temperatures? rainy, sunny? We might be in France next April, and am considering going to Normandy with some friends. The friends are interested in Normandy but don't want to go in April if it's chilly or rainy. They prefer a warm destination after Paris, so debating between Cote d'Azur or Normandy.
Thanks.

What the weather was like when Betsy was there means nothing reliable at all about what the weather will be like when you are there. Normandy is typically relatively chilly and windy and wet in April, but even that is a generality. For obvious reasons the Côte d'Azur is likely to be warmer, but do check the average temperature/weather sites.

St.Cirq, thank you for your response. I do realize that weather changes from year to year and is unpredictable. I still like to know what other people experienced when they are at a destination we are considering and at the same time of year. Your information is helpful. Based on typical Normandy weather in April, it looks like we would not want to go there. I personally don't mind the chilly part, but would not enjoy the windy and wet part. So I think instead we will pursue the Côte d'Azur option.

Karen, April is a fickle month all over France, even discounting climate change. The past two weeks here in the Dordogne (SW France) were so hot (80-90F) that we considered opening our pool. Yesterday it was pouring rain and cold and foggy all day (top temperature about 50F). Today it has been foggy, then clear but windy and again top temps about 50F. And we are 6-7 hours south of Normandy.

StCirq, we were in the Dordogne in May 2015 and loved it! One of our favorite trips. We had great weather for sightseeing, sunny and temps in the 60's and 70'sF. So I am surprised to hear that you've had temps in the 80's to 90's. April in France sounds like April in New England, where we live. It was 80F on Easter Sunday, and lately has been cold and rainy.
Thanks for your helpful detailed information.

It's been quite a rare year here for high temps, KarenWoo. The local farmers, who tend to plant by the lunar calendar, are completely confused and worried (big story in Le SudOuest yesterday about how troubled the wine growers are about seasonal upsets in weather).

Today it's cold again (there was a freeze last night!) and I'm completely confused as to what to do in the garden - plant ot not? We have a huge fire in the wood stove in the living room. Two weeks ago, we were in shirtsleeves and sweltering.

Odd and unsettling. But really great sleeping weather:)

Karen, sorry for not replying sooner, out of town. We were there late March. Weather was nice, no rain, not chilly. Mont st Michel was very windy & cool. But who knows for next year.

Everyone, thanks so much for all of your suggestions. We had a great trip. Indy_dad: we had a wonderful stay at Chateau de Damingy. Our room was wonderful and breakfast was delicious. What a find! Our son had a great time playing with their son Paul. Jacolis: thanks for your restaurant suggestion of Le Cave aux Huitres. We had a wonderful oyster lunch there.

I think MSM was totally worth it.

We arrived a little later in the day because we had booked a room on the island. We got there before everything closed down and made the visit with the hoards of other tourists. Then, they all went home and the streets were pretty vacant. We loved walking around with just a few other people and finding the teeny tiny alleyways. I'll never forget that.

Have great time in Normandy.

Glad you enjoyed your lunch, Michelle!