cathy52

Is is too much to leave Bayeux and go to Mont St Michel and still be able to get to Amboise in a single day? If so where do you suggest we stay near MSM? I'm worried that the is too much driving in one day and might no allow enough time at MSM. What do you think?

Christina

It does probably seem like too much in one day for me, but it depends how much time you really want to spend at MSM and how tiring it is for you to drive and sightsee in one day (sightseeing that might involve some energy). I haven't been there so don't know what is reasonable or what your habits are, I usually tour old abbayes or chateaux that are basically empty in only an hour or so.

In total, that's about 5 hours of driving, though, 1.5 hrs going and 3.5 hrs from there to Amboise.

iris1745

We have been to MSM twice. For us, it's four hours, plus time for lunch. So yes, it can be done, but there is so much to see just on the way to Amboise that an overnight is advisable. Richard

Jean

I think it depends somewhat on when you arrive at MSM in relation to the tide. (Highest tides at new and full moons.) You might end up having to park some distance away. The parking situation is obviously worse in high season although there is another parking lot under construction.

http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en...int-michel.htm

StCirq

It would be too much for me to contemplate in one day.

klondiketoo

It would be too much for me, personally. I don't know about anyone else, but I find traffic in the Loire valley is slower and it takes you longer than planned to get around.

We drove MSM to Loches one trip, arriving late afternoon. We left right after breakfast, having spent the night on the Mont, and picniqued along the road (so no 2 hr lunch here). It was a long day of driving w/o much else.

You could plug the information into viamichelin to give you an idea, but I always add 20-25% more time for gas-ups, meals, traffic jams etc.

Sue_xx_yy

cathy52:

It's about ninety minutes to Le Mont Saint Michel. You will want about 3 hours, minimum, to see that place. Four hours with lunch. So you would be setting out mid afternoon for Amboise, which is a 3.5 hour drive, in theory. I say 'in theory' because klondiketoo's point about traffic jams and gas ups (you'll need to plan your gas station stop) is a good one.

Personally, I'd plan to see something like the Bayeux tapestry in the morning, go to the Mont for the afternoon and spend the night, and then carry on to Amboise the next day.

Enjoy France.

cathy52

Thanks, I agree it may be too much driving in one day. If we leave Bayeux and see MSM, what is a good town to overnight in before heading on the Amboise?

iris1745

Something to consider. We stayed at www.chateaudebouceel.com and had a great visit with the Count. This man is so gratious. The chateau is 10 miles south of MSM. What's impressive is, driving towards MSM when you first see it, it's like a thumbprint. Then it starts to get larger as you get closer. Such an amazing sight. After visiting there you could go to Dinan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dinan Leaving the next morning for Amboise, your route may come close to http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/br.php an American cemetery few American's visit. The Count takes care of an Americans grave stone. Also will come close to lovely towns to visit, like Vitre and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/fougeres Happly planning Richard

john183

We had your same dilemma when planning our trip for last June/July and we decided to make MSM a day trip from Bayeux. We decided it would be easier for us to drive back to our hotel near Bayeux than to switch hotels for one night or to try to visit MSM on our way to Amboise. In the morning on the day we left for Amboise, we actually did a little more site-seeing in Normandy before hitting the road and we still made it to our hotel by about 3:30 or so. This plan worked for us but all the advice above is good. I just thought I would throw in one more option for you to consider.

cathy52

Thanks John 183. I think I like your idea! I don't like to change hotels any more than I have to.

john183

Each option has its advantages/disadvantages and I have read several trip reports where people were very happy staying overnight or stopping on the way to the Loire Valley but the one we chose worked for us.

I don't know if you have read my long-winded TR but you can find it if you click on my name and go to "Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley with our Granddaughter". Day 8 starts the Normandy and Loire Valley portion of our trip and somewhere near the end of the report (posted on Sep 4th) is a link to some of the pictures we took. We had an absolutely fantastic time!

Just curious, where are you staying in Bayeux and Amboise?

BigRuss

We did this in reverse: Amboise to MSM and then to Bayeux. It is completely feasible, just start early. We toured the whole abbey, wandered through the town, had plenty of picture time and did everything we wanted within a day and we had to reach Bayeux by early evening. My wife was 6+ months pregnant at the time, and clambered up, around and through the whole abbey.

Going the way you will is arguably easier because you will be able to race down the highway for the last two hours of your trip into Amboise, which is far easier driving than cutting through small towns, driving twisty roads, and watching for foot traffic.