I am looking for the easiest and cheepest ways to day trip from Paris to Mont St. Michel. Is "the bus" my only option?

On your own? You have to take the train (TGV) to Rennes (from Gare Montparnesse). At Rennes you switch to a train to Pontorson. At Pontorson you take a bus to Mont Saint Michel About 4 hours total. Or take a tour with Paris Visions or Cityrama.For more Paris information go to www.anamericaninparis.com

I just came back from a week on the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, and I have quite mixed feelings about whether you ought to try to "day trip" to MSM at all.<BR><BR>First, the good news: Mont St. Michel DID exceed my expectations - - and I had believed that I had grown too jaded to appreciate "yet another wonder of the world". It really is awesome, and I think that you must climb all the way up to the top to enjoy it fully (fewer than one-third of the 3 million annual visitors do this). It really helps to appreciate the effort required to build it, and add to it over the centuries.<BR><BR>The negative side is that it seems to me to be a bad waste of travel time to go so far without spending several days along the English channel coast. There REALLY is a lot to like nearby. I liked St. Malo (and didn't even make it to Dinan, nor Dinard); and to the east, the Normandy "invasion country" makes for an amazing 1-2 days - - plus, then there is Honfleur, Etretat and more. And this is such an incomplete list, not even touching on "inland" Normandy (nor Brittany at all).<BR><BR>I say, you should rethink whether this trip (to Paris) ought to include MSM as a one day "peck" at Normandy. Make it four days, travel by car, and you will be well rewarded.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping<BR>

I considered that last year while staying in Paris and from everything I read on this forum, it's just too far for a day trip.

We are actually staying overnight on the Mont in early December, since everything I have read about day trips has led me to believe that the best way to enjoy and appreciate it is to stay overnight. Good luck!