"Does anyone know Alencon and the surrounding area?"
Only a few kms SW of Alencon is the charming village St.Ceneri-le-Gerei. Also Domfront is a bigger place worth more than just a quick drive-through.

Thanks, Wren. I'm expecting that the place at MSM will be more, even for a basic room. My 80 euro budget is only where it's reasonable to get it. I do want to stay on the Mont, though. I did it once about 25 years ago, and remember loving the experience. Since my husband has never gone there, he very much wants to stay overnight. So if it cost more, that's fine. But I'll look into the place you mention in Dinan.

Twoflower, thanks for your suggestion. I've made the decision to drop the car in Rennes, so we won't be driving that far.
Paule

In Dinan, I can recommend the Hotel Arvor, right in the middle of the old town. It's a two star hotel, quite comfortable, and it should easily fit your budget. I have stayed at the Hotel St Pierre on Mont St. Michel, but you may not be able to get a room there for under €100. It's a 3 star hotel, but there are several 2 star hotels on the island which might cost less.

I'm also trying to decide where to stay in or around Dinan for my May trip (this is just one of MANY decisions!)

Wren, I was considering the Jerzual, but sounds from others on here quite difficult to get to and park, etc. A steep street with lots of pedestrians,etc. Did you find that part difficult? I get freaked out driving a manual on hills with alot of stop and go. I've been looking at the Manoir de Rigourdaine in the Rance valley area near Dinan. It looks quite nice - anyone stayed there?? I'm just not sure if I'd rather be in the countryside, or right in Dinan. Opinions welcomed!

Progol, when is your trip? I'm also working my way from Rouen to Brittany, and have so many decisions about where to go in Brittany. I'll have 2 weeks altogether for Normandy and Brittany.

In Brittany, we loved the low-key Bay of Morlaix for religious sculture, early-history sites, unspoiled scenery and antique hunting a bit inland. The Hotel de Carantec, in the town of the same name, near Roscommon, www.hoteldecarantec.com has stylish rooms with balconies overlooking the bay and a restaurant, one-star when we stayed and two-star now, I believe, arguably the best in Brittany, with a wall of windows overlooking the bay and superb food that we could sample at will (with only one main course off limits) at the demi-pension rate for two of 349 euros per night, in 2004. Worth every euro cent and a lot more.

Sue,
We will be travelling in July. Since we have 8 days total, my trip into Brittany will be more of a toe dip, so we'll get as far as we can along the coast (I hope to make it to Cap Frehel) and/or have a good inland trip around Fougeres/Vitre.
Paule

Sue4--if you don't like driving a manual on narrow, hilly streets, stay away from the Jerzual!!! When I look back at what I had to do to get there...drive a rather large car (for some reason even though we reserved a compact, we got a Nissan XTrail SUV, which was wonderful everywhere else!) on a cobblestone street with shop signs sticking out, pedestrians everywhere, uphill trying to stay in 1st gear w/o rolling backwards, I cringe!!
Paule, the Auberge st. Pierre was about $128 euros if I recall w/o bkft. Location, location, location!

Wren, that's what I was afraid of about the Jerzual! No way will I put myself through that torture - and me all alone.
Thanks for your direct reply!

Dave, the Carentec really sounds nice, but is probably more expensive than I'm willing to go for this trip. I'm stretching things as it is, as this is an 18-day trip, and with renting the car also, (for just me!), I'd better budget a little for hotels.

Progol, good luck with all your planning. I was going to just do one week in Normandy, and the rest in Paris, but after reading up on Brittany, I can't resist doing that too, (and skipping Paris this time).
All this planning is so much fun. Even if I end up not going at all, this is great entertainment! By the way, your Normandy itinerary sounds great - I'll be doing just about the same thing, but with a little longer stays, and I'm skipping Mt. St. Michel,as I've already been there. I'm enjoying this thread with all the ideas.

Sue, I think you're wise in putting more time in Brittany as well. Although I'd like to spend more time in Brittany, I really don't want to rush through the region after already moving around so much. We'll be coming from Amsterdam and Brugges and then going to Normandy, so it feels too rushed to go too deep into Brittany. Although my husband has never been there, I spent 3 weeks (about 25 years ago) with a boyfriend, biking around Brittany. Now THAT was an experience -- and not all good, mind you! But the memories of Brittany are wonderful!

So now I've calmed down, decided that, yes, I will spend the 2 days in Bayeux, and then 1 day each in MSM, Dinan and Rennes. That way, we spend a day driving along the coast (in summer, a day may be all we want to do, anyway) and then a day inland, exploring Vitre and/or Fougeres, and then ending in Rennes. I've got several 1-day stops, but I think they balance pretty well with my overall itinerary.

I now have my reservations at the Logis des Remparts, a Bayeux B&B. Wren, I noticed on another thread that you stayed there-- what did you think of it, and how was the parking? Although I considered Hotel D'Argouges, the cost of the B&B was so reasonable (52 E/night), that it made sense to stay there.
Paule

Logis de Remparts was not fancy, but certainly comfortable and adequate. Because our daughter was with us, we got a room with another adjoining room. The place where we ate breakfast was cute with all of their various cidres and other products displayed. Mark was in a lot of pain at the time as I recall!
We went on an all-day tour with Roel Klinkhamer of Victory Tours...(his b & b sounded great as well)

Oops...that posted b4 I was finished!

He was a walking dictionary on Normandy. I thought it was worth the money and so did Mark and my daughter.

I would stay at the Logis again. Christele and her husband are very nice hosts.

Thanks, Wren. How was the parking?
Paule

Hi Progol, In Bayeux, we parked right outside the Logis on the street, no problem. Left our car there the whole time until we left.

Let me know if I can give you any more advice! I am more than happy to reminisce while I help!!