Hello,

What is the best/fastest way to reach Mont St. Michel from Paris (we won't have a car), and can we do this in a day trip?

Thanks very much!

It is physically possible to do it a day, but IMO that is too much travel for the amount of time you would spend there. Do an overnight on the Mont and enjoy it at its best.

Take the TGV (high speed train) to Rennes. That takes about 2 1/2 hours. Then either rent a car or take a bus (about 1 1/2 hours).

There are also some long one day motor coach tours from Paris, but I don't have details on them.

Keith

No, as keith says, I would not attempt this as a day trip - 8 hours of travel for, what, two hours of sightseeing? Not a reasonable equation.

How do I make arrangements to stay on the Mont - are the accomodations actually in the abbey? Thanks

No not in the abbey but there are a handful of hotels on the island itself and a gaggle of hotels, motels and a campground on the mainland just opposite the Mont (about two miles from it) and more hotels in Pontorson, the railhead for the Mont six miles from it. Staying on the island at night is surrealistic as is seeing it from afar from the mainland when the whole island with the abbey gloriously crowning it is wondrously illuminated - a view you can't get from the island so even if staying there, walk out along the causeway to see this smashing sight.

No, I don't think the monks like to share their rooms, but there are plenty of hotels on the mont itself and nearby across the bay. Some people like to stay right on the mont and enjoy the quietude of the place after the crowds leave, and some prefer to be across the bay for the great views. Up to you. A google search will yield plenty of accommodation possibilities.

E-mail: [email protected]

This is the Office de Tourisme e-mail address - ask them about hotels - their web site probably lists them all

or phone: 02 33 60 14 30 - don't dial the first zero if calling from outside France.

15 hotels on Mont itself - La Mere Poulard (02 33 60 14 01) is the most famous - its resto is famous for its Mere Poulard omelettes.

And though not optimal i wouldn't dismiss a day trip - yes two hours each way by TGV train to Rennes then 80 minutes by bus right to the Mont from the Rennes station - could leave Paris at 9am be on island at 12:50, lv island at 16:45 (4:45pm) be back in paris about 9pm - long day but wonderful day - you also see the countryside as you ride the up to 186 mph TGV train to Rennes - better to stay over, much better but if day trip is only way to do it go for it!

Unless things have changed in the last few months, there is info about the hotels on the Mont online, but you can't reverve rooms online.

I booked my room by fax. It costs pennies to fax to France from the US and it helps with the language barrier.

Keith