Next June my son and I will be in Normandy, staying in Bayeux for a few days. We'll have a rental car. On the map it looks like we could drive to Mont St. Michel for a day. Would that be possible? Is it worth the visit? Anyone know a web site for Mont St. MIchel?

Here is one site for Mont St. Michel<BR><BR>http://www.monum.fr/m_stmichel/indexa.dml?lang=en<BR><BR>No one can tell you whether it is worth your visit. Keep in mind that Mont is a very popular tour destination and it is full of tourists during the day. The stores naturally cater to these crowds. If you stay overnight at Mont, you can visit the evening light and sound exhibit at the Abbey except on Sunday nights. Wonder around the Mont below flood lit Abbey. If you are lucky, you might see the famous tide coming in.<BR><BR>If you only visit the Mont during the day hours, it is just another site with a lot of tourists and kitchy souvenirs.

We visited the Mont for 1 day in Sept -- yes, tourists like ourselves but not "elbow to elbow" & yes, I have a general memory of some shops at the lower level. <BR><BR>It's really a matter of what your eye sees -- we remember the lovely view from the top, the fantastic structure of the church, the mix of arches, the steps up to it and, yes, a great apple dessert before leaving. The destructive changes done by Napoleon's soldiers when it was used as a jail were much more offensive than any kitchy souvenirs which we simply ignored. <BR><BR>So, what is important to your eye? <BR><BR>And, yes, I am "sounding off" -- tired of those who thumbs down places of grandure & history just because they lack the focus to ignore shops. Wish it was as easy to ignore Europe's pickpocks LOL!

The "feel" of Mont St Michel is best at night or early in the morning (the lights at night make it magical; the fog in the early morning sun makes it mystical). Try to time your visit to include one or both of those times.<BR><BR>The tourist souvenir/shops areas are more toward the center of the place; if you walk around the "edges", it's not as crowded. I got a fantastic photo of the shadow of the buildings on the water one late afternoon.<BR><BR>Worth it? Well, I stood there in awe, picturing those spunky monks hauling all the stone across the ocean (much more dramatic when the abbey was built) to erect such beautiful buildings.

Here's another website: http://www.mont-saint-michel.net/<BR>You could drive for a day, it's about 123 km (76 miles). Try to be there early before the tour buses arrive! It is indeed a touristy destination but worth a visit in my opinion. When you're up on Mont St. Michel it is spectacular to see how the Mont is slowly being surrounded by the sea. There are lots of souvenir shops, restaurants and bars but also the Abbey that you can visit, the narrow streets to walk around. Besides, Mont St. Michel is on the World's Heritage List.

I think it is also worth remembering that “it was ever thus”. Mont St Michel was a tourist magnet 500 years ago (except they called them pilgrims then) and the village below the abbey was there to serve the pilgrims, providing lodgings, food, drink and souvenirs. Just like it does now for tourists. Perhaps the souvenirs were of higher quality then (what no Mont St Michel snow globes?). So, in that sense, even the tacky/cheesy/kitschy village is authentic.

I just got back from a trip to that area. I had always wanted to see Mont St. Michel and I'm glad I took the time. Seeing it from a distance was the same thrill for me as spotting the Eiffel Tower or Coluseum for the first time. We too were in Bayeaux and after a day of visiting the tapestry, the American Cemetary and other D-Day beaches, we headed for Mont St. Michel in the late afternoon to spend the night. I'm glad we did. It is beautiful at night. We were at the top by 9:30 the next morning and were able to walk the streets practically alone. By noon it was packed. By 1:30 we were on our way. I knew it would be crowded but for me it was overwhelmingly crowded. The other poster is correct, walking on the outside ramparts makes a huge difference!Bottom line, I'd try to overnight it to see it early and enjoy it before all of the tour buses arrive.

Thanks to all for your responses.

My husband and I spent a day driving along the coast and came upon MSM by accident. It was around late afternoon and the sun was falling. It was really beautiful and striking. Even if you only spend 2 hours, it is worth it. The crowds weren't too bad. I will certainly never forget it.