We have two free nights in May after a few days in Paris, and would like to visit Mont St. Michel. Should we rent a car in Paris and drive? Any recommendations on places to stay? We will need to be back in Paris on Day 3 in time to catch a train to Geneva. Thanks!!

When I visited Mont. St. Michel. I took the TGV from CDG to Rennes. I picked up my car at the train station and drove to my B&B in Mortain, 45 mins away. However you can drive directly toward MSM and stay at one of the many hotels between Pontorson and MSM itself. I remember I had an excellent lunch at the Mercure hotel about 1.5 miles from MSM; their restaurant is called Le Pre-Sale. Delicious lamb from the salt marshes as well as filet of sole.

la jacotiere mont saint michel We stayed at this b&b. We would stay there again. They recommended a small restuarant down a couple of miles along the highway. The food was excellent and the prices so reasonable. We ate there everynight. Seemed to be mostly local people there.

try to stay a night on the Mount.
It's magical after dark when all
the day trippers have left.

The easiest is to take the train to Rennes, pick up a car there, and drive to le MSM. I wouldn't spend two nights there, though. I'd combine it with a night in St-Malo or Fougères. Then back to Rennes, drop off the car, and back to Paris.

I agree one night would probably be enough. I took public trans there but agree with those who suggest taking a train to a hub such as Rennes and driving from there. The Mount is wondeful in the evening, night, early a.m.