MSM - inside or outside the walls?
Jan 22nd, 2007, 05:52 PM
#21
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Mont St. Michel is lovely - I really recommend it, we stayed there for the second time in September. But it is not for someone who can't walk well, definitely. I have photos at neesie.org, you can see all the steps, the hills, etc. We actually stayed on the Mont, and I think it's really worth doing. However, there are also hotels within a very short drive - I mean, like a few minutes down the road. I know there is a Bed and Breakfast nearby that was highly rated, and there are actually a lot of B&B's that are on the way in.
If you are staying on the Mont, you can have your own car there. After hours, it will be a little bit of a walk from where you are parked to the Mont. It is BEAUTIFUL at night! My favorite thing in 2005 was going in May, it didn't get dark until 11pm or so! In September, it got dark much quicker. But this time we didn't miss the tide.
If you are staying on the Mont, you can have your own car there. After hours, it will be a little bit of a walk from where you are parked to the Mont. It is BEAUTIFUL at night! My favorite thing in 2005 was going in May, it didn't get dark until 11pm or so! In September, it got dark much quicker. But this time we didn't miss the tide.
Jan 23rd, 2007, 08:58 AM
#23
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cls2paris. Thanks for the hotel link. The view looks lovely. Is this the closest hotel to the causeway? Is there day parking on the mont end of the causeway, so one doesn't have to walk the first 2 miles? I think I'd be tired before I ever started the climb.
Jan 23rd, 2007, 11:53 AM
#24
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The hotel is the last one before the causeway. The public parking is closer to MSM than the hotel but it is still a walk to it from the lot.
We walked there in the late afternoon, it didn't seem like 2 miles but maybe it was. We stayed on MSM until after sunset and enjoyed the magic that dutyfree mentions. But we also got to sit on our hotel balcony and look it all lit up - and that was magical also (or maybe it was the wine we were drinking). In the morning, we drove and parked in the lot.
Have fun! I really enjoyed visiting this wonderful place.
We walked there in the late afternoon, it didn't seem like 2 miles but maybe it was. We stayed on MSM until after sunset and enjoyed the magic that dutyfree mentions. But we also got to sit on our hotel balcony and look it all lit up - and that was magical also (or maybe it was the wine we were drinking). In the morning, we drove and parked in the lot.
Have fun! I really enjoyed visiting this wonderful place.
Feb 1st, 2007, 05:27 AM
#25
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We are also planning a visit to the Mont in May. We will be arriving in the afternoon between 3 and 4 p.m. I would imagine. If we stay in a B&B outside the Mont will we have enough time to visit the Mont after taking time to ck in? We will have a car and have no difficulty walking. Assuming we can get there no later than 5p.m. is there time to park somewhere and walk in? At what time do we need to leave the Mont? We will be there in the morning as well for a few hours before heading to Paris. I did visit the website for the Mont but am still a bit confused.
Feb 1st, 2007, 03:29 PM
#26
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Hi normal - you can go to MSM after 5. We did that and wandered around looking at the views, had a nice dinner, did some shopping and walked back to the hotel. I'm not sure when the last tour of the inside is but I seem to recall a nighttime tour but probably not inside. Get there early the next morning for your tour of the building.
Feb 1st, 2007, 04:16 PM
#27
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You can find opening times, tides, etc on MSM's official site:
www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/accueil_gb.htm
Last admission to the abbey in May is 6pm, and you have an hour to complete the abbey tour.
The restaurants down on the main street will still be open, but not sure about the shops. When I went in September, the shops basically started to close about 30-45 minutes after the abbey did.
www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/accueil_gb.htm
Last admission to the abbey in May is 6pm, and you have an hour to complete the abbey tour.
The restaurants down on the main street will still be open, but not sure about the shops. When I went in September, the shops basically started to close about 30-45 minutes after the abbey did.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 09:03 AM
#28
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we are staying on the mont in Sept. and I am wondering if it will be safe to leave our large suitcase in the trunk of our rental car and just take a smaller one (for the steps..etc). Has anyone done this? I worry that someone might break in to the trunk...but to lug that monster suitcase is hurtful to think of.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 11:07 PM
#29
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Pooga: obvioiusly this would be at your own risk, but we left most of our luggage locked in our trunk which was in the parking lot closest to the entryway (reserved for hotel guests).
To make it less obvious we were leaving items in the car, we stopped at a rest stop well in advance of MSM and we took the time to place our overnight suitcase, computer and camera in the back seat. This way we didn't have to expose the trunk upon arriving at the Mont.
My vote is for staying on the Mont--it was so romantic out on the ramparts at night and great fun watching from our hotel window the next morning how they clean, and restock supplies via electric vehicles/carts.
To make it less obvious we were leaving items in the car, we stopped at a rest stop well in advance of MSM and we took the time to place our overnight suitcase, computer and camera in the back seat. This way we didn't have to expose the trunk upon arriving at the Mont.
My vote is for staying on the Mont--it was so romantic out on the ramparts at night and great fun watching from our hotel window the next morning how they clean, and restock supplies via electric vehicles/carts.
