Paris to Mont St. Michael
 

Is this good for a day trip in Feb.

Oui. bus tours i don't know if run daily in Feb but can go on own by hopping the up to 186 mph TGV bullet train to Rennes, then by bus that meets train right to the Mont (40 miles from Rennes). Par example: lv Paris Montparnasse daily 9:05 ar Rennes 11:08 lv bus from station (operator Couriers Bretons; about 10 euro each way) daily at 11:30am ar Mont 12:50. Leave mont 16:45 ar Rennes 18:20, TGV train back 18:35 from Rennes ar Paris 20:40; later TGVs from Rennes possible. Or leave Paris 7:05 take 9:45 bus and have longer on the mont. Railpasses not valid on bus; are on TGV trains (reservations obligatory). 4 hours on the Mont in Feb should be more than enough to see the abbey and few other sights and devour one of Mere Poulard (sp?)'s famous omelettes!

Le Mont St-Michel is really too far from Paris for a reasonable day trip, unless you're happy spending a lot of time on the train and/or bus. Far better to make it a two-day trip, spending the night on or near the Mont. Keep in mind that days will still be short in February, limiting sightseeing time.

That was a wonderful explanation, and I know that people have done it, but that is an awfully long time to invest in mere transpaoration when there are so many other ways that amount of time could be put to better use.

While technically doable in one day I wouldn;t in Feb - the days are too short and there's too much time spent in transit for the few hours there. I might risk it in the longer hours of summer - but would really reco an overnight - so you have time to fully explore the Mt - the climb to the top along with a little browsing can easily take a couple of hours alone.,

Go out to Rennes in the evening. See Rennes and MSM the next day. Return in the evening. Perhaps a light supper on the train.

<i>Et voil&agrave;!</i> No daylight time wasted traveling.

About time wasted on the train/bus - this may not be bad as you get to see a wide swathe of France - the qunitessential French villages in the distance, a bit of Brittany. I've never found train travel fatiguing but exhilarating and relaxing. Of course it's all the your personal outlook, but don't necessarily disdain such a day trip, especially if the person thus would never get out of Paris. But i appreciate the suggestion to slow down too.

Enjoying the scenery doesn't work very well on high-speed trains--the scenery goes past before you really get a chane to look at it.

If staying overnight in Rennes, try eating at L&eacute;on le Cochon.

I still enjoy the scenery on high speed trains, though it is hard to take photographs.

Keith

I notice that sncf.com allows you to book both the TGV and the connecting bus.

Is that normal? Is the sncf reservation valid for the bus? I'm asking because it seems the bus is a private operator.

Also, how is the connection time for the bus? With sncf, does it allow a reserved spot (not necessarily a specific seat number) for the bus?

Sorry, my first time to Paris.

Just found out the answer to one of my questions. 22 minute connection from the train to/from bus.