Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
France. (The stone blocks on the steps up indicate the regions in France from where they
came.) A display of letters they sent home (with English translations) offers insights into
the soldiers' lives. From the lookout, take in the sensational views over Mont St-Michel.
Sleep on or near the island so that you can visit Mont St-Michel early and late. What mat-
ters is being here before or after the crush of tourists. Sleeping on the island—inside the
walls—is a great experience for medieval romantics who don't mind the headaches asso-
ciated with spending a night here, including average rooms and baggage hassles. To reach
a room on the island, you'll need to carry your bags 10 minutes uphill from the
navette
(shuttle) stop. Take only what you need for one night in a smaller bag, but don't leave any
luggage visible in your car.
Hotels near the island in La Caserne are a good deal cheaper and require less walk-
ing—you can park right at your hotel. All are a short walk from the free and frequent
shuttle to the island, allowing easy access at any time.
On the Island
There are eight small hotels on the island, and because most visitors day-trip here, finding
a room is generally no problem (but finding an elevator is). Though some pad their profits
by requesting that guests buy dinner from their restaurant,
requiring
it is illegal. Higher-
priced rooms generally have bay views. Several hotels are closed from November until
Easter.
The following hotels are listed in order of altitude; the first hotels are lowest.
$$$ Hôtel St. Pierre***
and
Hôtel Croix Blanche***,
whichsharethesameowners
and reception desk, sit side by side (reception at St. Pierre). Each provides comfortable
roomsatinflated prices,somewithgoodviews.Bothhaveseveralfamilyloftrooms(non-
view Db-€170-190, view Db-€210-225, Tb or Qb-€220-280
;
lower rates are for Hôtel
Croix Blanche, higher rates for Hôtel St. Pierre; breakfast-€15, guest computer, Wi-Fi, tel.
02 33 60 14 03,
www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr
,
contact@auberge-saint-pierre.fr
)
.
$$$ Hôtel le Mouton Blanc**
delivers a fair midrange value, with 15 rooms split
between two buildings. The main building
(bâtiment principal)
is best, with cozy rooms,
wood beams, and decent bathrooms; the more modern “annex” has cramped bathrooms
(Db-€145, loft Tb-€160, loft Qb-€195, tel. 02 33 60 14 08,
www.lemoutonblanc.fr
,
con-
$$$ Hôtel la Vieille Auberge**
is a small place with sharp rooms at fair prices
(Db-€120,Tb/Qb-€150-160;springforoneofthefourgreatterracerooms—Db-€150,Tb-
