Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sidetableviewsuptotheabbey(whentheirumbrellasdon'tblockit).
La Vieille Auberge
has a broad terrace with the next-best views to the abbey and, so far, no big umbrellas.
La Croix Blanche
owns a small deck with abbey views and window-front tables with bay
views, and
Les Terrasses Poulard
has indoor views to the bay.
Picnics:
This is the romantic's choice. The small lanes above the main street hide
scenicpicnicspots,suchasthesmallparkatthebaseoftheancienttreadwheelramptothe
upper abbey. You'll catch late sun by following the ramp that leads you through the
gen-
darmerie
and down behind the island (on the left as you face the main entry to the island).
Sandwiches, pizza by the slice, salads, and drinks are all available to go at shops along
the main drag. But you'll find a better selection at the modest
supermarket
located on the
By Train, Bus, or Taxi
Bus and train service to Mont St-Michel is a challenge. Depending on where you're com-
ing from, you may find that you're forced to arrive and depart early or late—leaving you
with too much or too little time on the island.
From Mont St-Michel to Paris:
There are several ways to get to Paris. Most travel-
ers take the regional bus from Mont St-Michel to Rennes or Dol-de-Bretagne and connect
directly to the TGV (4/day via Rennes, 1/day via Dol-de-Bretagne, 4 hours total via either
route from Mont St-Michel to Paris' Gare Montparnasse; €12.40 for bus to Rennes, €6.40
for bus to Dol-de-Bretagne; not covered by railpass, buy ticket from driver, all explained
inEnglishat
www.destination-montsaintmichel.com
).Youcanalsotakethe20-minutebus
ridetoPontorson(seenext)andcatchoneofaveryfewtrainsfromthere(3/day,5.5hours,
transfer in Caen, St-Malo, or Rennes).
From Mont St-Michel to Pontorson:
The nearest train station to Mont St-Michel is
five miles away, in Pontorson (called Pontorson/Mont St-Michel). It's connected to Mont
St-Michel bya20-minute busride (12/dayJuly-Aug,9/day Sept-June, tel. 0214132015,
www.accueilmontsaintmichel.com
)
or by taxi (€20, €30 at night and on weekends, tel. 02
33 60 33 23 or 02 33 60 82 70).
From Pontorson by Train to: Bayeux
(2-3/day, 2 hours; also see Hôtel Churchill's
shuttlevanservice—
here
);
Rouen
(2/dayviaCaen,4hours;4/dayviaParis,7hours);
Din-
an
(3/day, 1.5-2.5 hours, transfer in Dol-de-Bretagne);
St-Malo
(2/day, 1-2 hours, transfer
in Dol-de-Bretagne);
Amboise
(2-3/day; 5.5-7.5 hours via transfers in Caen and Tours, or
via multiple transfers through Paris).
