Overlord-Neptune
NormandyONtour
Le Mont Saint-Michel: Private Shuttle
Shuttle Description
Private Shuttle to Le Mont Saint-Michel
The Advantages of choosing a Private Shuttle
→ Our Private Shuttle services include complete flexibility regards transit times, and routes taken. We can stop anytime for a short break on the way, and grab a coffee, juice or a snack enroute, or even pop into a famous local orchard for some Calvados Tasting.
In addition we provide a free central Bayeux, Bayeux Train Station or Bayeux Hotel pick-up at 09:35 (for a 09:45 departure), with an ‘early-bird’ early-morning departure also available at checkout (for Bayeux or Caen-based. clients)
NB: €70 supplement for Caen pick-up / drop-off.
→ Our flexible Private Shuttle to Le Mont Saint-Michel affords the clients the rare opportunity to combine a visit to the Mont with a 1-hr visit to The Normandy Colleville American Cemetery or its stunning new visitor centre (refurbishhed 2019) – which can also be extended to include a 20-minute stop at Omaha Beach. Alternatively visit the fabulous Overlord Museum – situated just outside the cemetery gates – or even a local orchard, for some Cheese & Calvados Tasting, followed by a guided visit to Omaha Beach. This option is available with a Mon – Fri, 09:45 Bayeux Hotel departure (or Mon – Fri, 09:45 departure from Bayeux Train Station). If no options are chosen this shuttle returns to Bayeux at 16:45 (the optional ‘extras’, which are available at checkout, will extend the total time from 7 hrs to appx 9 hrs).
NB: If arriving in Bayeux by train for a 09:35 station check-in (travelling on the 06:00 – 07:00 service from Paris St. Lazare), then the purchase of a ‘modifiable ticket’ will be required (return train options to Paris are between 18:30 and 20:00, depending on the season).
Please see our Premium Transport Solutions for Le Mont Saint-Michel extended options, e.g. 2-hr Collevile US Cemetery & the Collevile US Cemetery ABMC’s multimedia Visitor Centre, with an Omaha Beach extended visit, and up to 4 hrs, (including a sitdown *lunch), inside the Mount. For a total roundtrip of appx 10hrs.
*Lunch not included in the tariff.
→ On the shuttle service to Le Mont Saint-Michel, there is also a ‘Fastpass’ option (Skip-The-Line ticket), which would mean no queueing or waiting inside The Mount at the entrance to The Abbey. Clients wishing to climb up to the top of The Mount to visit the Abbey can purchase this immediately upon entering The Mount (at the Tourist Office, just inside the gate). Upon seeing the lengthy queues in High-Season, clients are always delighted to be able to just pass them on by…
→ You will have your own dedicated driver in a small private group throughout the entire duration of the shuttle-service, who will go out of his / her way to make your day memorable and endeavour to answer your every question.
Important Info for Paris-based clients: This shuttle is suitable for clients who are arriving in Bayeux by train by the 09:35 check-in time [Mon – Fri], from Paris St. Lazare Station (on the Cherbourg line), which is a direct service, often making a brief stop in Caen 12 mins before Bayeux. (Note: Sometimes clients need to change platforms in Caen, but more than often not! So, if unsure, please check with the ticket-controller onboard the train and be sure to stay ON the train at Caen, unless you’ve otherwise been directed (refer to the info on rail ticket!).
Should clients wish to choose any of our optional ‘extras’ at checkout, then please note that a ‘modifiable’ train ticket will be required since delays are frequently encountered at The Mount whilst queueing for the free shuttle bus to & from The Mount itself. Clients will then certainly be required to depart Bayeux for Paris on the last train at appx. 20:00.
*NB: Clients must check train timetables ahead of booking with us. It is the client’s responsibility to be at the scheduled pick-up location on time. Kindly also ensure to familiarize yourself with our T&Cs before travelling.
Travel in style, safely…
Our D-Day Private Tours & Services are conducted in spacious 8/16-seat vehicles with air-conditioning front and rear, a fridge to keep your water chilled and onboard Wi-Fi for all of your devices. Our Private-Tour vehicles are also equipped with the latest in vehicle security & passenger safety technology.
Travel in style, safely…
Our Private Shuttle to Le Mont Saint-Michel (and Group Shuttle beginning 2024), are conducted in spacious 8/16-seat vehicles with air-conditioning front and rear, a fridge to keep your water chilled and onboard Wi-Fi for all of your devices. Our vehicles are also equipped with the latest in vehicle security & passenger safety technology.
The Tourist Attractions you may choose to add to your visit on this service:
Le Mont Saint-Michel: Min 3-hr visit inside with options to visit one of the following:
[A] *Omaha Beach & The Normandy Colleville American Cemetery (+90 mins)
[B] *Calvados Tasting at a famous Normandy Orchard enroute & a visit to Omaha Beach (+90 mins)
[C] *Omaha Beach & Colleville Cemetery Visitor Centre (+90 mins)
[D] *The Overlord Museum (+90 mins)
Please note: The asterisks *indicate options which clients may choose from and can add in the form of an ‘extra’ at checkout.
Note: Option [D] will require cleints to purchase tickets upon entry.
Duration: This is typically a 7-hr service (without any options) OR 9 hrs – if *options selected. Note that The Mont is incredibly unpredictable regards queues for the free shuttle bus on site, therefore our return time may vary (up to as much as TWO hours in Summer!). If travelling to Bayeux by train, then please be aware that only option [A] is available.
If clients should be seeking further in-built flexibility & extended customization options (including a 4-hr visit inside The Mont), NormandyONtour recommends either a Full-Day Premium Transport Solutions, or our Flagship Overlord-Neptune multiple-day D-Day & Cultural Experience Tour. With both of these customizable services the above visiting time can be extened to suit.
Pick-up Times & Locations
→ If you are based in Bayeux then we suggest a Mon-Fri, 08:45 ‘Early-Bird’ hotel start for this service (or 09:45, where no options are chosen), returning to your Bayeux hotel at 17:00. If selecting either Omaha Beach & Colleville US Cemetery, its Visitor Centre, Overlord Museum OR Calvados Tasting *options, then an 08:45 early-bird start is strongly recommended.
Alternatively, if booking a simple shuttle service (without options), why not book a Mon – Fri, 09:45 Place de Québec pick-up in the centre of Bayeux and take a morning stroll through Bayeux and grab a fresh coffee & croissant before your shuttle departs?
→ If you are based in Caen then you may book a 09:45 Caen pick-up & drop-off at checkout. (*Please note that since we are Bayeux-based, there is a supplement payable for Caen pick-up / drop-off services). Again, if choosing *options we strongly recommend an 08:45 ‘Early-Bird’ start.
*Check-in is always 10 mins prior to scheduled departure.
NB: Please be sure to check all train schedules ahead of travelling. Kindly refer to ‘Helpful Info’ menu for pick-up location maps.
*Our Flagship ‘Overlord-Neptune Tour’ clients, benefit from a completely customizable itinerary, 7-days-a-week.
Lastly: The following itinerary is ‘flexible’ for Private clients and extended times inside The Mount are available upon request (see ‘Special Requirements’ section of booking form). If given suffucient notice, we can usually also make restaurant reservations on your behalf.
The Shuttle is ON…
Overlord-Neptune
Le Mont Saint-Michel Private Shuttle – Flexible Start Times and Customizable options
Welcome Aboard
We suggest a 09:45 start (or 08:45 ‘Early-Bird’ if options booked)
Public toilets available
Bayeux : Place de Québec or Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off option
Place de Québec is situated just around the corner from The Bayeux Tourist Information Office. We can pick up here anytime Mon – Fri for Le Mont Saint-Michel Private Shuttle. There are toilet facilities here, as well as a cafe nearby – ‘La Garde Manger’ – perfect for passengers who wish a quick coffee prior to departure. Passengers can specify their shuttle departure time and designated pick-up /drop-off location on our booking system. (Our Bayeux Train Station pick-up is at 09:30 Mon-Fri and we will always wait for you). Private Shuttle clients also benefit from a free Bayeux Hotel pick-up / drop-off option. (08:45 or 09:45 departures are also available from Caen).
1 hour option (+ 30 mins transit)
Options on this Private Shuttle service:
We have extended the route to include these very popular requests for visits from clients last year. If clients opt to add the corresponding extras at checkout kindly also add 1.5 to 2hrs to your expected itinerary.
[A] A guided visit to Omaha Beach (30 mins) plus Normandy Colleville American *Cemetery (1hr)
[B] Calvados Tasting (30 mins) at a famous local orchard, plus a guided visit to Omaha Beach (45 mins)
[C] The American Cemetery’s new 2019 multimedia Visitor Centre (45 mins) plus a guided visit to Omaha Beach (30 mins)
[D] Overlord Museum (90 mins)
2018, D-Day 74th Anniversary : Le Mont Saint-Michel Jump
The Big Red One – ‘BRO’
No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!
20 minute visit – includes freetime
Omaha Beach: Options A, B & C (20 to 30-minute visit)
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of United States Army troops of the First Division nicknamed ‘The Big Red One’. However faced with the 12,020 experienced combat troops of the German 352nd Infantry Division, the battle-hardened 1st Infantry Division had its work cut out. During this memorable visit you’ll find out why nothing here went according to plan on D-Day. Thus we shall discover how ‘Bloody Omaha’ earned its name…


60 to 90-minute visit – includes freetime
Public toilets available
Colleville American Cemetery: Option A (60-minute visit)
Alternative: 1 hour 15 minutes including Omaha Beach or 1-hr visit without Omaha Beach.
On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established the temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. After the war, the present-day cemetery was established a short distance to the east of the original site. Come and honour the graves of our fallen Heroes, discover the gold-embossed gravestones of the three Medal of Honour recipients – listen to some stories from their lives – and peruse the wall of the missing upon which are engraved the names of 1557 servicemen never recovered…
45-minute visit – before entering the US cemetery
Public toilets available
US Cemetery Visitor Centre : Option C (45-minute visit)
One-third of the building’s 30,000 square feet is dedicated exhibit space.
Using personal stories of participants and a mix of narrative text, photos, films, interactive displays and artifacts, exhibits portray the competence, courage and sacrifice of Allied forces.
The visitor center is designed to complement and enhance the experience of visiting the cemetery. By relating the global significance and meaning of Operation Overlord, the center pays tribute to the values and sacrifices of the World War II generation. After experiencing the cemetery and the center, visitors will have a greater appreciation of those participating in the Normandy invasion, the achievement of America and her Allies in conducting the greatest amphibious invasion in history and the importance of honoring our war dead.
In honoring the brave Americans who lie far from home, as well as those who survived the battle, the center will inspire future generations to explore, understand and emulate the values for which they gallantly fought.
It also conveys a sense of remembrance and provides visitors an opportunity to reflect upon a pivotal moment in World War II and realize how dramatically it affected the course of world history.
45-minute visit – before entering the US cemetery
Public toilets available
The Overlord Museum: Option D (90-minute visit)
Located a very short distance from “Omaha Beach”, facing the round-a-bout that provides access to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, The Overlord Museum chronicles the period of the Allied landing until the liberation of Paris. The collection was collected by someone who was both a witness to the conflict and involved in the reconstruction of Normandy. Personal items from individual soldiers and armoured fighting vehicles from the six armies in Normandy are presented as a series of reconstructions showing over 35 vehicles, tanks and guns.
Free navette shuttle ferries passengers from the parking areas to The Mount.
20 minutes – including 10-min shuttle
13:30 – *Scheduled arrival at Le Mont Saint-Michel
*If options chosen.
Upon arrival, your driver will explain where to purchase your skip-the-line ‘Fastpass’ entrance ticket (inside The Mount) and will also accompany you to the free navette shuttle-bus (which parks opposite your ‘meet up point’ for the end of your visit). The free bus departs the parking area for The Mount every 5-10 minutes (it is only a short 10-min ride).
Note: We remind clients that, as this is only a shuttle service – and not a guided tour service – that drivers typically do not enter The Mount. However once inside, you will find multilingual self-guide pamplets, audio-guides (Abbey), as well as free Abbey guided group-tour – run daily at 15:00 (in English) – by the staff at The Mount. In addition we can offer to book a Private Mont Saint-Michel Guide for your Private-Shuttle group (enquiries via email).
Getting Familiar with The Mont
On the bus…
Getting Familiar
Depending on the seat you occupy on the short navette shuttle, you may not catch a glimpse of anything photo-worthy, not just yet…
So why not take the time to re-familiarize yourself with the interior layout of The Mont, and find out ‘what’s where’?
Note : Click to the right to open a larger image.
14:00 – 16:50: Just under 3 hours freetime
Freetime inside Le Mont-Saint-Michel (3hrs)
It can be heavy-going climbing all the stairs inside, and it is impossible to see everything in 3 hours, so why not start half-way up, at the Abbey, and make your way down from there? You may also wish to pick yourself up a mulitilingual audio-guide whilst visiting The Abbey, for an in-depth commentary on its history. These audio-guides are clients’ preferred self-guide option since, by opting for a relaxing mini-presentation, one leaves the oft noisy bustle behind and benefits from an altogether more focussed experience. It also offers one very worthwhile bonus, namely : This ‘guided-tour’ will be one delivered at your own pace…
Note : There is an additional small fee (€3) payable for the Abbey’s audio guides once inside. Simply enquire about hiring one at the welcome desk as you enter the Abbey.
Clockwise, from top left: The Battle of La Rochelle, The Battle of Agincourt, The Battle of Patay, Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans
Turning back the clock…
Public toilets available
Stepping Back in Time…
Le Mont Saint-Michel, is one of France’s most recognisable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year and, along with its bay, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 60 buildings within the commune protected in France, classed as historical monuments.
With its population of 50, it has held strategic fortifications since ancient times. Since the 8th century AD, it has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. Since it was constructed during the reign of feudal societies, this feudalism is also reflected in its hierarchical construction, namely: With God, The Abbey & Monastery ‘on top’ ; The Great Halls below; then the stores and housing and at the bottom, outside the walls, the houses for fishermen and farmers.
Although the commune, situated on an island just a few hundred metres from land, was rendered vulerable to attack due to the ebbing tides, it was also rendered accessible at low tide to many pilgrims to its Abbey. Nonetheless, despite this perceived weakness among those who would seek to conquer it, it still remained dramatically defendable since an incoming tide effectively stranded, or drowned, would-be assailants.
The Mont has witnessed many battles over the course of time and while it has never been taken in battle, in 1425 it was almost lost when more than eight thousand English troops were sent against it in a full attack. Its honour was upheld by the valiant efforts of a mere 125 French knights.
Later Lious XI , realising the ‘benefits’ of its natural defense, was also not completely oblivious to its merits as a secure dwelling. Thereafter the abbey began to be used regularly – as a jail…
Clockwise, from top left: The Battle of La Rochelle, The Battle of Agincourt, The Battle of Patay, Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans
Turning back the clock…
Public toilets available
A Historical Timeline…
• 708: Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, founds a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Beginning of the first pilgrimages
• 965: Founding of the Benedictine monastery
• 1020-1180: Construction of the Romanesque Abbey
• 1204: King Philip Augustus takes possession of the Mont Saint-Michel, previously the property of the Duchy of Normandy
• 1204-28: Construction of La Merveille (“The Marvel”), topped by the cloister
• 1337-1453: The English try to seize the island during The 100 Years’ War
• 1789: The site becomes state property and is converted into a prison
•1864: The Mont Saint-Michel becomes a protected historical monument
2018 : Some 40 medieval graves were unearthed under the main street of the village. Most of the site’s earliest known inhabitants will undergo carbon dating and health analyses.
Little known facts…
Public toilets available
Sweet Little Mysteries…
Medieval construction work over rugged terrain: Around the year 1000 a pre-Romanesque church was built, then in the eleventh century a Romanesque abbey and, in the thirteenth century, a sublime Gothic elevation known as the “Merveille” (the “Marvel”). Comprised of two buildings of three stories it perches precariously, and as if by miracle, on a single sloping rock, which is crowned by a cloister and large refectory.
Measuring 3.5 meters, and weighing in close to a ton (at 820 kilos), ‘The Slayer of the Dragon of the Apocalypse’ perches at the tip of the Abbey’s spire, an astounding 156 meters (some 300 feet) above sea level. The statue of Saint Michael, the warrior angel who stands atop the spire has been carved with his sword held aloft, his heel crushing the dragon – Satan or sin.
It was dethroned, meticulously transported, before being repaired & restored and finally redeemed in 2016, when The Archangel Saint-Michel was transported back to the lofty summit of Mont Saint-Michel. How this herculean feat was acheived is something perhaps to quizz your driver about…
Building on such treacherous ground – on a small rock in a bay that contains some of Europe’s strongest currents and most powerful tides – must have seemed like the ultimate act of faith. For the pilgrims flocking to pay homage to the archangel, the trip to reach this heavenly precinct was itself a true test of faith: Centuries ago the shore was a full seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from the island (five kilometers farther than it is today). One had to wait until low tide, when the sea receded and left a flat strand of grayish mud, and get the timing right. The crossing on foot could be dangerous, since high tide can rise up to 45 feet and sweep in at some 200 feet per minute ! Moreover, at low tide the gray, claylike sand can suddenly give way to pools of quicksand where an inexpert trekker can become trapped. In 1318, eighteen pilgrims drowned in the bay and another dozen died in the quicksand. Now there are organized treks with trained guides ; even so a group of tourists got caught in the sand in 2013 and needed rescuing…
Free navette shuttle ferries passengers back to the parking areas from The Mont.
20 minutes: including 10-min shuttle
17:00 – Time to make our way back to the pick-up point
*We will depart on schedule at 17:40 and we ask clients to begin planning their return to the navette shuttle in plenty of time.
We recommend that you head back from The Mount no later than 17:00. It typically takes around 20 minutes to get back to the shuttle parking area. If you are down awaiting the navette shuttle at 17:10 then you have 20 minutes until you meet up with your driver at 17:30, which is sufficient time.
NB: During High-Season and other busy periods, it may take up to 45 minutes (or more!) to rejoin the driver at the designated pick-up point. Kindly bear this in mind.
Return to the meet-up point by 16:30
17:30 back at Meet-Up point
Preparing for departure
We kindly request that clients are back at the meet-up point for 17:30 at the latest (we depart on schedule at 17:40)
Return to the meet-up point by 17:30
17:40 scheduled departure
17:40 – Our scheduled Departure (*If options chosen)
We will depart the parking area at 17:40. This will leave us plenty of time to make our way back to Bayeux for approximately 19:15 (Caen 19:50).
NB: This schedule has been designed for demonstration purposes only (to outline our suggested timeline) and so we ask clients to be aware that if not selecting any extras at checkout, then our current timeline may be in advance at this point on our timeline (by appx. 2 hours).
If clients have not chosen any options on this shuttle (Colleville US Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Calvados Tasting), then we may depart The Mount at appx. 15:00-15.30.
Should clients opt for either of these options, then the details on this page will apply and we will depart The Mount at 17:40.
That is why it is imperative that Paris-based clients purchase a ‘modifiable’ train ticket which permits a return from Bayeux > Paris on the later scheduled (last) train at appx 20:00.
If we should return to Bayeux before 17:00 (*NO options chosen), then we will happily drop clients in central Bayeux, where they could do some brief sightseeing and grab a bite-to-eat whilst awaiting the appx. 18:30 return train departure (Paris). The station is only a 12-15 minute stroll from Place de Québec, in central Bayeux.
Homeward-Bound
1h 40 mins drive back to Bayeux Train Station
We arrive back at Bayeux Station or at your designated Bayeux location (*exact arrival time depending on options chosen, / queues at The Mount / traffic).
We will always depart The Mount on schedule, and at the very latest by 17:40, to ensure that we arrive back in Bayeux in plenty of time for clients to catch the last train at appx 20:00 [Mon-Fri].
NB: Catching the earlier 18:35 train, is 100% possible only if clients choose NO options at checkout.
Please note this request, made via the Special Requirements section of your booking form, is made entirely at the client’s discretion and that we accept NO liability for missed trains due to unforseeable delays at sites visited.
During our relaxing drive back to Bayeux you will have time to reflect on the day’s sightseeing trip and have a casual chat with your Driver-Guide. We always appreciate feedback about your experience of Le Mont Saint-Michel and welcome any last-minute questions. Please do not hesitate to let your driver know if we can be of any further assistance. Thank you for choosing NormandyONtour.
END OF THE SHUTTLE
*17:00 – 19:30 (*variable)
*Your full-day Private Shuttle lasts a total of 8.0 hrs (additional 2 hrs hour if including options).
Drop-Off Times: On weekdays we can return you to your Bayeux/Caen hotel or to Bayeux Train Station, depending on your options chosen at checkout.

ONTour
La Pépinière d'entreprises
de Bayeux Intercom
Z.A. de Nonant, Rue d/Longues Haies
14400, Nonant, Calvados
Normandie, France
Company N°: 835 397 027
Transport License: VP 25 21 02 002
Chauffeur Licence (VTC): 01417003201
Guide-Conférencier: GC 21-14-009P
Admin & Bookings: +33 (0) 783 810 921
Transport Solutions: +33 (0) 769 227 073
Get In Touch






