Seasonal train service Paris – Pontorson
Daily return train service operating during the high season
The seasonal Paris - Le Mont Saint-Michel train service operated during the high season. It should be possible to view the precise route and tickets available on Sncfconnect from early April.
Practical information:
🔁 One return train trip daily, at the following times approximately (times vary according to the day of the week): depart Gare de Paris Montparnasse 7:32am / return from Gare de Pontorson 6:14pm.
🕔 Duration of train journey Pontorson – Paris c.4 hours.
🚉 11 station stops along the way: Avranches, Folligny, Villedieu-les-Poêles, Vire, Flers, Briouze, Argentan, Surdon, L'Aigle, Verneuil-sur-Avre and Dreux, making it possible to return easily to further stations at Rambouillet, Chartres, Alençon, Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie and Domfront (see map below)
🚲 Bikes, even if not dismantled, can be taken on board for free (but note that the number of spaces for bikes is limited – reserve a space for your bike for free on Sncf-connect).
🎫 Search timetables and reserve tickets from April.
Returning to your starting point
How to return to Rambouillet by train?
Rather than changing in Paris, we suggest you plan for a final short day of cycling (50km), making use of a 100% signposted stage.
- Train journey Pontorson - Dreux
- Leave at 6:14pm
- Arrive at 9:17pm
- Cycling stages Dreux - Rambouillet
- Dreux - Villiers-le-Morhier (25 km) following the Vallée Royale de l'Eure (signposted on roads shared with motorized traffic)
- Villiers-le-Morhier - Rambouillet (25 km) following the Veloscenic cycle route (signposted on roads shared with motorized traffic)
To visit: if you haven’t had time on the outward journey, on your return trip, do make the most of a little detour to the Château de Maintenon or stop at Epernon!
How to return to Chartres by train?
Just as proposed with the return journey to Rambouillet, we suggest you plan a final short day of cycling (50km), making use of a 100% signposted stage. This could allow you the opportunity to discover some stages of the Veloscenic cycle route that you may not have explored if you left from Chartres.
- Train journey Pontorson - Dreux
- Depart at 6:14pm
- Arrive at 9:17pm
- Cycling stages Dreux - Chartres
- Dreux - Villiers-le-Morhier (25 km) following the Vallée Royale de l'Eure (signposted on roads shared with motorized traffic)
- Villiers-le-Morhier - Chartres (25 km) following the Veloscenic cycle route (signposted on roads shared with motorized traffic)
To visit: the Château de Maintenon or enjoy a refreshing stop in one of the charming Eure-side villages between Maintenon and Chartres.
How to return to Alençon by train?
You can return to Alençon by train by changing at Argentan, then taking another regional TER train (also accepting your bike on board for free). The train journey from one point to the other should take 3 hours, so you should arrive at c.9:15pm in Alençon, a town proud of its lace-making traditions and more.
- Train journey Pontorson - Argentan
- Depart 6:14pm
- Arrive 8:13pm
- Seasonal regional train line – bikes are allowed on board even if not dismantled, although at rush hour restrictions may apply
- Train journey Argentan - Alençon
- Arrive c.9:15pm
- regional TER train service – bikes, even if not dismantled, allowed on board
Please note: the change of train indicated isn’t possible on Saturdays.
How to return to Domfront by train?
Having ridden the final westerly 100km of the Veloscenic cycle route from Domfront, you can return easily to this starting point by making use of the seasonal train service going as far as the train station at Flers and then cycling along the 20km of greenway linking the two towns. Make the journey more comfortable by planning to spend the night in Flers and then riding the last 20km the following morning.
- Train journey Pontorson - Flers
- Depart 6:14pm
- Arrive 7:44pm
- Seasonal regional train service – bikes, even if not dismantled, are allowed on board, although restrictions may apply at rush hour
- Cycling stage Flers - Domfront
- 20km along a signposted greenway that forms part of La Vélo Francette cycle route
- Details available on the France Vélo Tourisme website
Please note: This option is particularly suitable if on a cycling trip with young children. Find suggestions for activities and accommodation in the article "Cap sur le Mont Saint-Michel en famille".