Per ot-montsaintmichel.com “The granite rock of Mont Saint-Michel was originally called
Mont Tombe. In the year 708, the Archangel Michael appears in dreams to
Saint-Aubert, bishop of Avranches, and asks him to build a sanctuary in his
name.
In 966, a community of Benedictines settle and build the first
church. At the same time, a village begins to develop to welcome the first
pilgrims; the numbers grow, making the church too small. In the eleventh
century, four crypts and a large abbey church are built. In the thirteenth
century begins the construction of the “Merveille”: two buildings of three
floors, crowned by the cloisters and the refectory of the monks.
The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) made it necessary to protect
Mont Saint-Michel by a set of military constructions that allowed it to
withstand a siege of almost 30 years. The islet of Tombelaine, 3 km, became an
English stronghold, it still retains today the ruins of a fort and a dungeon.
During the English siege, the Romanesque choir of the abbey church collapses.
The French Revolution, the monks abandon the abbey, which is
transformed into a state prison. Until 1863, 14,000 prisoners passed through
this «Bastille des Mers», where tides and quicksand make any escape impossible.
In 1874, the service of The Historic Monuments restored the
building and opened it to the public.
More and more people start to visit, so to transport the mass
of visitors, a road embankment was built in 1879.
Between 1901 and 1938, a steam train connects the town of
Pontorson to Mont Saint-Michel; the Mount thus loses its maritime character,
which it will only find thanks to the recent work of the dam, which reduces the
sand sediment in the bay.
The site was miraculously spared during the Second World
War: the Germans still occupied between 1940 and 1944.
1966 marks the return of a community to the abbey. Monastics
of Jerusalem provide since 2001 a permanent spiritual presence, and welcome
pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
Since 1979, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay have been listed
as World Heritage by UNESCO.
The Mont Saint-Michel has international friendship since 2009,
with the island of Miyajima (Hatsukaichi commune in Japan) and the town of
Monte Sant’Angelo (in Italy) since 2019″
Beautiful views on the way to the Mount.
Once we arrive … 3 ways to get there
Free shuttle
Horse buggy
Or walk! Walk it
is. Of course it’s hot! Shocker summer in Europe. No AC most places
As I get closer to the mount I see how massive it is. How in the world did they build this like
1200 years ago.
By the time I get there I’m exhausted, I’m thinking how in
the world will I climb up to the Abbey.
I decide to grab lunch first and contemplate whether I go up or not…. No
joke its like straight up lots of steps and the heat… did I mention the heat!
Anyway after a Nutella crepe and tomato salad. BTW… the French LOVE their crepeies as I like
to call it!! There are more creperies than grocery stores…. Anywho…. I decide I
should Check in with tourist information
Find a less crowded route up… but still climbing up. But I thought if I don’t go up now I doubt I
will be able to in 5 years time. My back
was already killing me.
Finally make it to the Abbey. We’ll worth the pain! So amazing… just in awe of the place… its vastness and beauty, Again how in the world did they build this like 1200 years
ago. Definitely a place to put on your travel list. I also notice lots of families where the grand kids are helping the grandparents climb up. Beautiful!
One annoying thing-
people were sitting on the steps… you have 10 feet wide steps and 3
people are sitting on them while hundreds are trying to go up or come down… not
really sure where common sense went with that!
Mainly younger people at that. I
felt bad for the senior folks who have to climb up or down steep steps while
doing people both ways and making sure you don’t trip over the people sitting
on the steps…. Ok soap box complete.
In all a great experience!
I wish we got to see it in high tide but it didn’t happen. You need to be there full moon or new moon
times! Poor planning on my part… I am
usually pretty good about consulting my astronomical expert before booking a
trip! Lol!
Super cool unique Shuttle Bus that never makes a u-turn
because there is a steering wheel on both sides so the driver just switches
sides… time efficient and probably fuel efficient!
Quick Stop at a Biscuit Factory
Love the dramatic shots here!
I think this is just right amount of information and photos in each of the major sites you visited. Love the photos! I will use your site anytime I want to travel somewhere I haven’t been and you have been. This does take lots of effort and time though to post.