INTRODUCTION - BRIEF HISTORY
by vinc_bilb
The Mont St Michel island located just off the coast of the region of Normandie, best known as the site of the spectacular and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel at the peak of the medieval town.
It was one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the Medieval occident. For nearly one thousand years, men, women and children went there, despite the dangers, hoping for the assurance of eternity, given by the Archangel of judgement « Peseur des ames ».
Mont Saint Michel was officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1979
The « Wonder of the Western World » forms a tower in the heart of an immense bay invaded by the highest tides in Europe.
History (adapted from tourism information center web site)
It was at the request of the Archangel Michel « chief of the celestial militia » that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709. The pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand.
- 8th century, the construction of the first monastic establishment
- 11th century, fondation of the Romanesque abbey church over a set of crypts
- 12th century, the monastery buildings were extended to the west and south.
- 13th century , a donation by the king of France enabled a start to be made on the Gothic section of the "Merveille ": two three-storey buildings, crowned by the cloister and the refectory.
- In the 14th century, military constructions (the Hundred Years War effect)
The Abbey was turned into a prison during the days of the French Revolution and Empire, and needed to be restored before the end of the 19th century.
With the celebration of the monastic's 1000th anniversary,in the year 1966 a religious community moved back to what used to be the abbatial dwellings.
At the same time as the abbey was developping a village grew up from the Middle Age. It flourished on the south-east side of the rock surrounded by walls dated for the most part from the Hundred Years war. This village has always a commercial vocation ( this is still valid...)
Mont Saint-Michel welcomes more than three million visitors a year. The excitation when we started to see the Mont, while driving, illuminated by the sun rise (it was early the morning).
Catch a glimpse from afar
by sue_stone
Mont St-Michel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France, with over 3.5million people visiting this tiny island every year! That single, steep, narrow street gets crowded pretty quickly as the tourist buses role in.
Our first visit was at 10pm, just before sunset, and it was nice and quiet. The next morning we arrived at around 9am and it wasn't too busy, but by 11.30am it was crowded (in June). I must admit that the crowds really detracted from the uniqueness of the place. My favourite thing about Mont St-Michel was the way that you could catch a glimpse of it from miles away, when driving along the main roads that run near the coast. It is a very cool site for a distance. Even the view from the start of the causeway is good.
But, once you actually get up to the island, see the car parks, and perhaps fight through the crowds some of the mystery is gone, well, it was for me anyway.
Indicative fees-general information's-contacts
by vinc_bilb
The village :
Free - no specific restrictions
1. Indicative fees (2009) for the Abbey
Tickets available at the entrance of the abbey only
Rates :
- individual : 8.50€; ; from 18 to 25 years old included from Ue : free (from UE) otherwise 5€; less than 18 years : free
- group (20 persons) or tour operators: 6,50€;
- audip-guide: 4.00€; Conducted tour: 1H30, 6.50 €, highly recommended but subject to availability of guides.
2. Opening hours
- The abbey is open every day except the 1st of january, the 1st of may and the 25th of december.
- from 2 may to 31 august : 9am to 7 pm, last admission at 6 pm
- from 1 september to 30 april : 9.30 am to 6pm, last admission at 5 pm.
- On the 24th & 31st of december : last entrance at 4 pm & closing time at 5pm.
Self guided tour or one hour guided tour ( with all reserve)
Pets are not allowed in the abbey (allowed in the village).
3. Contacts
Booking and information at the abbey :
Tel 02-33-89-80-00 - Fax : 02-33-70-83-08
E-mail : abbaye.mont-saint-michel@monuments-nationaux.fr
Website : www.mont-saint-michel.monuments-nationaux.fr (French)
Mont Saint Michel tourism informations center
Tourism informations center (English)
or
Mont Saint Michel portal I was sceptical to extend our trip (3 hours drive from Loire valley) to the Mont Saint Michel, but my wife was very motivated. Oh, I was so entousiastic after!
The must!!!
by Azhut
One of the most visited sites in France, the Mont-Saint Michel is a must, but out of season, if you can. July and especially August, is more a Golgotha burden than a visit. A textbook definition of a tourist trap, it is most impressive when seen from afar, with its famous silhouette rising above the hazy sands and salt marshes like a heavily fortified breast.
The Archangel of the rocks
by Azhut
The legend of Mont Saint Michel told us that the Archangel Michel asked to S. Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches, to build a new church on the top of the hill. The Bishop didn't hear the order of the Archangel, so Michel burned a hole with his finger into the skull of the Bishop.
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Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel
View from Mont Saint Michel
Chapelle Saint Aubert, Mont St Michel, France 2010
