The Mont Saint-Michel is such a magical and interesting place that even seeing it from afar evokes feelings of awe. When my husband first took me there in July 2011, I was captivated by its incredible story. I must admit that seeing pictures of Mont Saint-Michel is fascinating, but experiencing it in person is jaw-dropping. So, without a doubt, we took our son to Mont Saint-Michel during our summer vacation in Bretagne this year to experience its enthralling beauty.
This foreboding-looking granite island protruding into the North Atlantic is located about half a mile off France’s Northwestern Normandy coastline. It rises 302 feet above sea level, is 247 acres in size, and is 3,150 feet in circumference. It is one of the most inspiring landmarks in France, Europe, and the world, and due to its historical and cultural significance, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is undoubtedly one of our favorite places in France.
When our son spotted Mont Saint-Michel from a distance, he was wowed! “Papa, why would anyone want to build anything on such an inhospitable piece of rock, constantly battered by the wind and waves of the North Atlantic?” As we walked from the parking lot to the entrance, my husband was happily explaining to him about the history and how it all began as a dream. It’s a majestic, spectacular sight when you’re walking down the path toward the island (cars aren’t allowed past a certain point), and you look up and see the island with the abbey and its magnificent cathedral crowning the top, rising above you, framed by the steel-blue sky of Normandy.
So, here are nine interesting facts why Mont Saint-Michel takes our breath away:
1. It started from a dream. According to the legend, Mont Saint-Michel was conceived in a dream in 708 when the archangel Michael appeared to bishop Aubert of Avranches and told him to build a church on the rocky islet. Bishop Aubert ignored him the first time and the second times, but when archangel appeared in his dream the third time, he took it seriously and began construction on the church. So, it started as a small church and evolved over the centuries into the magnificent abbey that we see today.
2.It is a Medieval Village with residents. Mont Saint-Michel is a treasure trove for history lovers, dating back to 709. As we entered through the main paved street, the “Grand Rue,” which was lined with around sixty charming old houses we were ecstatically startled. Then, we got lost in the medieval backstreets, and strolled along the ramparts that surrounded Mont Saint-Michel, which were built in the 14th and 15th centuries. The ramparts at the island’s base, made up of numerous towers, were built to keep the English forces out and provided a breathtaking view of the bay as well as an excellent location for viewing the wonderful show of the tide coming in. Then we made our way up to the Abbaye and explored every nook and cranny. We then went to the hidden La Chapelle-Saint-Aubert. And on our way out of the village, we stopped for ice cream while admiring the bay and waiting for our transfer to the parking area. Although Mont Saint-Michel is a small medieval village with less than fifty residents, it offers a lot of things to discover, including the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, Fortifications, Eglise Paroissiale Saint-Pierre, Tour du Nord (ramparts), Terrasse de l’Ouest, La Grande Rue, Tour Gabriel, La Porte du Roy, Maison de Bertrand du Guesclin, La Poste, and many more. Also, some of the fine buildings that line the steep village street are now converted into museums, restaurants, hotels and shops for today’s tourists. The village is also known for having the world’s most expensive omelet at La Mère Poulard.
3.The Magnificent Abbey. The Abbaye is our favorite part of Mont Saint-Michel. It has been a prestigious site since ancient times. The incredible Abbey’s 1300-year construction is a living testament to French history and culture. It is divided into two parts: the church-abbey and the Merveille. The Merveille, which means “The Wonder,” where the monk lived has three levels and was built over 25 years. The east side has three rooms: the chaplaincy, the hosts room and the dining hall. The west side has three rooms as well: the wine cellar, the Knights room and the cloister. One of the areas that we like there is the charming cloister with glass windows and a little garden in the middle, which was built at the top of the hill in the thirteenth century. It adds a surprising soft domestic touch to a dramatic setting with dramatic views. It encapsulates the enchantment of the whole place. Despite Mont’s turbulent history and the destruction of the earlier part of the church, the site and abbey remain intact. It is now a monument to the Christian past, preserved by a small monastic community. The buildings of the Abbey and its surrounding village have been meticulously maintained, restored, or renewed over time in accordance with their histories. For us, we think that your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel will be incomplete if you do not see the abbey. I’ve heard that not all tourists who visit the place get to explore the abbey because the climb up to the top is steep, narrow, and cobblestoned. Plus, there are also several flights of stairs that you need to climb.
4. A diversity of architectural styles. The beautiful Benedictine Abbey, built on a rocky island, is a striking example of a diversity of authentic architectural styles, an evidence of the mastery and expertise of several generations of builders, and a symbol of an undisputed technical and artistic feat. One of the areas that we liked is the church as it is where the Romanesque meets Gothic. The nave of the abbey church also shown a Romanesque architecture. The Merveille is a splendid illustration of the spirit of Gothic art that was popular throughout Western Europe at that time. Its bold architecture consists of three layered levels, culminating at a height of 35m, supported by sixteen powerful buttresses. The oldest part of the Abbey is Notre-Dame-sous-Terre, a small pre-Romanesque church with a double nave built-in granite masonry and flat brick. Furthermore, the architecture of the stone and timber-framed houses stacked in tiers surrounded by steep, rocky embarkments is beautiful and many of which are classified as historic landmarks.
5.It has served so many purposes
It was an important pilgrimage destination. Around the 10th century, Mont Saint-Michel became one of the important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Back then, the journey was very difficult as there was no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, so anyone who wanted to visit had to wait for the low tides to cross. Being able to complete this trip was a proof of your commitment to God.
It was an undefeated fortress. Mont Saint-Michel has become a symbol of French resilience because the English troops, in spite of a full-scale attack in 1433, were unable to conquer it during the Hundred Years War due to its strong fortifications and natural defense (tides and quicksand). It is a heavily fortified tidal island surrounded by water with strong high tides everywhere, making it difficult for the attackers to invade. Even at low tide, the area around is too sandy, and the surrounding quicksand trapped and drowned the English troops, making them easy targets for the French troops on Mont Saint-Michel.
It was once a prison. In the 17th century, the king of France, Louis XIV, started using part of the island into a political prison. Also, in the 18th century, during the French Revolution, the abbey got closed and converted into a prison known as “Bastille of the Sea” that held about 14,000 prisoners. The prison was closed in 1863 due to massive campaign by many influential figures, including Victor Hugo to restore the island and save this architectural treasure.
6.The beautiful bay, dangerous quicksand, and powerful tides. The tides at Mont Saint-Michel rise quickly and can reach almost 14 meters high, which is considered one of the largest tides in Europe. It is forbidden to cross the sand on your own, unless you are accompanied by a certified guide, because you might get trapped by quicksand and sink.
7.The wind is gravity-defying. Mont-Saint-Michel is very exposed to the sea winds as it is situated off the French coast right between Normandy and Brittany – two regions known in France for harsh winds and in general tough weather. During our visit on a windy summer day, we encountered a very fascinating phenomenon, as we saw water falling from the gutters.
8.It inspired so many movie castles. The Mont Saint-Michel is breathtaking to see in reality and has fascinated many people. Thus, it is no surprise that it was chosen as a wonderful inspiration for the castle of Rapunzel’s parents in Tangled, for Minas Tirith in The Lord of the Rings, and for Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers.
9.It is a top cultural attraction. Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most visited places in France. The residents welcome three million visitors each year, who are enchanted by the old roots of the monastery, the religious significance of this medieval masterpiece, and to see the extraordinary feat of medieval eclectic architecture. Who could blame anyone for wanting to visit this iconic island, with over one thousand years of history under its belt?
My family and I really enjoyed wandering around and spending time in that amazing place, just contemplating its beauty. Thus, I would like to end my post with this inspiring quote from American historian Henry Adams: “Church and State, Soul and Body, God and Man, are all one at Mont Saint-Michel.”
Little Lilly travel tips:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes because the tour around Mont Saint-Michel is steep, and the path to venture up the abbey is full of stairs.
- Bring a good jacket as it is quite windy there even during the summer.
Little Lilly Meets the World 