|

Why Mont-St-Michel
is special

This medieval abbey in France sits dramatically atop a large conical outcropping that rises conspicuously above the
surrounding sea and coastal flatlands.

Mont-St-Michel
tips & insights

Mont-St-Michel used to become an island on a twice-daily basis when the high tide encircled it.

To go to and
from Mont-St-Michel, pilgrims took a boat. Or, more often, they waited for the region's high and swift tides
to recede sufficiently to "safely" walk across the freshly exposed sands. Many miscalculated the
tidal cycles and drowned. Some were swallowed by the area's perilous quicksand.

Today, Mont-St-Michel seldom becomes an
island. The causeway that was built about a century ago contributed to the
silting up of the bay, damming the incoming water.

Mount-St-Michel experienced other distressing times over its nearly 1,000-year lifespan. Portions of its aging
sheer walls collapsed on several occasions.

During the French Revolution, Mont-St-Michel was converted into a
prison, giving it a "dreary dungeon" image.

A well-preserved medieval village is nestled at the bottom of the Mont-St-Michel geological mount. You walk up
its steep and narrow cobble-stoned street to reach the monastic compound.

French
for travelers
What every visitor should know.





View my other
gold medal winners
in France
 


My French
phrase guide
for travelers
What every visitor should know.


French cuisine guide









 |