France June 2016 - Mont St-Michel

Mont St-Michel is on the west end of Normandy, at the bottom of the Cherbourg peninsula.  The island abbey is one of the most famous sights in the world.

After driving here from the Loire Valley, we checked into our B&B -- Les Vieilles Digues -- and then drove over to the abbey.  Here is our first sighting.
   
They get a lot of visitors here and have the infrastructure to handle it.  You park in a huge parking lot, then catch a free shuttle over to the abbey.
   
Which sits atop an island rock, surrounded by water and sand bars.  It is connected to the mainland by bridge -- built recently replacing a half-mile 100 year-old causeway -- that allows water to flow under it, returning the island to its original form.
   
A good shot of the abbey and the surrounding village at lower right.
 
Mont St-Michel has been an important pilgrimage center since 708 AD, when the bishop of Avranches heard the voice of Archangel Michael saying, "Build here and build high."  -- Rick Steves
   
Approaching the island, with the abbey towering overhead.
   
Looking out over the mudflats.
   
A good look at the new bridge.  Some brave people go out on to the flats.
   
The village has just one street and it is pretty touristy.  But kind of fun because it is so narrow and filled with people.  Even in the Middle Ages it was a commercial gauntlet.
   
They abbey stone walls are massive.
   
 
   
 
   
A statue of Archangel Michael sits atop the spire.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
A pretty garden alongside the abbey Cloisters -- the peaceful zone where monks could meditate, read the Bible, and tend their gardens.
   
 
   
 
   
Huge fireplaces in the Guests Hall.  The abbey included a Church, Cloisters, Refectory (dining hall), Guests Hall, Hall of the Grand Pillars, Crypt of St. Martin, Ossuary, Scriptorum Hall, the "Merveille" and the Ramparts.
   
I soon lost my bearings walking around the great stone abbey.
   
A big treadwheel used to hoist supplies and building materials up to the Abbey from the island.
   

The island as it was in the 10th Century.

 
   
11th and 12th centuries.
   
17th and 18th centuries.
   
19th century to present day.
   
Outside on the Ramparts, looking out over the Bay.
   
"Mont St-Michael is ringed by a fine example of 15-century fortifications.  ... The English conquered all of Normandy in the early 15th century, but they never took this well-fortified island."  -- Rick Steves
   
Looking down.
   
That French seagull is not going to let some American tourist disturb him.
   
 
   
Another look at the bridge.  I can see no evidence of the old causeway.
   
French seagull.  Looks pretty similar to the Ocean City, Maryland seagull.
   
 
   
This is where they hauled up supplies and building material.  That chain at the left is used on the giant treadwheel
   
 
   

Back at our B&B which was conveniently close to the abbey.  Actually the B&B was more like a small Mom & Pop motel than a B&B.  But it was perfect for us.
   
The view from the back of the B&B.
   
We had dinner just up the street from the B&B where Lynnette was very happy with her shrimp -- with heads! -- dinner!  I think I had some kind of lamb shank and fries which was very good too.
   
We went back to the Abbey to see it lighted up at night.  An unexpected benefit was a spectacular sunset.
   
We didn't have to wait long.  Soon the lights came on.  It was worth seeing!
   
 
   
We walked around the left side of the abbey to see the sunset.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Sunsets speak for themselves, don't they?
   
So concludes a very enjoyable day in France.
   
 
   
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