Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France is visible for miles across the rolling plains of the southern edge of the Cotentin Peninsula. The historic, Benedictine Abby is majestic from a distance and even more so when you enter its gate.  We arrived at Mont Saint Michel around 3:30pm.  The weather was not the best, overcast skies and rain off and on during our visit but we were treated to a little blue sky before we left.  We opted to walk to the Abbey via the ramparts to avoid the crowds along the main road leading to the Abbey through town.  It was a good way to enjoy the panoramic views of the bay and the tidal flats from the towers along the walls (ten in total).  The village inside the walls of Mont-Saint-Michel is quaint but very touristy. There are a number of hotels, several restaurants and numerous places to buy tacky souvenirs (in my opinion) along the narrow Grande Rue.

Legend has it that the Archangel Michael appeared to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, inspiring him to build an oratory on what was then called Mont Tombe.  But Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel’s instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop’s skull with his finger. That did the trick. The dedication to St Michael occurred on October 16, 708.  During the Revolution the abbey was closed and converted into a prison, it closed in 1863, and the mount was declared a historic monument in 1874. Mont Saint Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
We joined a guided tour of the Abbey.  We saw numerous chapels, the cloisters, the Aquilon Chamber and other rooms, many are not furnished.   One interesting area contained a large diameter wheel (approx. 20 feet) known as the Great Wheel that was used to move goods from the ground to the Abbey.  Built during the period when the Abbey was a prison, it was powered by men (up to 6) who would walk inside of the wheel and propel it in a direction that would wind a rope pulling the supplies into the Abbey.

Despite the weather & the crowds it was a nice visit, I’m glad we made the two hour drive from Honfleur.

More photos are posted on our Facebook page.