The magical Mont St Michel castle in France; treat to eyes. Rising dramatically from the sea it’s an abbey, city and an island in one.
Standing high on a tidal island, which means it's only a island during the high tide. It's one among those UNESCO heritage sites being a castle, site for religious worship and also even a jail over years.
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝:
Mont St Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, also classified as a monument in 1874.
Saint Michel population is only less than 50 people.
The monastery was also a prison at some point.
The Abbey/Castle receives over 3 million tourists every year, making it one of the most popular site in France.
The structure of town represents the feudal society in the Middle Ages. On top is the abbey and monastery – representing God, right below the great halls with stores and houses, and at the bottom houses of fishermen and farmers.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬:
Until the 7th century, the place was actually called Mont Tombe and belonged to the Diocese of the Avranches.
Local legend says that the bishop of Avranches, Saint Aubert, had a dream in which the patron of a sailor – Saint Michael, told him to build a church on top of the Mont Tombe. However, since he ignored the dream a few times Saint Michel bore a hole into his skull what made him do it.
The legend didn’t come from anything as the real skull kept in Saint-Gervais Basilica presents the hole in it. But the science claims it’s due to trepanation. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 !
Once the church was built it’s been captured by the Vikings what made the monks move away. But in 966 the Duke of Normandy allowed the Benedict Monks to settle there and add a pre-Romanesque church of the abbey.
But it’s not the end of the story. ‘The 100 Years’ War commenced with the Duke of Brittany leading the siege to Mont Saint Michel what caused it to hold out for 30 years! The Duke massacred the village but didn’t conquer the fortified abbey what made it a fortress. The King of France also ordered reparations for the damage and gave a grant for the construction of a new Gothic cloister and refectory.
In the 17th century, the abbey was closed down and changed into a prison that lasted until 1863. In 1874 the places became a historical monument.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 ?
Well, just 155 miles away from Paris resides the haven.
Region: Normandy
Arrondissement: Avranches
Area: 0.97 km2
Population: 50
Best time is to drive early, so as to avoid the tourist hustle. Less people, high chances of solitude. Yes I mean it.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐭 ?
There are loads and loads of ‘tourist traps’ inside the medieval village, all of them wanting your money. If you’re looking for souvenirs you should probably buy them anywhere but there, as it’s quite overpriced. Same goes for restaurants, so do look at the menu and prices before getting in.
The most well-known restaurant in Mont St Michel is Le Mere Poulard. Annette Poulard created this place back in the 1870s where she made her giant souffle omelets famous. People from all over the world used to make their journey just for these omelets, including statesmen, dukes, kings & queens, musicians, and actors.
Menus are over pricey. But trust me, not everyday you get a chance to have an omelette on a balcony settled over 7th century castle. So worth the hit.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 ?
Just keep wandering. The castle is so magnificently spread out, you will find that one cozy spot very soon. As long as you maintain peace, there is nobody to bother you. Sort your things and walk out.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 ?
If you want to extend your trip and spend a night, I wouldn’t recommend staying in the actual Saint Michel. There are just a small handful of accommodation options there and they’re extremely pricey, so most visitors head to nearby Saint-Malo. It’s technically in Brittany, not in Normandy, but it’s only an hour away.
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real.
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill.
Over the castle on the hill !
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill Over the castle on the hill
