Page 83 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

MONT-ST-MICHEL  81

Abbey Guide Church
The three levels on which the abbey is built Cloister Refectory
reflect the hierarchy of the monastery. The Abbey church
monks’ cells were on the upper level, where
the church, cloister and refectory were also
located. Important guests were entertained by
the abbot on the intermediate level. On the lower
level was accommodation for the guards, as well
as for humbler pilgrims. The customary route for
pilgrims was from the almshouse (which is now
a shop), where the poor were given alms, to the
church via the grand staircase. West
terrace
Saut Grand stairway
Gauthier

Intermediate Level
Salle des Chevaliers
Crypte Salle des Hôtes
Notre-Dame-des-
Trente-Cierges
Interior of the Church
The choir, in the
Flamboyant Gothic style
and supported by flying
buttresses, was built
between 1446 and 1521.
Notre-Dame- Abbatial
sous-Terre buildings
Chapelle St-Étienne Crypte
St-Martin

Upper Level
(Church) Lower Level
Cellar Almshouse
Intermediate
Level

Abbey gardens
Gatehouse
Abbatial buildings

Worship today
The small community of Benedictine
monks left the abbey in 2001. Now
the Fraternité de Jérusalem, some of
whose members are shown left,
inhabit the abbey instead.

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