Page 240 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

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MONT-ST-MICHEL

! B3 ⌂ Manche £ To Pontorson, then bus # 9am–dusk daily ¢ 1 Jan,
1 May, 25 Dec & periods of high tide ∑ abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr
Shrouded by mist, encircled by sea, soaring above glistening sands –
EXPERIENCE Normandy in France. This magnificent fortified abbey crowns the top of the
the silhouette of Mont-St-Michel is one of the most enchant ing sights
island of Mont-Tombe (Tomb on the Hill), which stands at the mouth
of the River Couesnon; the abbey is in fact double the island’s height.

Lying strategically on the frontier between Normandy and
Brittany, Mont-St-Michel grew from a humble 8th-century
oratory to become a Benedictine monastery that had its
greatest influ ence in the 12th and 13th centuries. Pilgrims
known as miquelots journeyed from afar to honour the cult of
St Michael, and the monastery was a renowned centre of
medieval learning. The Grande Rue, once the pilgrim’s route,
climbs up past Église St-Pierre to the abbey gates. For many
years the island was linked to the mainland by a causeway, but
this was replaced in 2014 by a bridge which allows the water to
flow freely once again, preventing the build-up of silt.

Visitors climbing the many
narrow stairways up to the
abbey of Mont-St-Michel

PICTURE PERFECT
Ideal Island
The classic shot of Mont-
St-Michel is taken from
the causeway at the
mouth of the River
Couesnon. Check the
tides to ensure that
the island will be
surrounded by water.
Arrive at early dawn.

966
Benedictine 1067–70
abbey founded by Mont-St-Michel depicted
▼
Duke Richard I. in Bayeux Tapestry.
Timeline 708 1017 1434
▲ Last assault by
▲ St Aubert builds
Work on abbey
English forces;
an oratory on Mont-
church starts.
Tombe. ramparts surround
the town.
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