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Mont-St-Michel

Mont St-Michel

The sight of Mont St Michel as you approach along the coastal road tucked into its bay between Normandy and Brittany is unforgettable. This strikingly beautiful collection of religious buildings dates back to the 8th Century when the Bishop of nearby Avranches claimed he was ordered by St Michael to build a church on the island.

Later the the Dukes of Normandy and the French Monarchy financed the development of a large Benedictine Abbey which became a major centre of learning and manuscript illumination.

During times of conflict with the English, ramparts were added and more recently, with the development of tourism, many buildings have been converted into restaurants, hotels and shops.

In recent years many millions of euros have been spent to improve access to the site and to ensure that the River Couesnon flows more freely. The Mont was rapidly losing its island status as the sediment from the River built up - a bridge has replaced the causeway which means that the car parks are a now couple of km/1.5m away. You will be relieved to know however that there is a shuttle bus which runs till midnight!

Best times to visit

Try to avoid July and August and visit between April & June or September & October but not around Easter or All Saints Day (Nov 1st).

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Tourism Website

Normandie

France In-2-Weeks

From Paris to Mont St-Michel via the French Riviera

Text © Paul Shawcross

Image by Pierre Doyen