We decided to take the 3 hour drive over much debate to the famous Le Mont Saint Michel. It is located about 1 km off the northwestern coast of Normandy. Being that it is part of UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites we just couldn't pass up the opportunity. According to legend, the Archangel Michael (pictured below) appeared in 708 to St. Aubert, the bishop of Avranches (a nearby village), and instructed him to build a church on a rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. So then gave the start of the construction on this rocky tidal island.
Here is the view from the road that leads to it.
Archangel Michael
As you enter the monastery their is a drawbridge to walk across. I just love the thought of those who have walked across this.
The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed "St. Michael in peril of the sea" by medieval pilgrims making their way across the flats, the mount can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid the causeway and attempt the hazardous walk across the sands from the neighboring coast. Its average rate of progress is about 200 feet per minute.
The Abbey Church was built between 1023 and 1085. It was used for a church to some 50 monks as well as many pilgrims to came to worship the archangel Michael.
The Cloister
This place is a place of prayer and meditation where a monk walk or sits by himself to read the bible and pray.
The Monks' Refectory
Ossuary
This is the monks' former graveyard. The big wheel was installed around 1820 to bring up food for the prisoners (they converted the abbey into a prison in 1793) who were detained in the penitentiary. It is a replica of the kind of device used in medieval times to bring up building materials for the construction of the Mont Saint Michel.
We were so happy with the decision to make the drive. It was amazingly beautiful in so many ways!
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