Mont St. Michel (named after the arch-angel St. Michael) is known as the Merveille de l'Occident or Wonder of the Western World. The granite used to build the abbey was transported by boat from the nearby Isles of Chausey. Construction of the original abbey took more than 500 years, from 1017 to 1521.
The origins of Mont St. Michel can be traced back to a legend that has the archangel Michael appearing in a series of dreams to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches. Saint Michael implores Aubert to build a church on what was then a barren rock called Mont Tombe. The original church structure was completed in 1144, but other buildings were added in the 13th century to accommodate monks and pilgrims who flocked to the abbey even when the Mont was in English hands during the Hundred Year's War.
The Monks of Mont St. Michel were revered for their copying skills before the printing press was widely in use. The Romanesque Choir was rebuilt in the popular Gothic style during the 15th and the 16th Centuries. Currently Monks live and work here again, just as in medieval times.
Perched on a 264 ft high rock formation, during the season's highest tides the abbey is surrounded by water. During low tide the flats provide food for the world's only herd of salt water plant eating sheep. Mont St. Michel's tides can rush in at incredible speeds. It's not uncommon to hear an announcement in French over the island's PA system that a car must be moved from the auxiliary parking lot within minutes or be completely underwater. The sea can rise 45 ft during high tide.
Ok, this place is huge, and it seriously just pops up
out of nowhere in the middle of some open fields.
In the winding streets below are restaurants, hotels and shops...
Including a famous restaurant with the 'best' omelettes in the world.
Anyway, moving on, it's time to head up (and up, and up) to the Abbey
The views from the top...
Inside...
And on the way back down...
Watch that water!
