Along with the world-famous Eiffel Tower, there is another visiting card of France. This time we are not talking about a separate building, but a whole complex that occupies the territory of a small island. This is one of the most picturesque corners of Normandy, which is rightfully considered a real monument of the history of France – this is the island-monastery of Mont Saint-Michel.
How to get a visa to France on your own read in our life hack.
History of the granite giant
The impressive island, which is based on millions of tons of granite, is only 930 meters in diameter, and the highest point is located at an altitude of only 92 meters above sea level. It was he who was chosen in the 8th century by the Benedict monks, who became his rightful owners for many centuries, having built a real abbey.
There is a legend according to which the place for the construction of the monastery was not chosen by chance. In a dream, Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Avranches and ordered to build a monastery on the island to commemorate the battle between the light forces of the heavenly host and the satanic hordes, which appeared in the form of a dragon. According to the vision, it was here, on the granite ledges of the island, that the fatal meeting of two eternal opponents – good and evil – took place.
The construction of the monastery was financed by the Norman dukes, who saw not only religious significance in its rough outlines, but also strategic ones. It was the island that was to become the first stronghold of the numerous Viking raids that Normandy was systematically subjected to.
The construction of the central building of the abbey lasted for a long 500 years from 1017, when the first stone was laid, to 1520. And by the 12th century the monastery became one of the main religious centers for numerous pilgrims from Europe. The final touches that completed the image of the modern monastery were made until the 17th century, as a result of which a complex complex of buildings and structures began to rise above the island, the architecture of which echoed Gothic and Romanesque styles.
Everyone who sees this masterpiece of human creation for the first time with delight and hope will watch the structures literally climbing the steep slopes towards the sun, the crown of which is the elegant church of Marvel. All this creates a truly bewitching landscape, which only the famous creation of Eiffel can compare with. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that this grandiose complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Island crashing into the ocean
Mont Saint-Michel is able to give one of the most vivid and unforgettable experiences in the life of everyone who is lucky enough to be here. It is difficult to find the right words to convey as colorfully and accurately as possible the sensations that you experience every time you sit at a table on the terrace of a restaurant with a tablecloth whitened to a crisp and greedily absorb the boundless expanse of the ocean with your eyes.
And what is the air here! Simply saying that every breath makes you dizzy and your pulse beats faster in your temples will obviously not be enough. He is special here. It is to the local air that such a description as “soaked with age-old dampness” sea air is best suited. The impressions will be especially vivid during high tide, which, like a leopard stalking a prey, is selected silently and imperceptibly.
The island is located in the north-west of France and is part of a group of islands located in the bay of the same name. It is only 2 km from the mainland of the state and at low tide it is not difficult to get to it. Although, due to the local features of the sea weather, the island sometimes seems like an impregnable fort, the path to which is blocked by huge gray-green waves that crash against the rocks below.
It is interesting that, despite such proximity to mainland France, as well as to historical Normandy, Britain repeatedly tried to “redraw” the local borders in its favor and make the island another distant harbor for its numerous ships. This is due to the crazy popularity of this place, with which only one place can compete with this criterion – the French capital. Because of this, the French, who have never been too modest, called these places “the eighth wonder of the world.”
How to get there
Of course, after such a vivid description of the local beauties, an image of an old carriage with a forged frame, harnessed to a pair of black horses, appears in my head. It is they who must deliver the real adventurer to the wooden suspension bridge, which, descending with a creak, will reveal its secrets and untold riches that have been preserved here from time immemorial. To complete the image of the ancient castle, there are not enough statues of mythical monsters – chimeras.
Perhaps a couple of centuries ago, this is exactly what the path to the world-famous abbey looked like. But today you can get to the Abbey of Saint-Michel with great comfort. For example, by buying a ticket for a fast train from Paris to Rennes (about 55.8 euros), and then transferring to a regular bus that will take travelers to the foot of the monastery (a little more than 11 euros). There is also a system of discounts, which will be a pleasant surprise for young travelers.
If you want to save money or just prefer to travel with an ascetic bias, we recommend the bus route through Pontorson. The regular bus runs only 6 times a day, but the fare will cost only 5 euros. But such inconveniences will not be a serious obstacle for true adventurers.
You can go to the holy place and by private car. But in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is recommended to leave the car in a specially designated place where it will be safe during high tide, and go on foot for the remaining couple of kilometers.
If you decide to go to the island in order to replenish your personal photo album with new pictures, and hearts with vivid impressions, we strongly do not recommend choosing the summer months for your trip. During this period, the influx of tourists to the monastery is simply huge, which will not allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of these places. And, of course, we advise you to purchase a by-catch calendar, using which you can choose the best time for photo hunting and take simply stunning pictures of landscapes that open from the fortress walls.
Do not forget to take into account the peculiarities of the local climate, which obviously will not allow you to defile in a colorful sundress and light sandals. Harsh winds, which feel like full-fledged masters in the local expanses, have a negative attitude towards such equipment for tourists. But the most important accompanying person during the trip should be humility. After all, it is the humble tourists who can count on enlightenment within the walls of this holy place.
Entertainment and excursions
When you get tired of looking at the raging ocean and following the endless cycles of tides, you can go for a walk around the island, during which you will find many more interesting acquaintances and discoveries. But before that, close your eyes for a moment and imagine that the yard is in the heyday of the medieval knightly era, and you are none other than the main character of Dumas's beloved novel from youth. Represented? Then go!
The Royal Gate, a little rough, but created with a medieval taste, lancet stone vaults, as well as a huge knight's hall and a refectory, where several hundred years ago the bass voices of the defenders of the island hummed, as well as numerous streets meandering, as if luring into the depths of the island, all this will require a lot of attention and time from you.
Do you like mystery and different puzzles? There is more than enough of this goodness here! There are many secret passages in the streets that will lead to another part of the monastery, and wooden doors upholstered in iron frames make sounds that are so clearly remembered from the time of watching films about the exploits of knights and medieval castles.
All this, no doubt, will leave an unforgettable mark in the memory of every visitor to these wonderful places, will beckon again and again to plunge into the charm and unique charm of the monastery, which is located on the island of Mont Saint-Michel.
Well, how to get around one of the most mysterious places on the island – a small vaulted room that has the name “Notre Dame underground.” There are many legends and legends that reveal the history of this mysterious place from different angles. And you should definitely get to know many of them.
Local kitchen
If you decide to go to the island, you should definitely get acquainted with the local cuisine traditions. The menu of the restaurants located on the island is represented by national dishes of Breton cuisine, the basis of which is lamb dishes. In addition, lovers of seafood, meat dishes and salads will be able to discover a lot of new things.
Before you order a meat steak or other similar dish, remember that the French prefer undercooked, almost raw meat. Depending on the order, you will have to pay from 14 to 35 euros for dinner.
You can stay at one of the local hotels, some of which are located on the first floors of buildings that date back to the 15th-16th century. From the windows of hotel rooms you can enjoy marvelous landscapes until dusk, and a good mood in the morning guarantees clean sea air, which will saturate your body with useful salts and minerals in just a couple of nights.
Use the services of kiwitaxi and at the airport, at the specified time, the driver will be waiting for you, help with luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several classes of cars are available – from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and the address within Paris. Taxi from / to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to the right place.