Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel
Visit the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, a Gothic masterpiece. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site perched on a rocky islet and enjoy breathtaking views over the bay in Normandy.
Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel
Visit the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, a Gothic masterpiece. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site perched on a rocky islet and enjoy breathtaking views over the bay in Normandy.
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About Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel
Add to favoritesRising from the sands of the bay, Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is an architectural marvel that has defied the elements for over a millennium. This sanctuary, dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, is a masterful blend of styles, ranging from Romanesque to Flamboyant Gothic. The visit culminates in the cloister, suspended between sky and sea, and in the Hall of the Marvel, a jewel of monastic architecture. Beyond its religious significance, this granite labyrinth has always captivated filmmakers. Its imposing fortress-like appearance has served as the backdrop for numerous cinematic productions. Notably, it evokes the spirit of Jean-Paul Belmondo in The Inheritor, where the monumental aesthetic of the Mont underscores the power of the narrative. Between the vertiginous staircases and the terraces offering panoramic views of the highest tides in Europe, the abbey provides an extraordinary sensory and historical experience. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains the eternal symbol of the alliance between human ingenuity and wild nature.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
For a truly insightful visit to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, the trick is not to be solely captivated by the nave, but to seek out the hidden feats of engineering. Focus your attention on the colossal lifting wheel (the winch): it bears witness to the daily lives of 19th-century prisoners who operated it to hoist supplies. The secret to appreciating the "Wonder" is to linger in the suspended cloister: approach the pink granite columns, staggered to create a visual effect of infinite movement, and seek out the inner garden, a true haven of silence between sky and sea. For an unobstructed view of the bay without the crowds, head to the West Terrace (the forecourt): it's the only place where you'll truly grasp the abbey's complete isolation. Finally, as you descend through the abbey gardens, observe the layers of stone: you will literally see the evolution from Romanesque to Flamboyant Gothic. One last tip: pay particular attention to the guest hall to admire the monumental fireplaces that served as much to heat the abbey as to impress visiting kings.
5 Key Dates
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church
708
According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared in a dream to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, and commanded him to build a sanctuary on Mont Tombe. The first church was consecrated on October 16, 709.
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church
966
At the request of the Duke of Normandy, a community of Benedictine monks settled on the rock. They founded the abbey there and made the Mount a major center of culture and pilgrimage in the West.
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square_foot
1204
After a fire started by the troops of King Philip Augustus, he financed the construction of "La Merveille". This three-level Gothic complex remains today the architectural jewel of the abbey.
PHILIPPE AUGUSTE -
map
1793
The abbey was transformed into a prison for refractory priests, then for political prisoners. The mountain was then nicknamed the "Bastille of the Seas".
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map
1793
Under pressure from writers like Victor Hugo, the prison was closed by imperial decree of Napoleon III.
VICTOR HUGO
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RESIDENCE REINE MARINE
CHATEAU D AUDRIEU
HOTEL LE DOMAINE DE LA BRETESCHE
DOMAINE DU LIZIEC - MGALLERY COLLECTION
LEPRINCE
LE MANOIR DE LA POTERIE
CHATEAU DE MAUBREUIL
MIRAMAR LA CIGALE
