Mont Saint-Michel

Posted by Anura Samara, 20 September 2014

Mont Saint-Michel, like Pisa, is one of those places that looms large in my imagination. I’ve always known about this ancient place – part village, part Abbey – located on a rocky island in the sea with access governed by the tides.

When you first approach it, you see that distinctive shape of an island steeply rising to a steepled church at the top. However, access these days is much more civilised. You park on the mainland, buy your entry tickets and a free shuttle bus runs you across to the island. The nearly-finished new access road has been raised above the level of the tide so there will be year-round access to the site.

From there, it’s all by foot. The island is well laid out for the visitor, with your day starting at the bottom through a large gatehouse or portcullis. From there, you climb the narrow street just inside the walls, with shops and restaurants either side. You pass the parish church, and there are opportunities to detour on to the walls themselves.

At the top, you reach the ancient Abbey but the climb isn’t over yet as the Abbey is a complete complex in itself. If you’re interested in church history and architecture, then there’s lots to see but for me the real climax was emerging on to a bare platform (I think it’s the floor of a long-ruined church) with sweeping views over the sea and inland. It’s from here that you get a real sense of the dominance of this outcrop. You also realise how tidal this area is – the island was surrounded by mudflats with a couple of groups walking across to other, smaller islands. And inland it’s less the mouth of a river and really just more mudflats intersecting the fields.

Its a fantastic place to visit, well organised for visitors but (like lots of places we have now visited) it’s definitely worth avoiding the peak tourist season.

Categories: France