Paris Digest
Paris city guide since 1997
Mont Saint-Michel is an island topped by medieval monastery in between Normandy and Brittany. One of the most famous places in France, Mont Saint-Michel has been for over a thousand years one of Europe’s major Christian pilgrimages. Mont Saint-Michel facts. History and geography facts. Religious facts. Mont Saint-Michel fun facts. Normandy tours from Paris.
Mont Saint-Michel is a 92 meter high granite island off the coast of Normandy, 360 km West of Paris.
Mont Saint-Michel is a spectacular abbey, one of the most famous religious places in France with a prestigious religious history dating back to 706 AD.
With over 3 million visitors every year, Mont Saint-Michel is the third most visited tourist sight in France.
Mont Saint-Michel history and architecture facts
Mont Saint-Michel religious history facts
A the request of Archangel Michel, Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, built a chapel in 709. In 966, a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy. The first church was built before 1000. In the 11th century, the Romanesque abbey church was founded. The first monastery buildings were built up against its north wall. In the 12th century, the Romanesque monastery buildings were extended to the west and south. In the 13th century, a donation by the king of France, Philip Augustus enabled to start the Gothic section of the "Merveille ".
In the 14th century, the Hundred Years War made it necessary to protect the abbey behind a set of military constructions, enabling it to hold out against a siege lasting 30 years. In the 15th century, the Romanesque chancel of the abbey church, broken down in 1421 was replaced by the Gothic Flamboyant chancel. The Abbey was turned into a prison during the days of the French Revolution and Empire.
This tour by coach takes one day. If you have only one day, this is for you. It is very tiring to do the almost 8 hour driving yourself from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel and back in one day. The tour includes a lunch. A unique tour from Paris.
14 hours tour. 159 euros. Book tour
This unique two-day Normandy experience will take you far from the beaten path. You will be free to explore Mont Saint-Michel. You will visit its famous abbey and other sites, including a caramel shop where you will be offered a taste of their wares. Lunch and lodging will be provided in this picturesque village. You will explore Granville, the birthplace of Christian Dior, with its museum dedicated to the designer. The adventure will end at the Château de Breuil distillery, where you will enjoy a tasting.
Experience something unique spending a night in a 3-star hotel in Mont Saint-Michel. Discover this picturesque village and its famous abbey . Enjoy a magical evening and take in an incredible view of the bay. Walk in the footsteps of Christian Dior while visiting Granville. Taste traditional Norman dishes. Visit a cider works and taste its products.
2 days. Book tour
Aux chambres du Mont is located 7 km from Mont Saint-Michel. Free WiFi access is offered. Free public parking is available at a location nearby. Rooms here have a view of the Mont Saint-Michel, a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities. The en suite bathroom is complete with a shower. Central heating is available. A continental breakfast is available each morning.
From 708 until 1792, the Mont Saint-Michel was a European pilgrimage destination second only to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. A prestigious Benedictine monastery occupied the abbey until the French revolution abruptly closed it in 1792. Since 1966, monks and sisters are back to Mont Saint-Michel. The pilgrimages are more numerous every year.
Since 24 June 2001, following the appeal addressed to them in 2000 by Bishop Jacques Fihey, Bishop of Coutances and Avranches, two communities of monks and nuns of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem have been present at the Abbey of Mont- St. Michel and provide daily prayer, services and the monastic welcome. The community has seven sisters and four brothers. They live the mission that the Church has entrusted to them in their own charism of being "in the heart of the world" to be "in the heart of God". Their life revolves around prayer, work and fraternal life. The abbey has three services every day. Check web site.
Mont Saint-Michel is a unique pilgrimage place in western Europe. It is dedicated to Michael the Archangel. The position of the sanctuary is also very special. Initially the whole Norman area was covered by woods and sometimes it was invaded by the sea. Three huge rocks of granite and other types of stone detached themselves from the landscape: mount Tombe, mount Tombelaine and mount Dol. The first would become Mont Saint-Michel.
In the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel was seen as one of the most important journeys of faith underwent by the medieval man. Due to the difficulty of the road and the position of the sanctuary in the middle of the sea, it became a test of penitence and sacrifice for the medieval pilgrim. The pilgrims to Saint-Michel spread the word of God and the joy of having met the Archangel in the sanctuary beaten by the tides of the sea.
There are so many tourists in Mont Saint-Michel that restaurants don't have to compete. It is therefore very hard to find in Mont Saint-Michel a great French restaurant that is value for money, with one exception.
La Mère Poulard is not the best French restaurant. It is also not the cheapest restaurant. But, it is such an institution known all over the world that you should try it. Order the famous omelette or take a full menu. It is good food and well served. Back home, you will be able to say: I had a meal at La Mère Poulard.
