Overview

Hype:

Le Mont-Saint-Michel (Saint Michaels Mount) is an island commune in Normandy, France. It is located about 0.6 miles off the countrys northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches and is 247 acres in size. The island has held strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. The communes position made it accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey, but defensible as an incoming tide stranded, drove off, or drowned would-be assailants. The Mont remained unconquered during the Hundred Years War; a small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. The reverse benefits of its natural defence were not lost on Louis XI, who turned the Mont into a prison. Thereafter the abbey began to be used more regularly as a jail during the Ancien Régime.

Time:

Fees: Entrance ree for the monastery

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en/accueil.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/

Getting There

Navigate to 48.636063, -1.511457.

Location

Closest City or Region: Le Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Coordinates: 48.636063, -1.511457

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Brochure

August 12, 2017 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye,

Story

Island only: Greg and Laura

We had a ton of fun at Mont Saint-Michel. The lower portion of the island has some really fun souvenir shops and restaurants and narrows alleys and stairways (a maze, really). Then Tara and I went up top to the Abbey, which was also very cool. 

Pictures