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My visit to Mont Saint-Michel was more than a day spent exploring a beautiful French national monument. It was a modern trek through a medieval treasure! The day included visits to monastery buildings and a Romanesque abbey church at the top, built in the 11th century.
Mont Saint-Michel’s Silhouette Stands Tall
The incredible structure sits on a small rocky island just off the northern coast of France in Normandy. As we approached Mont Saint-Michel, its
Inside the Massive Structure | A Busy Village
We parked and rode the free shuttle bus to the drop off near Mont Saint-Michel. We entered the fortified walls of through the main gate and purchased admission tickets there.
Once inside, the massive structure transformed into a busy, medieval village. I felt like I had traveled back in time!
There were shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars that lined the crowded, medieval street. (I found that gelato was my personal inspiration for tackling the stairs!)
As a tourist, I enjoyed the sites and sounds as we continued through the sometimes narrow corridors. As we followed the street, it continued to take us upward.
Climbing the stone steps, we stopped along the way and enjoyed the glimpses of the bay. Look below at the photo to see two groups of tourists who are walking (guided) across the bay.
Those Little Dots are Tourists!
At low tide, this was the only way to access Mont Saint-Michel before it was connected by a bridge. Today, visitors with bare feet venture out into the bay.
Keep climbing! It will be worth it at the top!
I enjoyed seeing the many interesting nooks and crannies, doors and spaces as I explored Mont Saint-Michel. Here is a sampling of what you can see there.
The abbey and monastery were built to honor the Archangel Michael. The top of the spire of the beautiful Romanesque church abbey sits 560 feet high.
I also enjoyed strolling through the cloister and looking at the courtyard by the monastery. This space was built as an area of contemplation for the monks. It’s beautifully maintained.
H
Mont Saint-Michel Has a Giant Wheel
An interesting medieval relic is a large wooden wheel that was used for lifting materials and supplies. Up to six men turned this hamster-style wheel to provide the “man” power needed to lift the supplies that arrived by boat.
There is so much to see and explore while visiting this amazing place. Over 20 rooms are open to visitors, and unique architectural features can be seen inside and out.
See Mont Saint-Michel
I’m so glad that my husband and I were able to travel to Normandy and spend time exploring Mont Saint-Michel. We enjoyed our trek through this stunning medieval village that’s crowned by a great Gothic abbey. There were a lot of stairs to climb, but it was an unforgettable experience. Now I understand why 3 million tourists and pilgrims visit Mont Saint-Michel each year.