Along with the world-famous Eiffel Tower, there is another visiting card of France. This time we are not talking about a separate building, but a whole complex that occupies the territory of a small island. This is one of the most picturesque corners of Normandy, which is rightfully considered a real monument of French history - this is the island-monastery of Mont Saint-Michel.
Read how to get a visa to France on your own in our life hack.
The history of the granite giant
The impressive island, which is based on millions of tons of granite, is only 930 meters in diameter, and the highest point is located at an altitude of only 92 meters above sea level. It was he who was chosen back in the 8th century by the Benedictine monks, who became its full-fledged masters for many centuries, having built a real abbey.
There is a legend according to which the site for the construction of the monastery was not chosen by chance. In a dream, the archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Avranches and ordered to build a monastery on the island to commemorate the battle between the light forces of the heavenly army and the satanic hordes, who appeared in the form of a dragon. According to the vision, it was here, on the granite ledges of the island, that the fatal meeting of two eternal opponents - good and evil - took place.
The construction of the monastery undertook to finance the Norman dukes, who saw not only religious significance in its rough outlines, but also strategic. It was the island that was to become the first stronghold of the numerous Viking raids to which Normandy was systematically subjected.
The construction of the central building of the abbey lasted for a long 500 years from 1017, when the first stone was laid, to 1520. And by the 12th century, the monastery had become one of the main religious centers for numerous pilgrims from Europe. The finishing touches, which completed the image of the modern monastery, were introduced until the 17th century, as a result of which a complex complex of buildings and structures began to rise above the island, in the architecture of which Gothic and Romanesque styles overlapped.
Everyone who sees with their own eyes this masterpiece of human creation with delight and hope will watch the buildings literally scrambling along the steep slopes towards the sun, the crown of which is the graceful church of Marvel. All this creates a truly mesmerizing landscape, which only the famous creation of the Eiffel can compare with here. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that this grandiose complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Island crashing into the ocean
Mont Saint-Michel is able to give some of the most vivid and unforgettable impressions in the life of everyone who is lucky enough to be here. It is difficult to find the right words to convey the sensations that you experience every time you sit at a table on a restaurant terrace with a tablecloth whitened to a crunch and greedily absorb the vast expanse of the ocean with your eyes as colorfully and accurately as possible.
And what is the air here! Just to say that every breath starts to spin your head and the pulse is hitting your temples faster - it will obviously not be enough. He's special here. It is the local air that best suits such a description as "soaked with age-old dampness" sea air. The impressions will be especially vivid during high tide, which, like a leopard tracking down its prey, is picked up silently and unnoticed.
The island is located in the northwest of France and is part of the group of islands located in the bay of the same name. It is only 2 km from the mainland of the state and at low tide it is not difficult to get to it. Although, due to the local features of the sea weather, the island sometimes seems to be an impregnable fort, the path to which is blocked by huge gray-green waves that break with a run on the rocks below.
It is interesting that, even despite such proximity to mainland France, as well as to historical Normandy, Britain has repeatedly tried to "redraw" the local borders in its favor and make the island another distant haven for its many ships. This is due to the crazy popularity of this place, with which, according to this criterion, only one place can compete - the French capital. Because of this, the French, who were never distinguished by excessive modesty, called these places "the eighth wonder of the world."
How to get there
Of course, after such a vivid description of the local beauties, the image of an old carriage with a forged frame, harnessed by a pair of black horses, appears in my head. It is they who must deliver the real adventurer to the wooden suspension bridge, which, sank with a creak, will reveal its secrets and untold riches that have been preserved here since time immemorial. To complete the image of an ancient castle, the only thing missing here is the statues of mythical monsters - chimeras.
Perhaps a couple of centuries ago, this is exactly what the path to the world famous abbey looked like. But today you can get to the Abbey of Saint-Michel much more comfortably. For example, buying a ticket for an express train from Paris to Rennes (about 55.8 euros), and then changing to a regular bus that will take travelers to the foot of the monastery (a little more than 11 euros). There is also a system of discounts, which will be a pleasant surprise for young travelers.
If you want to save money or just prefer to travel with an ascetic bias, we recommend the bus route through Pontorson. The regular bus runs only 6 times a day, but the journey will cost only 5 euros. But such inconvenience will not be a serious obstacle for true adventure seekers.
You can also go to the holy place by car. But in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is recommended to leave the car in a specially designated place, where it will be safe at high tide, and walk the remaining couple of kilometers on foot.
If you decide to go to the island in order to replenish your personal photo album with new pictures, and your hearts have vivid impressions, we highly do not recommend choosing the summer months for your trip. During this period, the influx of tourists to the monastery is simply enormous, which will not allow to fully appreciate the beauty of these places. And, of course, we advise you to purchase a by-catch calendar, using which you can choose the best time for a photo hunt and take simply stunning pictures of the landscapes that open from the fortress walls.
Do not forget to take into account the peculiarities of the local climate, which clearly will not allow you to defile in a colorful sundress and light sandals. The harsh winds, which feel like full-fledged masters of the local open spaces, have a negative attitude towards such equipment of tourists. But the most important accompanying during the trip should be humility. After all, it is the humble tourists who will be able to count on enlightenment within the walls of this holy place.
Entertainment and excursions
When you get tired of looking at the raging ocean and following the endless cycles of ebb and flow, you can go for a walk around the island, during which you will find many more interesting acquaintances and discoveries. But before that, close your eyes for a minute and imagine that the courtyard is the heyday of the medieval knightly era, and you are none other than the main character of Dumas's beloved novel from youth. Have you presented? Then let's go!
The royal gate, a little rough, but created with a medieval taste, lancet stone vaults, as well as a huge knight's hall and refectory, where the bass voices of the island's defenders hummed several hundred years ago, as well as numerous streets meandering, as if luring into the interior of the island - all this will require a lot of attention and time from you.
Do you like mystery and different puzzles? There is more than enough of this stuff here! On the streets there are many secret passages that lead to another part of the monastery, and the wooden doors upholstered with iron frames emit sounds that are so clearly remembered from the days of watching films about the exploits of knights and medieval castles.
All this, no doubt, will leave an unforgettable mark in the memory of every visitor of these marvelous places, will beckon again and again to plunge into the charm and unique charm of the monastery, which is located on the island of Mont Saint-Michel.
Well, and how to get around one of the most mysterious places on the island - a small vaulted room called "Notre Dame underground". There are many legends and traditions that reveal the history of this mysterious place from different angles. And you should definitely get to know many of them.
Local kitchen
If you decide to go to the island, you should definitely get acquainted with the local cuisine traditions. The menu of the restaurants located on the island is represented by national dishes of Breton cuisine, the basis of which is lamb dishes. In addition, lovers of seafood, meat dishes and salads will be able to discover a lot of new things.
Before ordering a meat steak or other similar dish, remember that the French prefer low-cooked, almost raw meat. Depending on the order, you will have to pay from 14 to 35 euros for dinner.
You can stay in one of the local hotels, some of which are located on the first floors of buildings that date back to the 15-16th century. From the windows of hotel rooms you can enjoy marvelous landscapes until dusk, and a wonderful mood in the morning guarantees clean sea air, which in just a couple of nights will saturate your body with useful salts and minerals.
Use the services of kiwitaxi and at the airport, at the specified time, the driver will be waiting for you, help with the luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several car classes are available - from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and the address within Paris. A taxi from / to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your destination.
