Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is perched on top of a small rocky tidal island, about half a mile from the coastline. Originally the rock formation would have been connected to the mainland before rising sea levels and erosion cut it off. The first known use of the island was as a Gallo-Roman stronghold during the 6th-7th centuries. It then changed hands several times, taken by the Franks then gifted to the Bretons before falling in to Norman hands. The English repeatedly tried to take it during the Hundred Years War but failed. During this time, the stronghold grew from a small structure perched at the top of the rocky mound to an expansive walled fortification encompassing the entire island topped with an impressive Romanesque church and concealing underground crypts and chapels, designed in part to hold the weight of the outer structure.

Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, France / cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo shared by Djof

Chateau Gaillard

Chateau Gaillard stands on a cliff-faced hill high above the small town of Les Andelys. The castle was built in under a year – a remarkable feat at a time when major castles typically took around 10 years to build – under the instruction of Richard the Lionheart, King of England at the time when Normandy was under English control. It was built to defend the recently retaken Normandy from the French king, Philip II. The castle represented state of the art fortifications for the time, although lacking a well and being built on chalk left it susceptible to siege and undermining. Sure enough, after Richard’s death the castle was besieged by French forces and ultimately fell after a long siege when the outer walls were undermined. Despite being a ruin today, it is still an impressive site to visit.

Chateau Gaillard, Normandy, France / cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo shared by abac077

The Cote d-Albatre

The Cote d-Albatre, literally the Alabaster Coast, is a stretch of coastline in Normandy notable for its imposing chalk cliffs, reaching up to 120 metres in some areas and a regular subject for impressionist painter Claude Monet. Traveling along this impressive coastline you will discover some remarkable geographic formations. Near Etrat, for example, is the Manneporte, a huge natural arch some 90 metres high jutting out into the sea as depicted by Monet in his oil painting of the same name.

The Cote-d-Albatre, Normandy, France / cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo shared by arctic_flower

Longues-sur-Mer Battery

During the Second World War, Germany built a network of new costal fortifications along the French coastline. Many of these concrete bunkers housing artillery and shelter for German forces joined by networks of trenches are still intact. One example of these is the Longues-sur-Mer battery in Normandy, now classified as a historical monument. The complex consisted of a command post and four bunkers, each housing a permanent 150mm gun, still intact. The battery overlooks the channel from on top of a 65 metre high cliff, giving a panoramic view of the beaches below where the D-Day landing expeditionary force came ashore.

Longues-sur-Mer Battery, Normandy, France / cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo shared by mdl70

This article was written by Jane for Simply Chateau, a site created to promote and highlight the range of excellent value for money luxury villas available in France.

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Long before the construction of the abbey on Mont Saint-Michel, the rocky outcropping within the English channel were an important strategic stronghold during the sixth and seventh centuries it would not be until the Franks laid siege to the stronghold that it would eventually fall can be torn down completely.

Mont Saint-Michel, France by Stevage

Soon after, during the eighth century construction began on the first religious establishment on the island. The choice of constructing a church on the rocks was as a result of the Archangel Michael’s appearance before the Bishop of Avranches back in 708. According to the legend, Michael instructed the Bishop to construct a church on the island and rename it Mont Tombe.

For hundreds of years, the mount was under control of France. However, in 1076 when the Normans conquered England, the island was annexed and made part of Britain. Soon after, the Normans financed the construction of an all new abbey on the island.

Aerial picture of Mont Saint-Michel, France by Playing Futures: Applied…

During the 12th century, Robert de Thorigny reinforced many of the buildings within the abbey in order to protect it from the oncoming battles with Normandy. Soon after the Norman annexation, King Philip financed instruction of an all new rectory and cloister in 1204.

Of course many things changed during the French Revolution as most of the monks had moved out of the abbey. As a result, the abbey was officially closed and turned into a prison responsible for holding the highest profile political prisoners. But unfortunately its use as a present would not last long because in 1836, the prison was finally closed down and declared a monument of historical importance. By 1979, Mont Saint-Michel was established as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Inside of the Mont Saint-Michel abbey, France by mat’s eye

Access to Mont Saint-Michel is currently made possible by a causeway that extends from the shoreline to the island. However, many pilgrims choose to ignore the causeway altogether an attempt to cross on foot to the island. As result of the quickly changing tides and the quicksand, this can be a very dangerous and sometimes deadly decision. Even today, it is not uncommon to hear about somebody being injured after trying to cross to the island via the tidal flats.

Of course once you arrive to the island, getting up to the abbey is no easy task. There are more than 900 steps that make their way from the shores of the mountain up to the entrance of Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. But do not worry, you will find that halfway up the stairway is a small church which has been carved into the side of the mountain; you will find that this is a perfect place to stop and take a rest.

Mont Saint-Michel in dark, France by Destination Europe

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is definitely a unique day trip. Countless people every single year make their way to the island to see the centuries old abbey and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the surrounding region.

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