Mont Saint Michel – a medieval treasure

Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, in southwestern Normandy, France. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The island is home to a sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in France.

The original name of the sanctuary is Mons Sancti Michaeli in periculo mari (in Latin) or Mont Saint-Michel au péril de la mer (in French), meaning “Mount Saint Michael in the Peril of the Sea.”

According to legend, in the 10th century, Bishop Aubert of Avranches was visited by the Archangel Michael three times. The first two times, the bishop ignored the angel, but on the third visit, Michael touched the bishop’s head with his finger, leaving a hole. The bishop then built a sanctuary on the rocky island in honor of the Archangel Michael.

The sanctuary was eventually expanded into a monastery, which became a major pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages. The monastery was closed during the French Revolution, but it was reopened in the 20th century. Today, Mont Saint-Michel is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.

How to get to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris ?

By train– the fastest way to get to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris is by train. Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Pontorson, which takes about 3 hours. From Pontorson, take the free shuttle bus to Mont Saint-Michel, which takes about 10 minutes. The round-trip train ticket from Paris Montparnasse to Pontorson costs around €40.

By bus– there are no direct buses from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel. However, there are day trips available from Paris that include transportation to Mont Saint-Michel. These trips are typically in English. The day trips from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel typically cost around €100.

By car– driving to Mont Saint-Michel is the most convenient option, but it is important to note that the last parking lot is 3 kilometers from the island and it is expensive. It is best to leave your car in Pontorson and take the free shuttle bus. The parking fee at the last parking lot in Pontorson is €12 for the day.

After arriving on the island, almost everything you see around you will be a historical monument. At the entrance to the medieval town, there is a preserved guardhouse (Burgher’s Guardroom), which now houses a tourist office.

By passing through the gate “porte du Boulevard” or “porte du Roi”, you can get to the main street of the island, called Grande Rue, where you will find museums, shops, and houses built in the 15th-16th centuries.

The city has four museums:

• L’Archeoscope tells the story of the construction and history of Mont-Saint-Michel.
• The Historical Museum houses a collection of ancient weapons, paintings, and sculptures. It also has a section on the surrounding prisons and dungeons.
• The Sea and Ecology Museum tells the story of the city and its relationship with the sea.
• Logis Tiphaine (le logis Tiphaine demeurede Bertrand Duguesclin) is a residence that Bertrand du Guesclin built for his wife in 1365. It houses decorative fabrics, furniture, and paintings from the 14th century.

Next, on your tour route, you will encounter a small parish church of St. Pierre, constructed at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries in honor of the fishermen’s patron saint. To reach the monastery directly, you should ascend the Grand Stairs.

Mont Saint-Michel is a place that will stay with you long after you leave. It is a place where you can connect with the past, the present, and the future. It is a place where you can feel the power of faith, the human spirit, and nature. If you are ever in France, I highly recommend visiting Mont Saint-Michel. It is an experience unlike any other.