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Mont Saint Michel

10 December 2014 / 22 Comments

The Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in France

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Located on the border between Normandy and Brittany, the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel in France is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And indeed it is a special building rising from the sea on the west coast of France. It is said that St Michel the Archangel asked St Aubert to build a chapel on the top of the mountain in 708. Today, you can visit this fascinating building as a tourist.

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A peninsula ... that sometimes becomes an island

Mont-Saint-Michel in France is located on the Mont-Tombe peninsula, which from time to time, depending on the tide, becomes an island. There used to be a road leading out to the monastery, and when the tide came in, the road disappeared and was gone for several hours before the tide came in again.

This meant that getting stuck on the road was a life-threatening situation, and in modern times it became a crisis for car traffic if there was a sudden queue on the road when the river was coming in. Today, a higher bridge has been built so that the three million tourists who come here every year can visit Mont-Saint-Michel without problems.

Frankrike Michel
Stor fiskmås

Shops and restaurants

At the bottom, on Grand Rue, there's a street full of small shops and restaurants. These neighbourhoods are really charming and cosy, and it's easy to feel like you've travelled back to the Middle Ages. Today, there are plenty of shops aimed at tourists, with everything from trinkets and art to clothing and jewellery.

Mont St Michel i Frankrike

Monastery and church

Going a little further up, you reach the monastery and the church, where you can visit countless halls, church rooms and crypts. On all sides there are also views of the Atlantic Ocean, which at low tide was more mud than sea. In summer, it's likely to be packed with tourists, judging by the size of the car parks and the number of restaurants.

Visiting this place in December was not bad at all! Walking through the majestic stone halls and church rooms felt rather peaceful. We highly recommend a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel in France, especially in December!

Mont-Saint-Michel i Frankrike

Travelling to Mont-Saint-Michel in France

Mont-Saint-Michel in France is easily accessible by car or camper van. A short distance away is a huge car park, which was quite empty, but is probably full in high season. From here you take a shuttle bus for the last part of the journey. There is also a caravan park nearby, on Route du Mont St Michel, where we stayed one night.

Ställplats vid Mont St Michel
RV park at Mont-Saint-Michel in France

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10 December 2014 18:03
France
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16 Comments

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  1. Ditte says:

    Definitely worth seeing! And certainly less tourists now than in the summers. I remember that it was very crowded when we were there in July. But it was worth queuing to get in.
    Stay well, we wish you all the best.

    10 December 2014 - 18:33

    Reply

  2. Scottish Moments says:

    Hope the car trouble is over for you now. But that is what is perfect, that you are not out for two weeks only and have to stress because of car problems! Must feel good that you have a whole year on you ... !
    Read with great interest your posts about France, because we will go there in March April sometime. Will be Cannes for our part so if you go there I will write up all your tips:)

    10 December 2014 - 19:26

    Reply

  3. Åsa says:

    Ah! I've heard about that one! There is a similar one in Cornwall; St Micheal's Mount. I have been there! Nice that it seems to work out with the car! / Åsa

    10 December 2014 - 20:47

    Reply

  4. BP says:

    Absolutely right to visit Mont St Michel off season. I wouldn't want to be crowded with thousands of tourists there. On the Grande Rue you will hardly get there then.

    10 December 2014 - 21:19

    Reply

  5. ActiveDays says:

    What places! The monastery is reminiscent of Harry Potter scenes, so would that appeal to my daughter?

    10 December 2014 - 23:05

    Reply

  6. Bosse and Gerd says:

    We both purr like cats... old memories come alive - thanks to you both !

    Hugs from Bosse and Gerd !

    11 December 2014 - 0:57

    Reply

  7. Marina says:

    Probably that's what you should do in most places, visit them "off season".

    11 December 2014 - 6:53

    Reply

  8. Marie says:

    So nice that the car seems to feel better! It seems to be so nice there in Mont st Michel and as someone previously wrote, you probably chose the right season for the visit.

    11 December 2014 - 8:28

    Reply

  9. Lena in Wales says:

    Good that the car was fixed. How nice to see Mont St Michel again. I have been there many times. Last time I was there it was very far to walk, before you could park just below the village. There were huge debates when they changed this. The restaurants on the way there had a lot to say, too much! And France is not corrupt at all!!!?!?
    St Mere Eglise is a nice little village with an interesting story about the parachutist.
    Have a great time in lovely France!

    11 December 2014 - 9:37

    Reply

  10. Mr Steve says:

    Nice to be on a long holiday without feeling like a tourist.

    11 December 2014 - 10:18

    Reply

  11. Pia says:

    Nice that the car is fixed! Looks very beautiful and a bit dramatic with the clouds behind! Nice to avoid too many people now in the winter!

    11 December 2014 - 10:47

    Reply

  12. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    Ditte, worth seeing! And big difference in crowd size I think. Far from queues now if you say so!
    😉

    Scottish Moments, how nice that you are going to France! We might make it to Cannes, but it will be a while... Spain and Portugal first...

    Åsa, oh interesting that there is a similar one in Cornwall!
    🙂

    BP, it wasn't really crowded... It was more peaceful...
    😉

    ActiveDays, definitely some fairytale atmosphere!
    🙂

    Bosse and Gerd, how nice to hear!
    🙂

    Marina, not bad at all, if you have the opportunity!

    Lena in Wales, interesting to hear from you who have been there several times. Now there were absolutely huge (very expensive) car parks. Then small buses came and picked up and drove forward.

    11 December 2014 - 12:50

    Reply

  13. Camilla says:

    Oh, what an impressive sight it must be irl! Became completely captivated just by seeing it in pictures 😀.

    11 December 2014 - 14:43

    Reply

  14. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    Camilla, that is really fascinating! And some of the other photos, taken by storm by professional photographers etc, are really incredible!

    11 December 2014 - 17:13

    Reply

  15. Katarina Wohlfart says:

    Is the camera still holding Peter? 😉

    13 December 2014 - 22:39

    Reply

  16. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    Catherine, Peter says he loves the camera!
    🙂

    14 December 2014 - 16:46

    Reply

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