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Mont Saint-Michel
A 1,300 year old monastery built atop a single rock, with accessibility dependent on the tides
Category Anomalous Islands, Curious Places of Worship
Set atop a solid rock in the middle of a bay, the abbey and surrounding town was originally only accessible as the tides allowed. Although subsequent development has allowed 24 hours access to the island, an in-progress dam will restore the rock to its previous state as entirely surrounded by water during high tide.
Regardless of whether there exists a 24 hour bridge to the rock or not, Mont Saint-Michel remains a singularly beautiful structure atop a amazing geological formation. During the day take a tour of the abbey and the (tiny) surrounding town. Even better, stay overnight in one of the hotels and you'll have the run of the grounds as the island empties to only a handful of residents after dark.
The abbey was originally built to the schematics of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, after both an abbot and a count had had visions of St. Michael. Historians suggest, though, that this was merely a scheme to increase tourism into the area.
This place also is of interest for those of us, who are into the Arthurian mythology, as Thomas Malory claims that this is the place where King Arthur himself battled a virgin devouring giant, before going off on his campaign against the emperor of Rome.
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- Website Official Site (English)
- Address B.P. 22, Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Comments
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Indeed, last time I was there, there was an exhibition on the plans to remove the car park, in order to restore the ecological habitat of the tidelands. I have no idea to what extent the project has been executed. As far as I remember, the car park would be relocated to the land, with at least part of the causeway remaining - though there may be an alternative option, keeping the island accessible at high tide. While walking the sands to the Mont is indeed an attractive option, you do have to keep an eye on the tide, as it is swift in the bay - at times, you won't even make it on horseback. Also, a very large part of the bay consists of quicksand, so tread with care.
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Heard that there are plans to remove the car parking on the causeway?
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The best (albeit ill-advised) thing about Mont San Michel is walking out into the ankle-trapping mud flats at low tide to get a view of the island without the land-bridge. This requires a willing disregard for the colorful signs warning that you can drown in the quicksand that show a hand disappearing below the muck.
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A few years ago, some artists turned Mont Saint-Michel into the biggest sundial ever: http://mooonriver.blogspot.com/2007/03/solar-mount.html
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