Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, France

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The Mont At Night

On my last trip there, we left the Mont a few minutes before sun down and parked the car on the road out where we had a good view.

As the sun came down and the night came up, lights progressively lit up. First one here and there, around the cathedral, then around the town, one after the other... until the night was dark and the Mont was light.

What a sight!

There is not describing the excitement and thrill to see such a wonder come to life this way.

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The Mad River Cuesnon 

"Et le Cuesnon dans sa folie
mi le mont en Normandie."

This is a little saying forever carved into my memory from having heard it countless times as a kid.

For the benefit of non-French speaking readers, here's what it says:

"And the Cuesnon in its madness
placed the mont in Normandy."

The "Guenon" is the river that flows between present Brittany and Normandy and the border between the two regions. It used to change its course now and then, at times placing the Mont in Brittany, and others in Normandy. With modern life evolving and construction taking place around it, the river has since been restricted to a more permanent path... only when that took place, the Mont happened to be in Normandy.

Oh, and yes, the little saying above is quoted by folks from Brittany off course, which is where I grew up.

So now you know... :-)

From My Personal Photography 

Revisiting a childhood playground.

These photographs are my own, taken during a trip with family to the Mont in November of 2007. I created a cafepress shop to be able to display a selection. Please feel free to browse and take the time to look through the 2 calendar options for more images.

Abbey Greeting Card

The Abbey garden in the upper levels of the cathedral, where monks walk in meditation.

Greeting Card

Price: 3.99 Buy Now

French Coast Wall Calendar

Now available, 2009 calendar. Very much worth it just for the images (from Normandy and Brittany, France). Click on the link to see each individual month.

Wall Calendar

Price: 17.99 Buy Now

Mont St. michel Street, Greeting Cards (Pk of 10)

One among a multitude of tiny streets in the Mont.

Greeting Cards (Pk of 10)

Price: 16.99 Buy Now

Mont St. Michel Large Framed Print

Taken from the roof tops, looking out towards the bay area.

Large Framed Print

Price: 38.99 Buy Now

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Tombs of the Sea 

Origins

The Mont Saint Michel was not always the incredible world treasure that you see now.

Its history starts as a simple rock, about 80 m. tall (240 ft.).
Originally called Mont-Tombe, or "Mont Tomb," as Celtic mythology refered to these "tombs of the sea," and thought to be a refuge for the souls of the departed.

That is, until October of the year 708...

 

Bishop Aubert orders a chapel dedicated to St. Michael to be build on the very rock. It is to be identical to the one on Mont Gargano, in Italy.

The archangel Michael had appeared three time to Bishop Aubert, commanding him to do so, and only upon the third request did Aubert agree.

12 monks were to reside at the chapel, living off donations from surrounding villages.

note: further history coming soon.

People Blog About It 

What are people saying about the Mont

Hampatura: Jean-Patrick Razon
Jean-Patrick Razon. Mont Saint-Michel, août 2009. Publié par Yurupari à l'adresse 23:04. 0 commentaires: Enregistrer un commentaire · Message plus récent Message plus ancien Accueil. Inscription à : Publier les commentaires (Atom) ...
Louvre, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel on strike alert tomorrow ...
Louvre, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel on strike alert tomorrow. by Alison Brick (RSS feed) on Dec 1st 2009 at 12:30PM. Workers at Paris' modern art center Pompidou are already on strike over planned job cuts, but those at other French ...
~~In My Dreams~~: Mellow Yellow - Mont St. Michel
My single most memorable destination that I've had the pleasure to visit is Mont St. Michel off the coast of France. Here its world is filled with an encroaching storm and the wind bends the lush yellow/green grass. ...

The Mont on eBay 

I placed an automatic search for Mont Saint Michel in eBay. Hopefully what comes up will actually be related.

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eBay

Displaying It's Medieval Majesty 

My Other Travel Lenses 

He he he... watch for the sheep! (photo by me)

In The News 

Louvre, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel on strike alert tomorrow
by Alison Brick (RSS feed) on Dec 1st 2009 at 12:30PM Workers at Paris' modern art center Pompidou are already on strike over planned job cuts, ...
St. Malo And Mont St. Michel's
We were there to rest up after our two-day journey from Lisbon, and to take in the historic abbey and church at Mont St. Michel (I've always heard "Mt. St. ...
Go ahead, forget to pack your skis and snowshoes
A former dogsledding guide, Beaudoin is also looking forward to an excursion in March to St. Michel des Saints. "Dogsledding is hard work, ...

New Flickr Photos 

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Fly In To Paris... 

... then take the train to Normandy.

To visit, I would suggest flying in to Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and then taking a train to Normandy.

A lot of traveling agencies will tell you it's better to buy your train ticket beforehand from the States -DON'T!

Strikes in France happen every other day, and if you have a pre-bought ticket, you won't be refunded. Agencies just want the commission.

Buy your ticket directly from the train station when you get there. It's easy and trains leave all the time.

The TGV, High Speed Train (Train Grande Vitesse) will get you there in a couple hours. It's fun and a comfortable way to travel.

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Fr.e.e images for your lenses

Hello Traveler! 

Thanks for visiting. I hope you will consider the Mont Saint Michel on your next trip to Europe. I can guarantee you will love it!

Please kindly rate this lens and do let me know what you think of it here.

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  • Reply
    Ramkitten Ramkitten Apr 9, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
    I had the pleasure of visiting Mont St. Michel when I was teenager, on a high school trip to France. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me, and I recall the tour guide saying the tide comes in like galloping horses. I remember walking up the winding cobblestone streets to the top. I will definitely go back for another visit someday. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
  • Reply
    janices7 janices7 Mar 7, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
    Great lens....just visited Mont St. Michel last summer. What a site to behold. I've featured your lens on my Visit Normandy France (http://www.squidoo.com/visit-normandy-france) lens. 5*!
  • Reply
    poddys poddys Nov 29, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
    I haven't been to Mont St. Michel in years, but I was there at least 3 times - lost count it was so long ago. I love Normandy and Brittany, such spectacular scenery. Thanks for the lovely comments on my Bournemouth lens.
  • Reply
    MuddyLaBoue MuddyLaBoue Aug 8, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
    p.s. I've added you to my lensroll on Travel Tips: Focus on France!
  • Reply
    MuddyLaBoue MuddyLaBoue Aug 8, 2008 @ 11:54 am
    This is such a nice lens! Thanks for letting me know about it! I was out of town for a few days... sorry about the delay in my return visit. My husband and I visited the parking lot at Mont-Saint-Michel in May (my first time!), but he was suffering from gout in his foot, and so we didn't get very far.
    p.s. Thanks for visiting my lens about visiting France!

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