Grammy Writes

The Intrigue of Mont St. Michel

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It is not unusual for me to be intrigued by things I see when we travel, or to feel an emotional or spiritual connection to a place. Sometimes I am immediately aware that a particular time and place will permanently reside in my memory. Mont Saint Michel in France was all of that for me. I knew even before we left for France that I would be fascinated by this amazing tidal island upon which sits a majestic 1,300-year-old abbey.

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I read about Mont St. Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and how its location has much to do with its magnificence. One mile off the coast of Normandy, the Mont rises out of nowhere while ever-changing tides completely transform the beautiful sandy bay that surrounds it. Throw in the charm of a medieval village at its base, and an abbey with a gilded statue of Saint Michael at the top, and you have all the makings of a truly unforgettable experience.

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Granted, you must ignore the throngs of tourists, but it’s not hard to imagine the draw Mont St. Michel must have held for the monks who lived here and the millions of Christians who made pilgrimages here for centuries. It has been a holy site since the year 708, when the archangel Michael appeared to a local bishop and instructed him to build a church here.

After an exhausting climb up a series of stairs, we realized how worth the effort it had been once we reached the abbey terrace where impressive views stretched across the bay.

The ancient buildings at this level defy the laws of balance as they wrap, one on top of the other, around the peak of the island. It was amazing!

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At the very top of the island sits the abbey church. Medieval builders, wise beyond comprehension, supported the weight of the church by constructing crypts among the rocks under the abbey.

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We took a path through the abbey leading up to the cloisters which had no roof and seemed suspended between heaven and earth… the perfect place to be closer to God for those in prayer.

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A large wooden wheel and pulley system was added in 1820 when the abbey was briefly used as a prison. Prisoners would walk inside the wheel like hamsters to hoist supplies from below.

Today, only 30-40 people permanently live on the island, including about a dozen monks and nuns… and birds! Thousands of birds!

We chose not to, but those who walk on the beach must avoid going out too far because dangerous quicksand is prevalent at low tide. They must also be alert as the sea sweeps in quickly during the daily rush of tides.

By the time our tour group left Mont St. Michel, the gray skies had given way to a bit of blue, but this place is one I’d love to see in every kind of light and all levels of tide. I want to see it surrounded by the sea when the tide is high, and as the sun glares on the sand like a desert when the tide is low. I want to see it at sunset, and after dark when the abbey is brilliantly lit, and in the morning when the entire bay is drenched in foggy mist. I want to witness the fierceness of a storm and watch as waves pound the ancient stone walls. And I want to see Mont Saint Michel without crowds and listen as secluded monks mumble their prayers for peace in this place that’s as close to heaven as they can get.

To say I was intrigued by this place would be an understatement, I suppose!

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24 comments

  8. MSM is a bucket list item I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to put a check mark next to. If I understand correctly, a visit would be a long day trip from Paris, or something you would add to a Normandy itinerary. Regardless, I hope I find a way to go. Your photos and description only add to its mystique.

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    • Yes, not a bad trip from the beaches of Normandy, and both are so worth seeing, in my opinion. There are so many “bucket list” worthy places to go… I imagine no one ever makes it to them all.

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible journey with us. Your storytelling is truly captivating, and the stunning photographs bring each moment to life. Your talent shines through in every shot, capturing the essence and beauty of each scene perfectly. I feel privileged to be part of this experience through your lens.

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