The Mont Saint Michel is an abbey built on an island across Normandy and Brittany. This well fortified construction with its blocks of granite coming from Brittany and the Chausey islands is quite an accomplishment. It was begun in the 11C with the building of a Church on the top of the rock. The Gothic abbey was built in the 13C at the same time as the battlements of «The Marvel». The current clock tower dates from 1897. Your visit is carried out in stages and allows you to discover the fortifications of the Abbey, the Church in which the chevet is a masterpiece of grace and lightness, The Marvel, which is the name of given a to Gothic buildings on the north side.
This includes the cloister, which seems to be suspended between sea and sky and with its delicately chiselled sculptures it is a little miracle of harmony and the refectory crowned by a wood-panelled vault with diffuse light which never ceases to amaze. The Salle des Hotes (Hosts Room) where the abbots received important visitors is among the most elegant; divided in two by a tapestry, one part (with two large chimneys) served as a kitchen, the other served as a dining room. The vast knights' room, an «old scriptorium» of the monks does not lack attractions. Similarly you'll discover in the cellar, the old Romanesque abbey,(still charming) where a part of the monks dormitory still remains and the big wheel which was driven by prisoners and was used to bring up goods and provisions.
You'll see plenty of history on Mt St Michel, but even more other tourists. In fact, the crowd is so thick at times, that it is almost impossible to see anything.
Currently motorists can drive to the bottom of the island an a man-made causeway. The causeway is scheduled for demolition in 2009 and the island character returned to Mt St Michel. Tourists will still be able to access the island by boat, which should limit their numbers to an acceptable level. Clearly, the current amount of tourists on Mt St Michel spoils the experience and it is best to see the island from across the water.
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