Well yet another glorious day has dawned. We rise at 8 and have breakfast then off we head to the famous Mont Saint-Michel. We decide to walk the 2.5km from the site at Camping aux Pomierre to Mont Saint Michel. Just cross the road and then follow the flat footpath/cycle path along the river/causeway to the car park terminal at Mont Saint-Michel where you hop on the free shuttle bus that leaves every 20 minutes to the gates of the Mont.
Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island located some 600metres off the north western coast of France at the mouth of the river Couesnon. Used in the 6th century as a stronghold and then later on in the 8th century the monastery was built. According to legend the Archangel Michael appeared to the then Bishop of Avranches, Saint Aubert, and requested him to build the monastery. It has had a chequered history and was even a prison for a time. In 1874 the Mont was finally listed a historic monument.
Last time we were here it was really busy so we purposely made our visit early morning to beat the crowds. It was lovely to stroll through the narrow alleys rather than shuffle through the crowds. There are plenty of shops and places to eat, hotels and even a post office. Your legs get plenty of exercise as you climb up the steps to the ramparts and the Abbey.
A lot of renovation was going on at the time of our last visit and it was nice to see all the construction had been completed. The scaffolding is now down and the new cause way has been completed. Major engineering works have been undertaken to return the Mont to its island status. It was in danger of being surrounded by salt marshes instead of water. If nothing had been done, by 2040 sand would have built up once and for all around the Mont Saint-Michel.
A new dam has been using the combined forces of tide and river water. We got off the shuttle at the midway stop on our return to see the dam. (There are also shops, hotels and restaurants here). This will push the sediment out to the sea by tidal waters and the Couesnon. The Mont will regain its maritime dimension for many years to come.
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