Although the island (Mont Saint-Michel) is well known to the French and is visited by a large number of tourists each year, the island and the large church on which it is located still remain an unspoken mystery. The island of Mont Saint Michel is one of the unforgettable sights of Europe. The island is located in an enchanting bay where the Normandy and Brittany regions meet and dazzle the eye of any viewer from afar. This amazing place has long aroused the wonder and imagination of passers-by.
(Mont Saint-Michel) With the exception of some of the monuments and attractions of Paris, it is the most visited attraction in France. The island is located in the English department of Normandy, with a beautiful Gothic monastery overlooking this stunning medieval city. The monastery is located on a small granite cliff at the mouth of the Couesnon River in the area of Mont Saint Michel Bay. Mont Saint-Michel is one of the first monuments to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
The island of Monte Saint-Michel and its environs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the bottom of the Couesnon River, and extreme ocean tides cause the surrounding area to become constantly dry and waterlogged. The only way to connect the island with land is a bridge and a road that ends at the beach and is surrounded by quicksand and rock, which sometimes closes in bad weather under the influence of sea waves. The island church has been the scene of several films and has been seen by many, the Gothic architecture, the towering heights of the church, the small size of the island and its interesting history have made Mont Saint-Michel a special tourist attraction.
In the eighth century AD, Obert, bishop of Avranches, claimed that Michael, a close angel, had persuaded him to build a church on the island. The church was built in 708 AD and was donated to St. Michel, the patron saint of sailors. From 966 onwards, the dukes of Normandy, and subsequently the French kings, supported the development of the Benedictine Monastery on the island of Mont Saint Michel. The amazing old buildings and the high part of it called Marvel were added to it in the Middle Ages. Despite the royal strife, countless pilgrims visited the church.
In addition to the church, Mont Saint-Michel is a complete medieval city. It is one of the few places in France that has retained its medieval defensive walls and fortifications and, despite its small size, has a small mayor and residents. There are also beautiful buildings along its sloping rural street, which have now been turned into museums, hotels, restaurants and boutiques for tourists.
In 1880, a path like a sidewalk on water was built for the well-being of tourists, but the construction of a sidewalk and human activities such as agriculture, as well as a significant increase in the number of tourists, put the island at risk of sedimentation.
The deposition went so far that if no serious action was taken, the island would be surrounded by dry land instead of water. Recently, important operations have been carried out to preserve the marine nature of Mont Saint-Michel.
Mont Saint-Michel Bay, with a 15-meter high tide, is one of the steepest tide spots in Europe. The highest fashions occur during the day or following the advent of the new moon, the full moon, and especially in the spring and autumn equinoxes. Water at this time covers the entire island (except for the sidewalk).
Do not expect special and luxurious food on this small island, but the omelets of Mont Saint Michel are very famous. Omelets in which the eggs are well stirred and cooked with hot butter. At the top of the hill you will find simpler restaurants and eateries that, in addition to omelets, also offer traditional French cuisine. The advantage of these simpler restaurants is the spectacular view and the lower prices of the food.
Mont Saint-Michel is not a big souvenir market, but if you insist on buying something and taking it home, your best choice could be the island’s famous butter cookies. Crispy, sweet and delicious cookies are sold in cans or packages in various sizes, and you can even prepare these cookies from restaurants and eat them as a snack or take them with you.