Le Mont

Le Mont Saint-Michel. Impressive. Stunning. Soul stirring. Inspiring. Every -ing thing. We are fortunate that this was our second trip to this amazing place. Some people wish their whole lives to go to this place — some have never heard of it. But it’s not a place that you would forget if you have been there.

Legend has it that the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avaranches (just to the east, across the bay) in the year 708 and instructed him to build a church on the island (it’s really just a huge hunk of granite). The building continued over the next 600 years or so. The abbey is a mixture of building styles that manage to look cohesive.

The bridge you see in the photo above was opened in 2014. Prior to the construction of that bridge, you could not access the island by vehicle during high tides. And, prior to the opening of the current parking lots and if you didn’t pay attention to the tides, your car could wash away! As it is, when there are “supertides”, as there was Tuesday of this last week, even the bridge is submerged. The shuttle bus is free and, if you stay overnight on the island (as we did), the parking is free too.

The Best Friend, her husband and the Goddaughter came to visit us for a week, so it was fun to take them to this incredible site. It was one of the places that we went to on the first trip and I couldn’t wait to go back! We stayed overnight the first time too. I know, I know, it’s ridiculously priced and the restaurants are expensive, but the experience of being on the island when there are very few people there is unique and special. We stayed at La Vielle Auberge. Great views from the upper rooms. Beds are too firm and the room is firmly stuck in about 2002 though. Auberge St Pierre is where the Best Friend and her family stayed. It sounds much nicer and also has wonderful views.

The abbey itself. What a fantastic place! But, before I get to photos, there was a wonderful opportunity that presented itself and I am so glad we took advantage of the situation! While we were touring the abbey, one of the big rooms (used to greet important guests to the abbey in medieval times) was set up for a concert. We heard the musicians practicing and they were doing Gregorian style chants. What a perfect place to hear something like that! We all decided (other than the Daughter, who had had enough) to attend later that evening. The group was from the Ukraine and was composed of five incredible talented singers and musicians (https://concertsrussesproduction.com/artistes/kouban/). It was a very enjoyable evening and I am so glad we had that opportunity. Leaving the abbey afterward was interesting: walking through the incredibly ancient rooms, with no one else around — they are a little dark…and then the stairs down. Yeah, I haven’t talked about the stairs yet. There are no elevators/escalators on the Mont. And you don’t get all the way up that hunk of rock magically.

And finally, I saw this little one as we were having lunch and had to take a photo! –

On Sunday, after we left the abbey, we decided to take our guests to another favorite location: the fortress at Fougeres. It wasn’t too far out of the way on this trip, and isn’t a spot a lot of Americans get to unless they are spending a little time in Brittany. We absolutely loved this place. Likely still our favorite castle 🏰 I’m not going to go into a ton of history on this one — you’ve had your fill above I’m sure! To summarize: built mostly in the 11-13th centuries, with a little 14-15th century additions. Incredible place, with an amazing amount still intact. I wish the manor house was still standing, but it gave up to the ravages of time about 200 years ago.

If you ever find yourself in Fougeres, on a Sunday, at lunchtime.. also starving and every single place is either full or closed, then there’s a lovely Chinese restaurant! It’s up on the main hill from the fortress and was surprisingly good food!