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The long history of Mont Saint-Michel is thought to date back to 708,
when Aubert, Bishop of Avranches had a sanctuary built on Mont-Tombe in
honour of the Archangel. The Mount soon beacame a major focus of
pilgrimage. In the 10th century, the Benedictines settled in the Abbey, while a village grew up below its walls. By the 14th century, it extended as far as the foot of the rock. An impregnable stronghold during the Hundred Years War, Mont Saint-Michel is also an example of military architecture.
Following the dissolution of the religious community during the revolution and until 1863, the Abbey was used as a prison. Classified as a historic monument in 1874, it underwent major restoration work. Mont Saint-Michel has been listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO since 1979.
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Places to visit
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 Mont Saint-Michel Abbey |
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Welcome to Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, a legendary monument…
Rising out of an ever-changing environment of sand and sea, Mont Saint-Michel
exemplifies man’s ingenuity when faced with the challenge of time
and the elements. Perched on the uppermost point of a solitary rock in
a landscape smoothed by the passage of the winds, the abbey reminds us
of the daring ambition of the builders and those who, since 708,
desired to make this isolated place a meeting point for all.
Viewed from its heights, everything takes on a special allure: the
wonders of medieval architecture, the force of nature, the quality of
the light… Last visit 1 hour before closing.
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Historic Museum |
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The History Museum retraces a 1000 years of Mont Saint-Michel’s history, including its architecture, builders, prisons and dungeons. Observe the Bay with the periscope dating from the 19th century.
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Archeoscope |
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Where history meets
legend, the Archeoscope will take you to a timeless place, on an
unforgettable adventure. In our unique show, using highly sophisticated
technology, immerse yourself in the heart of magical and sacred moments.
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Tiphaine Logis |
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Visit Tiphaine
Lodge, the 14th century house that Bertrand Duguesclin, Chief of the
King of France’s army, had built in 1365 for his wife Tiphaine
“the gentle fairy”, specialist in astrology.
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Museum of sea and ecology |
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The Sea and Ecology
Museum harbours a collection of 250 boat models. The Science and
Environment Zone explains how tides work, why the Mont Saint-Michel Bay is silting up, the work being done to correct this, and the dangers present in the Bay.
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THE BAY OF MONT SAINT-MICHEL
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Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay are listed by UNESCO as World Natural and Cultural Site.
Home to the highest tides in Europe, the bay can be explored bare foot with a guide just like pilgrims used to cross to reach the Mount.
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Information :
Avranches Tourist Office: 02 33 58 00 22
Pontorson Tourist Office : 02 33 60 20 65
Porte de la Baie Tourisme - Sartilly Tourist Office : 02 33 79 36 88
Maison de la Baie de Genêts : 02 33 89 64 00
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