m ic h e l tourist office

ont Saint-Michel, the “ Merveille de l’Occident ”
(Wonder of the West) owes to its original setting
and its fine architecture its ranking as one of the
major monuments for visitors in France. Around
a kilometre in circumference, this rocky islet rises
to a height of 80 metres and is linked to the Bay by
a bridge. In the 21st century, Mont Saint-Michel
has perpetuated its thousand year tradition of
accommodating visitors. Twice a month, during the
spring tides, the flood tide is a wonderful sight,
registering the biggest tides in Europe.
MONT SAINT-MICHEL
MONT SAINT-MICHEL
Le Marché
du Mt St-Michel
Abbey
Le Relais
Mercure**** Hôtel
Le Pré Salé Gabriel*** du Roy*** La Digue***
Dam
BRIDGE
Tour du Nord
WC
Tourist Office
In the Main Street
"Grande Rue"
Le Saint-Michel
Les Terrasses Poulard
La Vieille Auberge**
La Cloche
Le Tripot
Café Mère Poulard
Le Mouton Blanc**
Le Saint-Michel
Le Du Guesclin**
Le Chapeau Rouge
La Croix Blanche***
La Belle Normande
Le Petit Breton
La Fringale
La Sirène
Le Saint-Pierre***
Les Terrasses Poulard***
La Confiance
La Mère Poulard***
Le Relais St-Michel****
P
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St-Aubert**
La Bergerie
Brioche Dorée
Les Galeries
du Mont Saint-Michel
VISITORS
Hôtel Vert**
La Rôtisserie
• CAMPSITE
• HOTELS-RESTAURANTS
• BARS • RESTAURANTS • PANCAKE BARS
• FOOD TRADE • TAKE AWAY • BAKERY • PASTRY
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ABBEY
Chapelle
Saint-Aubert
Office de Tourisme - B. P. 4 - 50170 Le Mont Saint-Michel
Tel. 02 33 60 14 30 - Fax 02 33 60 06 75 - E-mail: ot.mont.saint.michel@wanadoo.fr
Tour Gabriel
WC
WC
Tourist Office
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www.ot-montsaintmichel.com
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W O R LD H
O ND I AL •
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United Nations
Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
E • P AT R IMO
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay
inscribed on the World
Heritage List in 1979
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ENTRANCE
Tourist Office
Town Hall
Maritime and
Ecology Museum
Archeoscope
Parish Church
Tiphaine’s House
Museum of History
Entrance Abbey
Photographs courtesy of: A. Mauxion - B. Rivière - Hulin - O.T.M.S.M - C. de Kerpel
2008 - Mont Saint-Michel et sa baie © T. Seni - CDT50 - X - CMN - Davy
Commune
du Mont Saint-Michel
Map/Illustrations: Barbot A. - Imp. Malécot: 02 33 60 10 61
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LE MONT SAINT-MICHEL
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TOURIST OFFICE
Village
History
Founded, according to tradition, following three dreams St Aubert, bishop of Avranches, had in
the year 708, from the outset Mont Saint-Michel was a great pilgrimage centre.
The pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand.
In the 11th century, the Romanesque abbey church was founded over a set of crypts where the rock
comes to an apex, and the first monastery buildings were built up against its north wall.
In the 12th century, the Romanesque monastery buildings were extended to the west and south.
In the 13th century, a donation by the king of France, Philip Augustus, in the wake of his conquest of Normandy, enabled a
start to be made on the Gothic section of the “Merveille”: two three-storey buildings, crowned by the cloister and the refectory.
In the 14th century, the Hundred Years War made it necessary to protect the abbey behind a set of military constructions,
enabling it to hold out against a siege lasting 30 years.
In the 15th century, the Gothic Flamboyant chancel replaced the Romanesque chancel of the abbey church.
Finally, work continued up till the 18th century to build the abbey living quarters which make up the south front of the abbey.
After being used as a prison during the Revolution and the Second Empire, the abbey was turned over to the Historic
Monuments department in 1874, since when it has been open to the public all year round.
Since 1969, a monastic community has provided a permanent spiritual presence as well.
The
Abbey
The
The abbey, a monument of international reputation is one of the main
attractions in the Mont-Saint-Michel
visit. It offers the visitor a glorious
view over the bay.
Resting on the top of the Mont-SaintMichel rock, twenty rooms can be
visited either with a guide, alone or
with a conference guide for a longer
tour. The brothers and sisters of the
Jerusalem Community are a spiritual
presence which have supported the
abbey with their prayers since 2001.
Gastronomy
Souvenirs
In this mediaeval town, men and
women uphold the tradition of the
shopkeepers of the Middle Ages who
for over a thousand years have looked
after visitors and pilgrims in search
of a memento of their stay at the
Wonder of the West.
Specialities include copperware,
pottery and chinaware.
Mont Saint-Michel is also famous
for its hotels and restaurants, with the
traditional omelette, leg of lamb, and
local specialities of fish and seafood
from the Bay.
Street
At the entrance, through the Bavole
Gate, built by Gabriel du Puy in
1590, then following the single street,
“Cour de l’Avancée”.
On the left, the Burghers’ Guardroom
(early 16th century), currently the
Tourist Information Office. On the
right, the “ Michelettes ”, English
bombards recovered in 1434. The
Boulevard Gate (late 15th century).
The boulevard or barbican with its
embrasures and loopholes. The King’s
Gate where the portcullis is visible.
Above this gate, the King’s House,
today the Town Hall. The arcade house
on the right, a pretty timber-framed
house. The artichoke house straddling
the street. The Siren’s house. The
parish church begun during the 11th
century and completed in the 17th
century with its baptismal fonts, its
silver statue of St Michael and its
chevet over the street. Lastly begins
the Grand Degré stairs, offering a
majestic prelude to the “Merveille”,
with a view over the vast expanses
of sands.
Museums
The museums in the village of Mont Saint-Michel recall the history
of the place, with historical re-enactments ; old collections (weapons,
paintings, sculptures, watches) ; a unique collection of 250 old model
ships ; explanation of the tidal phenomenon.